Monday, October 4, 2010

9/11 in Warsaw

Polish custom is that people remember the dead by laying wreaths at a grave or other memorial site. The United States, represented by Tim and someone from the Public Affairs office (so sorry, I don't remember her name), had been invited to attend the Warsaw 9/11 memorial ceremony. Several other officials also layed wreaths, followed by a speech, fire engine sirens, and a trumpeter.
There were six Poles who were killed in the attacks and it is their names on the memorial. A woman and small girl lit a remembrance candle after the ceremony. This is done in cemeteries and at memorial sites by friends and family members.

The Polish fire deparment uniform eerily reminds me of the book burners in Farenheit 451.

I found these candles and flowers in front of the US Embassy later that day.