Posted on 09/11/2011 8:42:47 AM PDT by WesternCulture
A replica of the Twin Towers destroyed in the September 11 attacks will be built on a square opposite the Eiffel Tower in Paris to mark the tenth anniversary of the atrocity, organisers said Tuesday.
The Eiffel Tower itself will be illuminated by a special light show later the same day, "The French will never forget" group that is hosting a series of events next month said in a statement.
US ambassador to Paris Charles Rivkin will inaugurate the replica that will be constructed on Trocadero square, it said, adding that the 25-metre (82-foot) towers will bear the names of the people killed in the attacks.
"The French will never forget" was set up in 2003 by a group of French entrepreneurs living in the United States to try and ease the anti-French sentiment sparked by Paris's criticism of the US invasion of Iraq.
Nearly 3,000 people were killed in the 2001 attacks, 2,753 at the World Trade Center and the others in attacks on the Pentagon and in a hijacked plane that crashed in Pennsylvania.
As a European, I don't hesitate to admit much is wrong about the attitude certain people over here display towards the US, but still it is necessary for all of us, on both sides of the Atlantic Ocean, to realize that we are dependent on each other.
If we don't stand up, as one, against evil who will?
Western Civilization centers around the concept of freedom, the notion of the dignity of Man and idea of justice for all.
Chirac and George W Bush might have disagreed on invading Iraq. But Europeans in general don't disagree with all Americans who believe these intrinsic values that have formed the greatest, most vigorous culture on Earth, are worth dying for.
As individuals we are vulnerable.
As a united civilization we are invincible..
Thanks, Frenchie. For one day out of the year, I am proud to call you friend.
oui, oui!
I tell you ... when the French shine, they really shine. Let us not forget that they also gave us our Statue of Liberty.
Thank you, France.
I agree. Thank you France.
- The original, most beautiful, French name of that piece of art is “La Liberté éclairant le monde” meaning “Liberty Enlightening the World”.
Generally speaking, Europeans of today might not view USA in that manner, just like we Europeans don't view neither Europe or our respective European nations as a perfect model/perfect models for others to follow.
Still, I'd say the ideals mentioned above continue to lead Mankind and in the global struggle for freedom, America in many ways leads the World.
American spirit is admired throughout all of Europe, even by many of those Europeans who criticize different aspects of the US and most Europeans either wish to visit America at least once in their lifetime or have done so and have beautiful memories from there.
Our friendship is indeed strong enough to survive various disagreements and outbursts of thoughtless slander coming from “leaders” like Chirac or leftist European “intellectuals”.
They don't speak for us, but what we Swedes and other Europeans presently are doing side by side of Americans in places like Afghanistan speak for themselves.
USA is not alone.
God bless America from Europe!
About Bartholdi and the Statue of Liberty:
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