Firefighters from NZ and NY commemorated the fallen from 9/11 and others who perished while on duty in Auckland today. Video / NZN
New Zealand firefighters and a small group of their New York counterparts have walked up the Sky Tower in central Auckland on the 16th anniversary of 9/11.
Before the walk up the Sky Tower, the names of the firefighters who died during 9/11 were read out.
New Zealand firefighters whohad lost their lives while on duty were also honoured.
Much of the raw emotion of 9/11 has subsided but it's a day that won't be forgotten, retired New York fire chief Peter Hayden said.
New Zealand and New York firefighters march to the SkyTower for the Firefighters 9/11 Memorial Climb today. Photo / Dean Purcell
Firefighter Brian Powell is given a tag to carry with the name of a firefighter killed in the line of duty. Photo / Dean Purcell
"It's very gratifying for me to see 16 years later, on the other side of the world, that the memory of the 343 firefighters that died on 9/11 is remembered.
"That's the promise we made to the families and to everyone in the city - that we will always remember and we will not forget."
Hayden was deputy fire chief at the time of the attacks and he said the memory of what happened that day and the recovery effort that followed would stay with him for the rest of his life.
"It was a very difficult day, it was a very dark day for the fire department and its members and its family, but also for New York City and the rest of the country," he said.
"Much of the raw emotion has subsided but it's still a very important day of reflection in New York and throughout the States."
New Zealand and New York firefighters mass outside the Sky Tower in central Auckland for the 9/11 Memorial Climb. Photo / Dean Purcell
Before the walk up the Sky Tower, the names of the firefighters who died during 9/11 were read out. New Zealand firefighters who had lost their lives on duty were also honoured. Photo / Dean Purcell
Firefighters make their way up the SkyTower for the Firefighters' 9/11 Memorial Climb. Photo / Dean Purcell
New Zealand and New York firefighters at the start of the 9/11 Memorial Climb. Photo / Dean Purcell
Firefighters on the way up the SkyTower with heavy gear. Photo / Dean Purcell
