OTTAWA – Prime Minister Jean Chrétien today presented United States Ambassador to Canada Paul Cellucci with the first copy of A Diary Between Friends, a commemorative book which celebrates the many acts of kindness and generosity shown by Canadians to our American neighbours in the hours and days following the tragic events of September 11. Deputy Prime Minister Herb Gray and Heritage Minister Sheila Copps joined the Prime Minister in making the presentation.
A Diary Between Friends is about Americans and Canadians brought together by tragedy and bound together by compassion and friendship,” said the Prime Minister. “Before September 11th, we had a friendship with no equal in the world. We were the very best of neighbours. In one brief, terrible instant on September 11th our feelings of shared loss and solidarity told us the simple truth: that we are family.”
“On behalf of all Americans, I thank the people of Canada for this extraordinary gift, ” said U.S. Ambassador Cellucci. “September 11 is a date that will forever live in my memory because it is the day I learned the true meaning of friendship. Tragedy has brought us together as never before and it has once again shown us that the differences that divide us are far less important than the ties that bind us.”
A Diary Between Friends weaves together a collection of letters, narrative and more than 125 colour photographs to tell the stories of weary and frightened travellers who found safe harbour in Canada. It begins the moment thousands of airline passengers and crew became “guests” of tiny hamlets in Newfoundland and Labrador and in many other cities across the country.
The book does not focus on tragedy and fear, but rather on hope and solidarity. It is an opportunity for Canadians to engage in discussion about this difficult period in our history and to celebrate the strength of the human spirit and the heroism of many individual Canadians.
All profits from sales of the book will be donated to CARE Canada / CARE Afghanistan to provide primary education, in community-managed schools, to more than 25,000 students, 40% of whom are girls.
A Diary Between Friends is the result of a partnership between the Government of Canada and Alliance Atlantis Communications Inc., and its partner McClelland & Stewart Ltd. The book will be available in both official languages.
The Millennium Bureau of Canada have contributed to this project which will provide lasting benefits into the new millennium. This unique work immortalizes the stories of friendship and solidarity between Canadians and Americans. These stories illustrate our common desire to overcome threats to our freedom, and are for our children, a wonderful example of solidarity between peoples.
