On 9/11 2012 it was exactly eleven years since the terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center in New York, at the United States military headquarters the Pentagon, and in Pennsylvania.

To mark this anniversary and remember all victims of the attack along with all other victims of terrorism around the world, a ceremony was held at NATO's Headquarters Supreme Allied Commander Transformation. During the ceremony all NATO flags were flying at half-mast.

"An unprecedented terrorist attack that left nearly three thousand people dead remains an open wound in the heart of not only our American friends, but all Allies and Partners" said Deputy Supreme Allied Commander Transformation, Polish Army General Mieczyslaw Bieniek, who presided over the ceremony. "...for it was not only an attack on the United States, but on all those nations and people, that stand for freedom, democracy and peace in the world" Bieniek continued.

The 2001 attacks on the US led to the first ever activation of "Article V", that is at the core of the North Atlantic Treaty, the foundation of the NATO Alliance. Article V says that an attack on any one of the member countries shall be regarded as an attack on them all.

The complete remarks of General Bieniek can be found here.

To see a video of the anniversary event click here.