It is a night of quiet. It is a night of unity. It is a night of remembering. It is a night of tears.

Despite the solemness of this gathering, the sky is lit by millions of stars of light. Beneath these bright beacons of strength and hope stand the World United. This 2002 Equinics is dedicated to the memory of September 11, 2001: The Day The World Cried.

As one 10 year old Australian child so aptly wrote:

"The 11th of September 2001 attack on America destroyed not only the two World Trade Center towers in New York City, a chunk of the Pentagon in Washington, and caused uncountable loss of life, but it also made a 10 year old girl in Australia no longer feel safety. Your tears are my tears and your fear is now also my fear".

We ask that you all join hands with whomever is near you and listen while we re-live some of those most horrific minutes.

We Remember

We thank our brethren for sharing in our tragedy and for offering us the hope that comes as the night breaks, for we gather strength from your strength.

As we light the Equinic Torch, we ask that all of you light a candle for freedom and in memory, because, it is only in being United that We Stand.