All the pain and emotion of September 11th was etched on the face of a US firefighter's daughter as she broke down in tears at a ceremony in London yesterday to remember the victims.
Amanda Worrell (21) was overcome with emotion during the remembrance service at the US embassy in London.
Her pain was clear as she spent most of the service in tears and pleadingly looking up at the sunlit blue skies over the city as the victims of the terrorist attacks were remembered.
Clutching a small US flag, Amanda's eyes and face became red, raw with the emotion of the mournful service at Grosvenor Square.
Dressed in black and wearing a pin-badge of the Stars and Stripes flag linked with the Union Flag, she dabbed away her tears with a tissue as she paid her own personal respects.
Attending the US embassy service was both painful and important for her, Amanda said. Throughout the service, she was recalling the pain that her father Tim (43) a firefighter based 45 minutes outside of Washington DC, still suffers.
"He was working that day but he was not involved," she said. "He lost friends in New York. He lost lots of his brothers who have given everything. It has been very hard on him.
"It is very difficult when you see your dad as a very strong figure but who is crushed and emotionally devastated by what has happened."
Ms Worrell, who is on a 15-week study programme at London's Imperial College, felt compelled to attend the service despite her own security fears and knowing it would be an emotional drain.
She said: "Some people were scared to come because of places being targeted. I think being scared comes second to being here today."
She was comforted by three friends who made the journey with her.
The US ambassador to Britain thanked "America's truest friend" for the support since the September 11th atrocities.
Mr William Farish told the memorial service that he would never forget the sympathy and empathy shown by Britons following America's "darkest hour".
He said: "We gather here this morning to remember more than 3,000 people, citizens of more than 80 countries, who were lost to us one year ago today.
"We pay tribute to their memories, and to the families and friends who keep those memories alive.
"We pray that they all may find peace.
"We gather here today in solidarity - united in our determination to wipe terrorism from the face of the earth.
"This solidarity emerged from our shock at the horror and devastation at the World Trade Centre, at the Pentagon and in a Pennsylvania field."
Mr Farish added: "We gather here today to say thank you again to all those who rushed to our aid in America's darkest hour and to all those who have stood firmly by our side ever since." - (PA)