For many, Fiduciary's interfaith Memorial Service at New York's Cathedral of St. John the Divine was an important milestone in the long process of grieving and healing. Nearly 5,000 people attended the ceremony on October 16, which included tributes to each of the victims, the lighting of candles in their memory, music and religious reflections representing major faiths. A memorial book was specially created for the ceremony, including photos of each of the victims, as well as tributes to each from employees and family members.

One-Year Observance Ceremony

On the one-year observance of September 11, 2001, Fiduciary's New York employees, Fiduciary employees who had since relocated to other Franklin offices, families of the victims and guests were invited to attend a special ceremony on the outdoor 7th floor terrace overlooking Rockefeller Center. Employees from Fiduciary's U.S. regional offices were also invited to listen in by phone.

Company leaders' remarks
Fiduciary President Bill Yun and CEO and Chairman Anne Tatlock addressed the group and offered their reflections on the company's 9-11 experience and the lives of those lost. Anne Tatlock's remarks included a passage from "The Names," a poem by former American poet laureate, Billy Collins, which includes some of the names of Fiduciary's 9-11 victims.

Reading of the Names
A moment of silence was held at 9:02, the time when the second plane hit the South Tower of the World Trade Center. A group of employees from across the company then read the names of our deceased colleagues, business partners and friends—94 names in total. As each name was read, a white rose was placed in a vase on either side of the podium, symbolizing the life of each person.

The Memorial Flag
Following the reading of names, Terence Farley, a Fiduciary employee, presented Anne Tatlock and Bill Yun with an American flag that had been carried on a U.S. Air Force mission in Afghanistan earlier that year by Terence's brother-in-law, an Air Force pilot. The flag was dedicated to the Fiduciary Trust employees who lost their lives on September 11. A copy of the Air Force certificate that accompanied the flag was given to each Fiduciary employee as a keepsake of the event.

After the memorial ceremony, the families were invited to Fiduciary's offices for an open house and refreshments. Many had an opportunity to meet or catch up with their loved ones' friends and colleagues.

September 11, 2002, was a business day, but certainly not a day for business as usual. While some employees chose to continue work at their desks, others met with their former colleagues' families, took time to reflect in their own way on the meaning of the 9-11 anniversary in their lives, or shared the day with friends and family.

Fiduciary Trust Memorial Dedication Ceremony

In January 2003, Fiduciary Trust introduced its 9-11 memorial in the company's New York City headquarters at 600 Fifth Avenue, unveiling a memorial plaque, carved in mahogany, honoring the memory of the friends and colleagues who died, as well as a crystal sculpture of the lower Manhattan skyline at night.

More than 600 people, including employees, guests, and more than 50 families who lost loved ones, attended the ceremony and reception.

Anne Tatlock gave the ceremony's opening remarks, including an excerpt from a client's letter of condolence, praising the professionalism and dedication of the employees who had managed the client's relationship with the firm. She also announced that Fiduciary would establish a September 11 web archive that you are visiting today.

Following the unveiling of the memorial plaque, a chaplain from the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey offered a prayer of hope and remembrance. The memorial plaque was then lifted from its display stand and carried to its permanent location in a lighted alcove in Fiduciary's 7th floor reception area.

Henry Johnson, executive vice president, then spoke about the Memorial Project, including the many suggestions received from families and employees that led to the creation of Fiduciary's 9-11 memorial. Michael Magdol, vice chairman, closed the ceremony, reading an excerpt from the Gettysburg address and declaring Fiduciary's commitment to honoring those lost by maintaining the values and integrity they represented.

Dedicated Artwork: "Looking South"—A Painting of World Trade Center Views

In addition to the memorial, a painting by New York-based artist Daniel Kohn has been commissioned by Fiduciary for installation in late 2003. Provisionally titled "Looking South," the four-story-high painting will depict an abstract view of New York Harbor as seen from the upper floors of the World Trade Center.

Artist Daniel Kohn
Daniel Kohn was an artist in residence at the World Trade Center in 1998-1999 as part of the Lower Manhattan Cultural Council's World Views program. While working on the 91st floor of the North Tower, he painted a series of images that abstracted the views from the high floors. His works depict what so many employees, clients and friends remember—the enormous sky above and water below, the extraordinary light that filled the offices and the sense of limitlessness that encompassed the view from the high floors of the Trade Center.