Andre Colin Cox, the lone Vincentian to die in the 2001 terrorist attacks on the World Trade Centre in Manhattan, was remembered in a tree planting and memorial ceremony last Saturday at the Botanic Gardens.
The event was organised by the St. Vincent and the Grenadines Red Cross Society in association with the Ministry of Tourism and Culture.
At the ceremony, President of the St. Vincent and the Grenadines Red Cross Society Bernard Marksman said that this specific act of terrorism has changed the landscape of the world. He added that September 11 has had serious impact on both our local and world economies.
Marksman described the September 11 crashing of two planes into separate towers of the World Trade Centre as cowardly. “We are gathered here to commemorate the life of a Vincentian that would have fallen as a result of that dastardly act of three years ago,” said Marksman.
He added that Andre’s mother Princina Cox was instrumental in the formation of the junior Red Cross group in Lowmans.
Also present at the ceremony was Minister of Tourism and Culture and Honorary Vice President SVG Red Cross Rene Baptiste who in a moment of reflection urged Vincentians to believe in the power of God in difficult times.
“There is a thin line that separates us from the fundamentalism and wickedness that we have seen displayed before us,” said Baptiste.
Jennifer Eustace, wife of the Leader of the Opposition Arnhim Eustace, who is also the godmother of Andre Cox, read a citation in which she recalled Andre being born on May 11 1972. She said that Andre was a keen athlete and a voracious reader and a past student of the Kingstown Preparatory School and the St. Vincent and the Grenadines Grammar School. She recalled that Andre was actively pursuing work in computer science at the World Trade Centre when he died.
Reverend Dean Patrick McIntosh said the prayer during the dedication ceremony which was followed by the unveiling of the plaque by Andre’s mother Princina who also planted the tree and delivered the vote of thanks.