A haven of natural beauty and regeneration is to become home to a memorial to the victims of the world's worst terrorist attack.

On Tuesday, the world will remember the fallen of September 11, and in Bermuda the nation will pay its own silent tribute. In the midst of the Botanical Gardens, church leaders, politicians and the public will come together to reflect on the tragedy at the unveiling of the Island's first permanent memorial to 9/11.

More than 2,974 people were killed when 19 al Qaeda terrorists hijacked four passenger jets on the morning of September 11, 2001. Two aircraft flew into the World Trade Center in New York while another hit the Pentagon and a fourth crashed into a field in Pennsylvania.

Among the dead were Boyd Gatton and Rhondelle Cherie Tankard of Bermuda. Mr. Gatton, 38, was working on the 97th floor of the World Trade Center with the Fiduciary Trust Company when the attacks took place. Ms Tankard, an employee with Bermuda-based insurance company AON, had started work there just two days earlier.

Six years on, a one ton steel and concrete structure will serve to remind us of those lives lost. The memorial depicts the Pentagon and Twin Towers, and features a piece of the World Trade Center. It was initiated and funded by US Consul General Gregory Slayton and his wife Marina, in partnership with AON, and built at Bermuda College.

Mr. Slayton did not wish to disclose how much the memorial cost yesterday, and said the US designer also wished to stay "anonymous". He said: "It's our personal thing and we're thrilled to do it.

"We think this memorial is very important. This was by far the worst terrorist attack in American history, and not only did Americans die, but British and Bermudians.

"My wife and I felt it would be a way of honouring all the victims of the tragedy and reminding all of us that freedom isn't free, as in the words of Winston Churchill.

"Also, we hope the memorial will serve as a reminder of all the things that bind out countries together, the eternal bonds that link us — friendship, family, faith, respect for rule of law, democracy and civilisation. Hopefully even in the worst tragedies we can come together and move forward.

"It's my job while I'm here to help build those bonds, and I hope that they will continue to grow in strength so no matter what changes we face, we will face them together."

New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg, who also has a home on Bermuda, helped to facilitate the memorial's centrepiece. "Mayor Mike Bloomberg is a very gracious friend of ours and has provided for us a piece of the Twin Towers that will serve as a centrepiece of the memorial itself," said Mr. Slayton.

"In representing both the Pentagon, Twin Towers and our countries, it will remind people of the fact that freedom isn't free, and will draw our prayers for families of the victims. It will be a reminder that the partnership between Bermuda, Britain and the US is a long-standing one that will survive the worst blows."

Mr. Slayton said the anniversary of September 11 held its own personal resonance.

"On the evening of September 10, I flew on a United Airlines red eye. I got off in New York on the morning of September 11 and walked right by the same gate where the terrorists were boarding, unbeknown to me at the time.

"The next day I was scheduled to have lunch at the top of the World Trade Center and then the day after that, breakfast at the White House. If it had been a day earlier I would have been there. As it happened I was in Boston for a business meeting that day."

He said: "The world changed that day, more than any other single incident in our lifetime. I think it's a painful memory for all of us."

On Tuesday, Deputy Premier Paula Cox and Roman Catholic Bishop, the Most Reverend Robert Kurtz, will pay tribute to the fallen. Among those attending the 15-20 minute ceremony will be the families of Mr. Gatton and Ms Tankard.

"I never knew them but those two Bermudians were young, successful, doing great and then it all ended," said Mr. Slayton. "The whole point of the service is to keep it short and respectful to the memory of those who perished."

Privately Mr. Slayton said he and his family will then "pray for the victims and families of all the victims".

"We will certainly have a time of family devotion where we just sit and maybe read some scriptures and pray together, as it is a time that deserves to be remembered," he said.

"More than 2,000 innocent civilians lost their lives in the blink of an eye."

The public is invited to the unveiling of the memorial and remembrance ceremony at 5 p.m. on Tuesday. Those attending should use the South Road entrance to the Botanical Gardens.

Mr. Slayton would like to thank the following for their assistance: Joe Rego of AON; Minister of the Environment Neletha Butterfield; Tom Butterfield, head of Masterworks; Dr. Larita Alford and Llewellyn Trott of Bermuda College; and D and J Construction.