OTTAWA - U.S. President Barack Obama has written Stephen Harper to thank Canada for its help during the 9-11 crisis, and for its continuing help in fighting terrorism.
The letter was delivered as the prime minister designated September 11th a national day of service to commemorate the terror attacks.
Obama wrote that in one of America's darkest moments, Canada stood by its neighbour and showed itself to be a true friend.
He paid special tribute to Gander, Newfoundland for taking in 67-hundred stranded airline passengers.
Prime Minister Harper is in New York this weekend to take part in 9-11 commemoration ceremonies.
Today he'll meet privately with the families of the 24 Canadians who were killed along with nearly three-thousand others when the four hijacked planes crashed to earth.
Tomorrow -- on the 10th anniversary of the attacks -- he'll join a public memorial service at the site of the former World Trade Center buildings.