The Town of Gander has issued a statement responding to concerns being expressed about having the U.S. government represented at next week’s 9/11 25th anniversary ceremonies.

U.S. Ambassador Pete Hoekstra is among the dignitaries who will be in Gander next week.

The town says it recognizes the concerns being expressed and understands why people feel strongly, given the current relationship between Canada and the United States.

However, it says September 11th and the events that took place at that time is “bigger than politics, personalities or titles.” The town says Gander’s story related to 9/11 has never been about politics, but about people.

The airport town took in thousands of so-called plane people 25 years ago who needed help, and the community stepped up to do so. It’s in that spirit, the municipality says, that it is approaching next week’s commemoration ceremony.

The town says it hopes that the focus remains on the nearly 3,000 lives lost, the people forever affected, and the humanity that brought people together 25 years ago.