British Knight to speak at ceremony honoring Scotland
British Consulate General Sir Thomas Harris, recently knighted by Queen Elizabeth II, will be the principal speaker at North Wildwood's fifth International Day program honoring Scotland on Saturday, May 4, at 1pm outside the city's Community Center, Ninth and Central Avenues.
Scotland will the the 11th foreign nation to be honored since North Wildwood began its International Day programs six years ago as a tribute to the heritage of area residents.
The Scottish flag will be raised at the ceremony and will be flown throughout the year on the city's Avenue of the Flags (Central Avenue), joining the flags of Australia, Greece, Israel, Italy, Canada, Ireland, Taiwan (the Republic of China), Sweden, Norway, Poland, Finland, the United States and the United Nations.
North Wildwood's International Day ceremony will also feature Scottish music, a talk by Scot Sam Moore who heads the committee, and a reception to follow in the Community Center. The ceremony is free and open to the public.
Sir Thomas, based in New York City, officially became a Knight Commander of the Order of the British Empire (KBE) on December 31, 2001. He was honored for his efforts on behalf of the families of 67 Britons killed in the tragedy of the World Trade Center last September 11.
Last February he attended a ceremony at Buckingham Palace where former New York Mayor Rudolph Guiliani received an honorary knighthood for his help and support for bereaved families from the September 11 disaster.
Sir Thomas, a graduate of Cambridge University, has widespread international credentials. He has served in Tokyo, Washington and Lagos and from 1993 to 1997 he was British ambassador to Korea.
