A TWEED firefighter formed part of a guard of honour to remember those who lost their lives in the September 11 bombing of the twin towers in New York in 2001.

Chris Perrin was in New York to compete in Rugby 7s at the 2011 World Police and Fire Games earlier this month.

He was invited to a memorial at St Patrick's Cathedral at Manhattan to remember the firefighters who lost their lives in the World Trade Centre.

"There were thousands of firefighters from around the world with family members of those who were lost," Mr Perrin said.

"There were 343 American flags at the service, one for each firefighter that had fallen on that day.

"There were all the families there, and half of the New York fire department."

Mr Perrin said after a decade there were many firefighters who didn't know anyone lost on 9/11, but there are reminders everywhere.

"Every fire house has pictures up of the firefighters who died on that day, and every fire truck has their names on it."

Mr Perrin said the Lower Manhattan fire stations lost entire crews when the World Trade Centre towers came down.

The tributes on the 10th anniversary of 9/11 ended for Mr Perrin last night with a candlelight vigil close to ground zero.

It's a more solemn occasion for Mr Perrin than during the New York games.

The rugby team, made up of mostly Sydney firefighters, represented NSW and walked away with silver medal behind the winning team from Calgary, Canada.

Mr Perrin said he was just happy to participate in the games.

"I haven't played rugby in a while and I had to get back in the gym a little bit," he said.