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Actor Billy Crystal has been named as a director for the organisation set up to raise funds to build a memorial to victims of the 11 September attacks.

The 60-year-old joins the board of the National September 11 Memorial and Museum foundation, alongside former Analyze This co-star Robert De Niro.

The New York site will include two waterfalls where the twin towers of the World Trade Centre previously stood.

Crystal took part in a 9/11 benefit concert a month after the 2001 attacks.

'Strength and resolve'

The event, which also featured Sir Paul McCartney, David Bowie and Sir Elton John, raised more than $35m (£17.5m) for families of those who died in the terror attacks.

Crystal said he was "honoured" to join the organisation and have the opportunity to "contribute to the creation of a permanent national memorial".

The star, who was born in New York, added that the project was "an opportunity to demonstrate New York's strength and resolve, whilst ensuring that the memories of the lives lost are never forgotten".

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The Dive
By Orato Editor Heather Wallace
11/06/06
On September 11, 2001, the world changed forever when America suffered the most catastrophic terrorist attack in its history. Two commercial airplanes crashed into the World Trade Centers that morning, not only killing thousands, but also leaving a deep scar on the world psyche. Over the past five years, international tensions have continued to rise, and we feel no closer to a peaceful resolution of our global differences. Rather, it seems we may be on the brink of another disaster, and the peace movement remains practically underground and off the radar. It was a day, a week and a year we can't forget. In remembering what we lost, can we salvage a sense of humanity in time to prevent another grand tragedy? Moments of silence are not only to remember the fallen, but also give us a chance to change our direction.

My alarm went off at 7 a.m. The first words I heard over the radio were, “Two planes have crashed into the World Trade Centers.” I jumped to my feet and turned on the T.V. in an attempt to bolster my understanding of an indecipherable tragedy. I was not prepared for what I saw. It took me a moment to realize it was not a movie on the screen. "Oh my god. Oh my god." It was all I could say. I did not understand. I sat down on my bed, my knees bouncing up and down uncontrollably, tears spilling out and streaming down my face.