SKIES WERE grey in New York City, at the Pentagon in Washington and at a crash site in a Pennsylvania field yesterday where now-familiar ceremonies honoured the nearly 3,000 people who were killed in terrorist attacks on September 11th, 2001.
“From this day forward, we will safeguard the memories of those who died by rekindling the spirit of service that lit our city with hope and helped keep us strong,” New York mayor Michael Bloomberg said at a ceremony in Manhattan.
At a plaza adjacent to ground zero in New York City, families gathered, with umbrellas whipping inside out, while the names of the Trade Center victims were read, pausing for moments of silence at the minutes the aircraft crashed into the towers and the buildings fell.
People involved in volunteer work across the US joined relatives of victims to read the names of those lost in the twin towers.
One reader represented a group called New York Says Thank You, which sends volunteers from New York City each year on the attacks anniversary to help rebuild communities around the country affected by disasters as a way to send thanks for the help that came to New York City after September 11th.
Other readers were from local soup kitchens, advocacy groups and well-known service organisations including the American Red Cross and the United Way.
As has become tradition, relatives who read names called out greetings and messages of love to the lost.
“We miss you; life will never be the same without you. This is not the rain,” said Vladimir Boyarsky, whose son, Gennady Boyarsky, was killed. “This is the tears.”
Relatives and friends of victims were allowed to visit the plaza for the September 11 memorial that is under construction. It is expected to be partially complete and open for the 10th anniversary.
Vice-President Joe Biden laid flowers at the memorial at the site of the World Trade Center attack. Before he spoke, Mr Biden joined families who were laying flowers in a reflecting pool on the site where the towers once stood.
Meanwhile, the Coast Guard conducted a training exercise in the Potomac River near the Pentagon amid the commemorations, sparking confusion that scrambled FBI agents and led the nearest airport to ground flights. –(AP)