America remembers Sept. 11 attacks 11 years later

A Marine Honor Guard lays a wreath in front of the Wall of Names at the Flight 93 National Memorial during observances commemorating the 11th anniversary of the Sept. 11 attacks Sept. 11, 2012, in Shanksville, Pa. / Getty Images

Updated at 1:29 p.m. ET

(CBS/AP) NEW YORK - Americans marked the 11th anniversary of the Sept. 11, 2001, terror attacks Tuesday in familiar but subdued ceremonies that put grieving families ahead of politicians and suggested it's time to move on after a decade of remembrance.

As in past years, thousands gathered at the World Trade Center site in New York, the Pentagon and Shanksville, Pa., to read the names of nearly 3,000 victims killed in the worst terror attack in U.S. history.

But many felt that last year's 10th anniversary was an emotional turning point for public mourning of the attacks. For the first time, elected officials weren't speaking at the ceremony, which often allowed them a solemn turn in the spotlight, but raised questions about the public and private Sept. 11. Fewer families attended the ceremonies this year, and some cities canceled their remembrances altogether.

"I feel much more relaxed" this year, said Jane Pollicino, who came to ground zero Tuesday morning to mourn her husband, who was killed at the trade center. "After the ninth anniversary, that next day, you started building up to the 10th year. This feels a lot different, in that regard. It's another anniversary that we can commemorate in a calmer way, without that 10-year pressure."

Meanwhile, Marisol Torres clutched a photo of her cousin, New York firefighter Manuel DelValle Jr., as she walked into the memorial plaza in lower Manhattan for the somber ceremony. Torres told CBS New York station WCBS-TV the ceremony is as tough as it was after the first year.

"I wish I could say it gets easier, but it doesn't," said Torres. "I think you learn to live with your grief so in some sense it gets easier but you sort of learn to carry that around with you."

DelValle was 32 years old when he was killed in the collapse of the World Trade Center.

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As bagpipes played at the year-old Sept. 11 memorial in New York, family clutching balloons, flowers and photos of their loved ones bowed their heads in silence at 8:46 a.m., the moment that the first hijacked jetliner crashed into the trade center's north tower. Bells tolled to mark the moments that planes crashed into the second tower, the Pentagon and a Pennsylvania field, and the moments that each tower collapsed.

President Obama and first lady Michelle Obama observed the moment in a ceremony on the White House's south lawn, and then laid a white floral wreath at the Pentagon, above a concrete slab that said "Sept. 11, 2001 — 937 am." He later recalled the horror of the attacks, declaring, "Our country is safer and our people are resilient."

(At left, watch the president's speech at the Pentagon)

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Victims' families in New York tearfully read the names of the attack victims, often looking up to the sky to talk to their lost loved ones."Rick, can you hear your name as the roll is called again? On this sacred ground where your dust settled?" said Richard Blood, whose son, Richard Middleton Blood, Jr., died in the trade center's south tower. "If only those who hear your name could know what a loving son and beautiful person you grew to be. I love you, son, and miss you terribly."

Thousands had attended the ceremony in New York in previous years, including last year's milestone 10th anniversary. A crowd of fewer than 200 swelled to about 1,000 by late Tuesday morning, as family members laid roses and made paper rubbings of their loved ones' names etched onto the Sept. 11 memorial. A few hundred attended ceremonies at the Pentagon and in Pennsylvania.

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Commuters rushed out of the subway and fewer police barricades were in place than in past years in the lower Manhattan neighborhood surrounding ground zero. More than 4 million people in the past year have visited the memorial, which became more of a public space than a closed-off construction site.

(At left, watch a time-lapse video of One World Trade Center)

Families had a mixed reaction to the changing ceremony, which kept politicians away from the microphone in New York for the first time. Charles G. Wolf, whose wife, Katherine, was killed at the trade center, said: "We've gone past that deep, collective public grief." But Pollicino said it's important that politicians still attend the ceremony.

"There's something missing if they're not here at all," she said. "Now, all of a sudden, it's 'for the families.' This happened to our country — it didn't happen only to me."

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And Joe Torres, who put in 16-hour days in ground zero's "pit" cleaning up tons of debris in the days after the attacks said another year has changed nothing for him.

"The 11th year, for me, it's the same as if it happened yesterday," said Torres, whose sister-in-law was killed in the attacks. "It could be 50 years from now, and to me, it'll be just as important as year one, or year five or year ten."

60 Photos

11th anniversary of 9/11 attacks

In Jersey City, N.J., across the Hudson River from Lower Manhattan, Lynne Russo Linale came to Liberty State Park Monday to remember her brother, one of 749 New Jerseyans killed in the attacks.

"It's as if it was the first anniversary and every one in between," Russo Linale told WCBS-TV.

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[belfastlad12]

its funny how life works, i am from n.ireland americans for many many years give millons of us dollars to fund the ira,as a result of the money from the good people of the us sent,the ira was able to buy the ira guns,semtex,rpgs, over 3 and a half thousand people died,and many americans didnt bat as much as an eye lid,there is a saying in life,what goes around comes around,to all you people from the us,dont get on your high horse just cause trouble came your way,the rest of the world has been paying for people from the us helping support trouble they know nothing about long before 911 was ever thought up,,,,,,in short usa welcome to our world......what happenend on 911 was awful heart breaking and uncalled for and should not of happened,but you people in the usa really need to take alook around the world see the hurt and pain that the us has brought to many thousands of people,then ask yourself do i care about the rest of the people in the world?and if you do then why for over 30yrs did the us send so much money to help support a group of killers that killed thousands? or was it a case of not going on where i live not my problem???????? what goes around comes around

[HM8432]

The radical Muslims remembered 9/11 too...by storming our embassy, burning our flag, and murdering our diplomats!

[baser13]

The attacks were in retaliation to an a American film insulting their prophet Muhammed not justifiable but it goes back to my point of Anarchy is not the answer. We should have as an international community helped overthrow their oppressive dictators but not before addressing underlying divisions and ill sentiments. We also cannot condemn whole countries and religions for the actions of Extreme Radicals. For millenia we have fought over Religions with all sides aiming to impose each others beliefs, again I think we should not perpetuate what has been sown. Prosecution to the full extent of the law will bring those directly responsible to justice unfortunately the insensitivity displayed by the film producer is shared by many and unless we mature, unless we stop acting morally superior and become it occurrences such as yesterday will be the norm. Imagine if the film "Passion of the Christ" portrayed Jesus Christ negatively as a violent Gatsby, we would have Mr. Gibson ??? Who knows and I for one hope we do mature, we do develop virtues on which morals can grow.

[belfastlad12]

its funny how life works, i am from n.ireland americans for many many years give millons of us dollars to fund the ira,as a result of the money from the good people of the us sent,the ira was able to buy the ira guns,semtex,rpgs, over 3 and a half thousand people died,and many americans didnt bat as much as an eye lid,there is a saying in life,what goes around comes around,to all you people from the us,dont get on your high horse just cause trouble came your way,the rest of the world has been paying for people from the us helping support trouble they know nothing about long before 911 was ever thought up,,,,,,in short usa welcome to our world......what happenend on 911 was awful heart breaking and uncalled for,but you people in the usa really need to take alook around the world see the hurt and pain that the us has brought to many thousands of people,then ask yourself do i care about the rest of the people in the world?and if you do then why for over 30yrs did the us send so much money to help support a group of killers that killed thousands? or was it a case of not going on where i live not my problem???????? what goes around comes around

[marcie10000]

It was just theater by the PNAC. And when you finally figure out the theater, they've moved on with a new play. RIP victims.

[BWB2020]

"...The worst of them, the Pentagon, the neo-conservatives at the Pentagon, as the CIA was coming in saying, 'al-Qaeda's going to attack,' said, 'Oh, this is just a false flag operation..."

Now it is finally out, the Pentagoons themselves admitting to that which many of us suspected from day one.

Inside job.

Now can we bring the Bush admin up on charges, or will we have to continue to fight for it for the next few years?

I know Mr. Obama has been read the riot act, and is too afraid for the lives of his family to go after them, but with enough public pressure, we can get this done, Bush can't assassinate all of us.

[netjunkie1]

Tennant was a hero wasn't he?

[Guest2012CBS]

For all you spouting off political messages, you can do that tomorrow, September 12th. Today, September 11th, is for remembering the loss of family members and friends, the bravery of first responders, and the humanity in all of us.

[netjunkie1]

Actually, Memorial day is, but it wasn't always so, before the 20th century, it was a day to remember the civil war dead.

[TimeToEvolve]

What we should remember about 911 is that America became the terrorists by letting our leaders go crazy after that happened. We laid waste to 2 countries in the Middle East and we let the war criminals Bush and Cheney get off scot free. Their imperial terrorist invasions pretty much destroyed the American economy. We need to remember this so it doesn't happen again.

[kevboom]

I agree we should remember the victims, but you are right we should also remember our economy was destroyed by reacting to the terrorist act in a reckless manner. The terrorists won when we started a 11-year war we are still waging today, to the tune of hundreds of billions of dollars that could have been spent on American education, health care, infrastructure, job growth, and public relations in the Arab world which would have far greater benefits than 11 years of bombing runs. Shameful response. Yes, drone attacks to take out terror camps make a lot of sense, but occupying Arab countries that have ZERO chance of adopting democracy for a decade? Ridiculous.

[netjunkie1]

Hold it a second.
While the war cost allot, it wasn't the cause of our recession.
The cause of our recession was the loss of jobs due to outsourcing during the entire Bush administration.
George Bush gave tax breaks to the richest of america, while starting wars without accountability as the BANKERS in America made their move to destroy our economy. The FBI had warned Bush about the major bankers defrauding the public, but as a puppet, he ignored the warnings as he did of Bin Ladin's coming attack on America.

[technocoffee]

Muslims...lovers of peace, tolerance. We now cannot have worldwide sporting/musical events nor travel by air, sea or train without smothering security-thanks to muslims. We never have, nor never will have peace in the Middle East, thanks to endless efforts to destroy Israel-by muslims. We can criticize, joke about & analyze all religious-except muslims. We are all living in the ruined neighborhood called Earth, hostage to the threats & violence by the worldwide gang of thugs called muslims

[spirittoo]

Muslims? I think not. That's the bs the corporate news and the government is pushing, but those of us that have investigated the matter knows Muslims had nothing to do with 911 other than being the scapegoat. The mossad/cialqaeda was behind 911. The evidence is clear. People are waking up to what really happened that day so the corporate media pushes the "It was Muslims" propaganda.

[technocoffee]

Al Qaeda, Osama bin Laden and many muslims rejoiced & took credit for 9-11-but now hide behind the conspiracy idiocy because they became pariahs in the world for loving the death & destruction of 9-11. You investigated the matter? So did all the families who lost loved ones on the planes & buildings. So did the authorities who found all the plans & who heard the hijackers on the radio,& passengers who called their loved ones from the planes telling their loved ones what was happening. If muslims didn't do 9-11 (BS!!) they WERE caught doing the Munich '72 attack, 7-7 attack in London, Underwear & Shoe bomber wanna-be's, 11-26 in Mumbai, Madrid bombings, threats on Salman Rushdie & the Danish cartoonists-plenty of other violence to be proud of & then deny.

[josephp5]

It appears that CBS always puts its most controversial stories under "CBS This Morning" because that site does not allow public comments.

Why is the story about Panetta's remarks regarding the Seal on "CBS This Morning?" Sure he was interviewed by Norah O'Donnell which was broadcast on "This Morning." But so was the Paul Ryan interview, and that made it to the front page.

And the story regarding the New York Times article that says that Bush was more negligent about 9-11 intel is also on "CBS This Morning."

These are controversial stories, and people should have the right to comment on them. It's amazing to me how CBS manipulates its news website to avoid controversy.

Another example---At 2:40PM today there was a story entitled, "Obama, Romney mark 9/11 anniversary." But as of 3:30PM, all links to that story completely disappeared! It's not under "Politics," it's not under "US." It can only be found by searching, but a link to the story is nowhere to be found.

Same with links to the Idaho plane crash during the Republican event.

[john92021]

I've found the same thing, it's molding what people get exposed to. Teacher having sex with 16 year old was on for 3 days.

[marcie10000]

joseph - that's why I posted here (about the PNAC theater). That's really weird how there is no comment section under the CBS article about the NYT article. Good observation, Joseph!

[sakhter5]

I don't know exactly why the Sept.11th attacks affect me more today than they did that day 11 years ago. Over the past few years, I've become increasingly sensitive to any mention or footage of that day. I find it harder to digest, harder to comprehend.

Maybe because I was just 18 then and too young and naive; maybe because I was not aware of all the tragedy that would follow in its wake; maybe I was too angry from the violent and hateful backlash against Muslims; maybe the 24 hour news cycle of fear & speculation got to me; maybe it's because moving away from NJ and the tri-state area caused me to feel a special affection for the area, or maybe it's because I've transitioned from a new student on campus, to a professional in an office. Something about thinking about all those people just commuting to work, going into the office early, traveling for a business trip, something about it just seems so much more real to me now.

There was a tiny glimpse into it last year when we had to evacuate the building because of the DC earthquake. At some point when we were filing down the stair well with the security alarms going off, it just hit me how truly awful it must have been that day for employees filing out of smoking buildings that would eventually collapse. I had always had great respect for the rescuers, the fire fighters, police, and port authority workers, bravery like that is easy to rightly recognize. But something about now, makes me hurt more than ever for those people just going to work.

There's something so incomprehensible about anything more than a traffic jam or a problem with IT upsetting your work day. Maybe then, the interruption of routine was almost welcomed by me. But today, I can appreciate the true nature of such an unholy disruption. I'll never forget that drop in my stomach, the fear for my father commuting into the city, the look on my cousin's face describing seeing people jump from the towers, the absolute panic of not being able to reach anyone. But the relief I felt after knowing that everyone I knew was ok was short-sighted of me. I stayed glued to the news for days and days. But while I absorbed the information, it did not penetrate me the way it does today.

Usually, the passage of time heals some of the sadness. But in this situation, after all the politics, fears, backlash, wars, and controversies have had their time to die down and fade away, all that's left is the sadness. So I agree with those who say today is the day to volunteer, tell your loved ones you love them, honor those who served and died, but it's also a day to just feel, and it's taken me a long time to understand that.

[baser13]

my sentiments exactly.. Well written on all levels

[jfarris441708]

9/11 pisses me off! They pulled a fast one on us! I don't like being bamboozled, hornswaggled, duped or fooled.
It is game on though, truth is so powerful. We are winning, they are desperate, the gig is up, people are waking up, people with critical thinking will save this country from these foreign invaders - these traitors from within. No standing army can defeat the American people, they know the only way in to infiltrate the gov't, false flag us, dupe us into destructive pointless wars. That is what is happening folks, study history, do the research, do the math.
The good news is that only 3% of the population fought in the Revolutionary war, and way more than that are armed and awake. You dumb chumps can live in denial all you want, cuddle into your little comfortable cacoons and suckle your mommy's teat. Let the big boys who know the truth and are fired up by this challenge stand in front and lead the charge, you little teenie tiny testicled whimps who believe this criminal gov't can just sit the sidelines and watch!!
Little punks, little hoes like to talk smack, where will you be when the new world order heads roll?
You liars are weak living in denial. The new world order is up on us big time, they got points, they got some tough D....but guess what? We've got the ball...and we got one big sum bit in the backfield...we've got truth running the ball, we've got God almight calling the plays, and you can't deal with that NWO.

[TimeToEvolve]

If we let any more Republicons "run" the government we will definitely get hit again. Like last time. They are incompetent at governing and believe that all that matters is money and consumption.

We have to remember 911 as a set-up by Republicon Neocons for political and financial gain. Of course when you have a party owned and run by a few billionaires and oil corporations you will get more and more excuses for war and occupation.

[nottblu]

Is anyone else at this site sickened by the blather this person spews? This person transcends party lines and ideologies, the hateful false lies spewed by this person day in and dayo out are not only tiresome they are deeply insulting to any true american citizen.