America Remembers Sept. 11 Victims

7th Anniversary Of Terrorist Attacks Marked By Familiar Rituals In New York, D.C. and Pa.

(CBS/ AP)  The nation paused Thursday to mark the seventh anniversary of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks with heartfelt remembrances at the World Trade Center site, the dedication of a memorial at the Pentagon and a planned visit to ground zero by the presidential candidates.

Relatives of victims killed at the World Trade Center gathered in a park in lower Manhattan for readings from dignitaries and a recitation of the names of the dead. Later Thursday, Sens. Barack Obama and John McCain were due at ground zero to pay silent respects.

"Today marks the seventh anniversary of the day our world was broken," Mayor Michael Bloomberg said at the start of the ceremony, calling Sept. 11, 2001, a "day that began like any other and ended as none ever has."

The ritual in New York included moments of silence in the morning at 8:46, 9:03, and 9:59 and 10:29 - the times when two hijacked jets slammed into the trade center buildings and the twin towers fell.

Services were also held in Pennsylvania and at the Pentagon, where a new memorial was dedicated at a ceremony attended by President Bush. The Pentagon Memorial contains 184 benches - one for each victim that will glow with light in the night.

Among the speakers at the New York ceremony were three who were young children when their fathers went to work at the World Trade Center seven years ago and never came home. The children are now about 10, 11 and 13.

"I remember playing in the yard with him. I remember him pulling my wagon. He was strong. He always made me feel safe," said Alex Salamone, wearing the soccer jersey of his father, John. "I wish I could remember more, but we were so young when he died."

Family members and students representing more than 90 countries that lost victims on Sept. 11 read the names of 2,751 people killed in New York. At the same time, family members descended to the nearby footprints of the twin towers and paid their respects to their lost loved ones.

Relatives of victims began arriving at dawn at ground zero, now a huge construction site. American flags were draped over silent cranes, and some families held signs saying "We miss you," "We love you" or "You will never be forgotten."

The ceremony included many tearful remembrances as family members reflected on the amount of time that has passed since 2001 and expressed their support for American troops.

"They took from us innocent lives in the names of their God, and it seems some people have forgotten what happened here seven years ago," said Rosaria Reneo, sister of victim Daniela R. Notaro. "Our lives are filled with pain and always will be. Thank you to all the men and women fighting for us."

The family of Sept. 11 victim Michael Diehl went to ground zero wearing white T-shirts bearing his photo and 9/11/01.

"It's still very hard for us to come here. It doesn't get any easier," said Diehl's sister-in-law, Norma Linguito. "I just wish they'd get the memorial up so we can have something, a marker, to remember everyone."

McCain and Obama planned to visit the site after the ceremony concluded Thursday afternoon. The candidates agreed weeks ago to pull their campaign ads for the day and were appearing together Thursday night at a forum on volunteerism and service.

Former Mayor Rudy Giuliani spoke at the ceremony - as he has every year in New York - drawing applause from some in the crowd. As the names were being read, Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff, New Jersey Gov. Jon Corzine and New York Gov. David Paterson walked down a ramp to lay flowers in the pit where the towers stood.

Last year's reading by Giuliani, then a presidential candidate, drew protests from family members who said the city was ill-prepared for the terrorist attacks under his leadership and questioned whether he should be there while running for the White House.

Many families had no opposition to McCain and Obama's visit, but some questioned whether the visit was necessary. "It's probably going to be more commercial. This really should be a day for the people who lived and worked down here," said Jane Wixted, who lost her police officer son Glen Pettit on Sept. 11.

But Pettit's former colleague, Chris DeAngelo, was glad they were coming. "One of them is going to lead this nation," he said. "And for that reason, both should come here to see what happened."

At the Pentagon memorial dedication, former Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld mourned the airline passengers and those who "one morning kissed their loved ones goodbye, went off to work and never came home."

The Pentagon memorial is the first of three major Sept. 11 memorials to be completed. The 2-acre park, located at the spot where American Airlines Flight 77 crashed into the Pentagon's west wall, consists primarily of 184 cantilevered benches, each bearing a victim's name.

The president and first lady marked the anniversary during a moment of silence on the South Lawn of the White House, then went to the Pentagon where the president spoke at a service.

In Pennsylvania, several hundred people gathered to read the names of 40 victims killed in Shanksville where Flight 93 came down after passengers reportedly stormed the cockpit to thwart terrorists' plans to use that plane as a weapon like the others. McCain was among those honoring the victims.

Memorials are years away from being built in Pennsylvania and New York. As in past years, two bright blue beams of light will shine at night on the New York City skyline, in memory of the fallen towers.

The New York ceremony included one more victim name than last year. The city restored Sneha Philip, a woman who vanished on Sept. 10, 2001, to its official death toll this year after a court ruled that she was likely killed at the trade center.

As the nation marked the seventh anniversary of 9/11, most Americans believe the U.S. is adequately prepared to deal with another terrorist attack against the country, according to a new CBS News poll.

In the poll, 52 percent said they thought the U.S. was adequately prepared, compared to 39 percent who said the U.S. was not prepared. This is the first time since March 2003 - right after the U.S. invasion of Iraq - that a majority held that opinion. As recently as last September, after the revelations of a failed terrorist plot in London that summer, 56 percent said the U.S. was not adequately prepared.

[maverickgrn]

The highjackers learned to fly in the US. They were ONLY interested in learning to fly WITHOUT computer assistance. They showed no interest in learning the "normal" way to fly. This was the first clue that they were terrorists.

Not a politically useful point, i guess. But, THIS IS THE KIND OF THING WE SHOULD BE LOOKING OUT FOR!

[hbevis]

HUSSEIN plans to GUT the MILITARY if he becomes PRESIDENT,,,

http://www.youtube.com/w
atch?v=dl32Y7wDVDs

he will basically disban our military and hault all new weapons programs,,,

and leave the usa defenseless to our enemies,,,

Posted by trrrorislamj at 12:35 AM : Sep 12, 2008

HE WILL DO THE SAME THING THAT BILL CLINTON DIE WHEN HE GOT IN, ONLY WORSE.

[trrrorislamj]

HUSSEIN IS IN THE POCKET OF FASCIST NAZI TERRORISLAM,,,

New evidence has emerged that Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama was closely associated as early as age 25 to a key adviser to a Saudi billionaire who had mentored the founding members of the Black Panthers.
In a videotaped interview this year on New York%u2019s all news cable channel NY1, a prominent African-American businessman and political figure made the curious disclosures about Obama. (See Video Clip Below)
Percy Sutton, the former borough president of Manhattan, off-handedly revealed the unusual circumstances about his first encounter with the young Obama.
%u201CI was introduced to (Obama) by a friend who was raising money for him,%u201D Sutton told NY1 city hall reporter Dominic Carter.
%u201CThe friend%u2019s name is Dr. Khalid al-Mansour, from Texas,%u201D Sutton said. %u201CHe is the principal adviser to one of the world%u2019s richest men. He told me about Obama.%u201D
http://www.newsmax.com/newsfront/obama_sutton_saudi/2008/09/03/127490.html?CFID=1173319&CFTOKEN=52737457

HUSSEIN plans to GUT the MILITARY if he becomes PRESIDENT,,,

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dl32Y7wDVDs

he will basically disban our military and hault all new weapons programs,,,

and leave the usa defenseless to our enemies,,,

[hbevis]

Thanks people, for bring a lot of things to light. I have seen and read much of these things. I just wanted everyone to think back, SO THAT WE DO NOT FORGET....

[hbevis]

Seven years ago today we were hit very bad. And there still seems to be something fishy about the whole thing.

I am convinced that over time, before 9-11, there were explosives planted in those two TOWERS. This could have been done in the weeks, months or years before the planes hit. Every thing that I have seen and read points to explosions being heard when the tower started to fall.

Anyone want to expand on that?

[nvorr]

You all can have it for the evening. It''s getting late. I want to rest up for all the interesting posting that I''m sure I''ll see tomorrow.

[nvorr]

Posted by nvorr at 09:58 PM : Sep 11, 2008

lol, Well, you have to admit what a ''''defining'''' the issues kinda statement it is! He''''s gonna make the government ''''cool'''' again! Who''''s he talking to 2nd graders?

Posted by RowdyHeckNo at 10:02 PM : Sep 11, 2008
-----------------------------

He''s speaking their language, and they''re listening. My 18 year old is excited about voting.

[rowdyheckno]

You just can''''t be happy unless you''''re b!tchin'''' about something. Obama has motivated people of all ages to want to be involved. If he can help them, especially the young folks, to maintain this interest, they will do what both candidates want in regards to service.


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Posted by nvorr at 09:58 PM : Sep 11, 2008

lol, Well, you have to admit what a ''defining'' the issues kinda statement it is! He''s gonna make the government ''cool'' again! Who''s he talking to 2nd graders?

[nvorr]

believe I heard Obama is having new Balls surgically installed. Palin pretty much tore them off after his lipstick joke attempt.

Posted by freeanswers at 08:18 PM : Sep 11, 2008
---------------------

When are you getting yours?

[nvorr]

lol, Obama says it''''ll be his job to make government ''''cool'''' again!

I mean, c''''mon....this is street punk talk from the 60''''s! The new youth must be laughing their arses off! What happened to the rappa hero?

Posted by RowdyHeckNo at 09:44 PM : Sep 11, 2008
-----------------

You just can''t be happy unless you''re b!tchin'' about something. Obama has motivated people of all ages to want to be involved. If he can help them, especially the young folks, to maintain this interest, they will do what both candidates want in regards to service.

[rowdyheckno]

lol, Obama says it''ll be his job to make government ''cool'' again!

I mean, c''mon....this is street punk talk from the 60''s! The new youth must be laughing their arses off! What happened to the rappa hero?

[nvorr]

PALIN WANTS TO START A WAR WITH RUSSIA!

Posted by Pregnanteen2

Good Sarah has learned you better stand up to Bully''''s..

Obama wants to take his Barbie Doll Collection and play nice with Putin..

Yesterday Russia was talking about targeting Poland. You better take a hard line with Russia or they will invade the old east block and take then over again..

You go girl we don''''t need wimps as Commanders in Chief...

Posted by mbskoczen at 08:28 PM : Sep 11, 2008
------------------------

Sarah IS a bully! You seem very ready to sacrifice more lives and families.

[gun_tower]

Today is also the day, 35 years ago, when the US-backed Right Wing military overthrew the elected president of Chile, Salvadore Allende.

The subsequent years of death, tirture and disappearances killed many thousands of Chileans, and scores of Americans as well.

We will not forget that other September 11, either.

[ajmarine111]

PALIN WANTS TO START A WAR WITH RUSSIA!

Posted by Pregnanteen2 at 08:22 PM : Sep 11, 2008




The governor advocated for the admittance of Georgia and Ukraine into NATO.

When Gibson said if under the NATO treaty, the United States would have to go to war if Russia again invaded Georgia, Palin responded: "Perhaps so. I mean, that is the agreement when you are a NATO ally, is if another country is attacked, you''re going to be expected to be called upon and help.

[mbskoczen]

My prayers to all those who have died or been hurt my the action of a few Islamic madmen...

[mbskoczen]

PALIN WANTS TO START A WAR WITH RUSSIA!

Posted by Pregnanteen2

Good Sarah has learned you better stand up to Bully''s..

Obama wants to take his Barbie Doll Collection and play nice with Putin..

Yesterday Russia was talking about targeting Poland. You better take a hard line with Russia or they will invade the old east block and take then over again..

You go girl we don''t need wimps as Commanders in Chief...

[ajmarine111]

I believe I heard Obama is having new Balls surgically installed.

Posted by freeanswers at 08:18 PM : Sep 11, 2008


He should be use to it by now, after what Jesse said he wanted to do to him.

[pregnanteen2]

PALIN WANTS TO START A WAR WITH RUSSIA!

[ajmarine111]

I wanna pay my respects to those 3000 innocent American workers who thought 9/11/2001 was going to be just another working day.

Posted by BagdadsHere4 at 08:10 PM : Sep 11, 2008



Al Qaeda did not just attack us, they attacked people from all over the world.


The overwhelming majority of casualties were civilians, including nationals from over 90 different countries.

[mrjake7]

From the southside of Chicago was the badest man in town, the ladies called him tree top lover but the men just called him sir! Where is Mooshell and her brother Leroy Brown? Probably having surgery to get their feet out of their mouth!