Obama Honors 9/11 Victims, Those Who Serve

As Ceremonies Mark Eighth Anniversary of Terror Attacks, President Says U.S. 'Will Never Falter' in Pursuit of al Qaeda

(CBS/AP)  Last Updated: 12:42 p.m. ET

Eight years after the 9/11 attacks, President Barack Obama said the nation "will never falter" in its pursuit of al Qaeda and its allies.

Mr. Obama placed a wreath under rainy skies at the Pentagon Friday in memory of those who died there on Sept. 11, 2001, as ceremonies marked the eighth anniversary of the terror attacks that killed in Washington, New York City and in a field in Shanksville, Pa.

"Eight Septembers have come and gone. Nearly 3,000 days have passed; almost one for each of those taken from us," the president said. "But no turning of the season can diminish the pain and the loss of that day. No passage of time and no dark skies can ever dull the meaning of this moment. So on this solemn day, at this sacred hour, once more we pause, once more we pray, as a nation and as a people."

President Obama said the nation came together as one after the terror attacks, "united not only in our grief but in our resolve to stand up for the country we love."

He said that renewal of common purpose is the strongest rebuke against the terrorist attackers.

"Today we honor the dead and speak to the survivors and loved ones whose lives are irrevocably changed on that terrible day eight years ago.

"Because of the great pinnacle of their sacrifice and because of the sacrifice of thousands more since that day we remain a strong and free nation," he said.

Special Section: September 11, 2001 - Eight Years Later

"Let us renew our resolve against those who perpetrated this barbaric act and who plot against us still. In defense of our nation, we will never waver. In pursuit of al Qaeda and its extremist allies, we will never falter.

"Let us renew the true spirit of that day: not the human capacity for evil, but the human capacity for good; not the desire to destroy, but the impulse to save and to serve and to build. On this first National Day of Service and Remembrance, we can summon once more that ordinary goodness of America to serve our communities, to strengthen our country and to better our world."

He then met with families of the victims at the Pentagon, where 184 people died.

CBS News correspondent Kimberly Dozier reports that, for many here, coming to work brings constant reminders of September 11 - from the memorial outside where the jetliner hit, in honor of those who died here, to the photos of some who were lost, staring down from the inner hallways, and the quilts and signs still posted, sent here by ordinary Americans to honor that sacrifice.

And every time the wounded from Afghanistan and Iraq visit these hallways, from Walter Reed or Bethesda Naval Hospital, that, says Dozier, is another reminder - the wars launched that day and afterward still continue.

Earlier, the president and Mrs. Obama stood at the South Lawn of the White House with heads bowed, and then hands on their hearts, as chimes rang out and the mournful sound of "Taps" filled the air, reports CBS News White House correspondent Peter Maer.

A new CBS News poll finds Americans are mixed on Mr. Obama's efforts to protect the country - around 25 percent feel the administration's policies have made the country more secure, but nearly as many feel the U.S. is less safe.

Marking his first 9/11 anniversary as president, Mr. Obama was joined by dozens of staffers including his chief of staff, the chef in his white coat, uniformed Secret Service guards and many others.

A steady rain stopped just as the simple and poignant White House ceremony began, Maer said, and as the last notes of "Taps," echoed across the lawn, it started pouring again.

Eight years after the terrorist attacks that killed nearly 3,000 people, many Americans are turning a national day of mourning into one of service.

Drawing on the spirit that spurred volunteers to rush to the burning World Trade Center on September 11, 2001, Americans looked for ways to help each other.

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Friday was the first time the anniversary was observed as a national day of service, following an order signed this year by President Barack Obama.

Teresa Mathai, whose husband, Joseph Mathai, died at the World Trade Center eight years ago Friday, planned to grieve at a morning wreath-laying ceremony in Boston and hear his name read out loud. Then she planned to install drywall at a low-income home in south Boston with Habitat for Humanity, one of thousands of volunteer efforts planned since Sept. 11 was declared a national day of service.

"Everyone has a different way of mourning," she said. "Some people keep it absolutely sacred. For me, this is something that gives us solace."

"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," said New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg said at a ceremony in lower Manhattan.


Hallowed Ground

Thousands were expected at now-familiar ceremonies in New York, at the Pentagon and at the crash site of United Airlines Flight 93 in Shanksville, Pennsylvania.

In New York, a smaller-than-usual crowd of just hundreds gathered under a veil of cold, steady rain to observe the anniversary of the worst attacks in the nation's history.

Families used rain jackets and umbrellas to fend off the downpour as bells tolled at nearby Trinity Church.

"It doesn't matter what kind of weather there is. I would be here either way. It's a way to come together and find a common place," said Elaine Dejesus of Clifton, New Jersey. She carried a framed photo of Nereida Dejesus, who was her sister and best friend.

Relatives and friends of victims were allowed on Friday to visit the plaza for the Sept. 11 memorial that is under construction. It is expected to be partially complete and open for the 10th anniversary.

New York City Police bagpipers and drummers lead the World Trade Center flag to the Ground Zero stage, where the names of the Trade Center victims were read, with pauses for moments of silence at the minutes the jetliners crashed into the towers.

People involved in volunteer work across the nation joined relatives of victims to read the names of those lost.

One reader represented a group called New York Says Thank You, which sends volunteers from New York City each year on the attack's 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 Sept. 11.

Other readers were from well-known service organizations including the American Red Cross and the United Way.

Some victims' relatives said they feared the emphasis on volunteerism would overshadow a somber day of remembrance for the nearly 3,000 people killed when hijacked jetliners crashed into the Trade Center, the Pentagon and a field in Shanksville, Pa.

Vice President Joseph Biden attended the ceremony at the World Trade Center site this morning.

Biden spoke during a pause in the reading of the names, telling the several hundred victims' relatives gathered that "there's a special fraternity for those of us who've lost spouses and children." Biden's daughter and first wife died in a 1972 automobile accident.

Before he spoke, Biden and his wife, Jill, joined some family members to lay flowers in one of the reflecting pools at the memorial.

The attacks killed 40 people in Pennsylvania, 184 at the Pentagon and 2,752 in New York.

This year, one new name will be read - a victim added to New York's death toll in January. The medical examiner's office ruled that Leon Heyward, who died last year of lymphoma and lung disease, was a homicide victim because he was caught in the toxic dust cloud just after the towers collapsed.

It's the second time the city has added to the victims' list someone who died long after Sept. 11, ruling that exposure to toxic dust caused lung disease.

Bells tolled throughout New York City for the first of four moments of silence - for when jetliners crashed into each tower and for when each tower collapsed.

Dejesus, wiping tears off her cheeks, said the anniversaries don't get any easier.

"For me, it's just the same as it was the first day," she said. "There are days I just sit there and cry. But I also remember the fun times and what she would want us to do."

At dusk, a tribute in light will shine two beams into the night sky, reports CBS News correspondent Chris Wragge.

In Pennsylvania, Former Secretary of State Colin Powell, former Pennsylvania Governor and Homeland Security Secretary Tom Ridge, and retired General
Tommy Franks were among hundreds of people gathered under gray skies in a field in Shanksville, Pennsylvania, the site where a United Airlines jetliner fell to Earth.

The names of the 40 passengers and crew were read at 10:03 a.m., the time the plane crashed.

Flight 93 was traveling from Newark, N.J., to San Francisco when hijackers took it over and directed it towards Washington, with the likely goal of crashing it into the White House or Capitol building.

Powell told victims' families that while their losses are painful, thousands of other lives were saved because passengers and crew fought back against the hijackers.

Powell said the 40 victims of Flight 93 are worthy successors to the heroes of U.S. battles dating back to the Revolutionary War.

"As much as we may try we can never truly grasp the emotions that must've gone through the hearts and minds of the passengers and crew as they realized the mortal danger they were in. The choice before them was clear and daunting. If they had any chance of survival they had to attack - not only to save themselves but to save hundreds if not thousands of their fellow citizens and to show the terrorists that they would never defeat us. They refused to let it just happen, they acted. Forty men and women, mostly strangers to each other, but representing the very best and most wonderful diversity that is America.

"The terrorists forced them to the rear of the plane thinking that would keep them under control and out of the way. But they misunderstood Americans. We fight back, we will never be cowed."

"They seized the moment and lost their lives in so doing," Powell said. "But not before forcing the monsters to abort the mission and crash in this field saving so many of their fellow citizens.

"And it is now our moment to act by marching steadfastly toward the goal of completing a memorial to these heroes of 9/11."

Jose Melendez-Perez, a customs agent credited with refusing U.S. entry to a man whom officials believe was supposed to be the fifth hijacker aboard the flight, was going to the site for the first time.

Former President George W. Bush had no public appearances planned Friday, and a spokesman said he would be working in his office during the morning. In a brief statement, he said he and his wife, Laura, were thinking of the victims and their families.

"We honor those who volunteer to keep us safe and extend the reach of freedom - including members of the armed forces, law enforcement officers, and intelligence and homeland security professionals," the statement said. "Their courage, service, and sacrifice is a fitting tribute to all those who gave their lives on Sept. 11, 2001. On this day, let us renew our determination to prevent evil from returning to our shores."

Yeah, Obama really honors all the victims of 9/11. He does it in conjunction with his idiotic Attorney General by putting the screws to our CIA agents for following all the leads to the scum who performed the deed. This country will have a heckuva time surviving four years of this administration. I thought Carter was bad but the Communists/Marxists are now in charge. Impeach Obama and vote out every member of Congress who has served two terms. Time to take back our country.

[jrj073000]

It's undoubtedly great to see him honoring these guys

http://adwido.com/view_content?vkey=e5d9a61eaa8efa8a5f74354996f6b638

[maxcoffee-2009]

I love this quote by Glenn Beck.

"you know it took me about a year to start hating the 9-11 victims' families? Took me about a year."

"And when I see a 9-11 victim family on television, or whatever, I'm just like, "Oh shut up!" I'm so sick of them because they're always complaining."

What a great man!

[salmoc44]

He also had a long diatribe about how close together Americans were just following 9-11 and how he wished that could happen again. To push this idea, he came up with his 9-12 project. Tomorrow, he'll be out trying to get Americans close together by having a bunch of teabagger type get togethers where wingers can call Obama a socialist bent on weakening and destroying America. It'll be a real Kumbaya kind of day.

[maxcoffee-2009]

I'm making what up?

[govmess]

He can go to NYC for dinner with his frowning wife, he can go to NYC to make a Cronkite memorial speech and he can't go to NYC to speak out against terrorism and memorialize Americans lost that terrible day in American history. What a great leader we have.

[salmoc44]

To the right, he's wrong if he doesn't. But, if he did, then the right would call that wrong too. They be outraged and would say he was using 9-11 politically to help himself. You guys whine too much.

[veritas_1212]

Many people died at the Pentagon too. Should they just be ignored year after year, govmess ?

[janeteleanor]

Obama is way out in left field on this 9/11 celebration. HE WANTS US TO HAVE ANOTHER 'EARTH DAY'. He just doesn't get it!!!!!!

[salmoc44]

So, you think it's wrong to provide service to other Americans today to honor the dead on 9-11? Why? Do you hate America and the Americans that live here?

[salmoc44]

Most of the people killed on 9-11 were city dwellers. A large majority of these were certainly liberals. If Cons truly believe what their leader, Rush Limbaugh, says, then these liberals hated America. Why do Cons feel so bad about 9-11 since it killed so many America haters?

[hermitdave]

WELL mister president every very rich owner of any company supplying weapons of war, including ceo's of the multinationals thank you for keeping the Cheney dog and pony show up there on the worlds stage. I am sure that as president you now know things about these two illegal invasions of innocent countries that you can not tell the ignorant masses. I guess considering what happened to your friend mister Jones, you will never be able to open a investigation of 9/11/01 with the intent of finding out what actually happened.

Heck Mister Obama you could do like Bush and go before the new commission holding hands with your VP. Do you wonder if someday the truth comes out, what part you might be given in history's story of America? When you sign by computer those letters to a family telling them their son or daughter were killed in either Cheney crusade, do you tell them they died to save America from total destruction by a rag tag group of CIA soldiers of fortune? Or just the same disgusting LIE the Cheney crime family used for 7 years?

[mjlewis6]

America elected a leader to replace the diminished Bush/Cheney Administration which mismanaged the war and essentially abandoned the Afghanistan theater in order to pursue other political agendas in Iraq.

We are still fighting the same war Bush promised on 9/14/09 to end on a day of our choosing...He chose not to prosecute the war in Afghanistan to a conclusion on the perpetrators of the 9/11 US attacks and refused to follow the Taliban into Pakistan.

No measure of success can be found in the Bush/Cheney Administration that are not touched with scandal. I know of no achievement/goal/objective/foreign policy/economic progress other than the appointment of the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court that Bush can claim without Abu Gharib, torture, renditions, violations of Geneva Conventions, invasion of US citizens privacy wiretapping, market collapse and the failure of SEC and Federal Reserve to act...coming to mind. Lest we forget the consequences of allowing unfettered power to reign in the hands of men fully committed to wielding it against us..'for our own sake,' I would recommend the Republican Party return to reasoned debate like Abraham Licoln who recognized that the right of revolution rests with the people when government becomes unbearable. So then, No tyranny imposed by one party or another can long survive if people are vigilant. Open your mind to reasoned debate and not shouting.... revolutions are messy and like war, should be strongly negotiated against their birth.

[BuddyBeanbags]

well said

[ivehadit9]

Yeah, while Osama bin Laden is still enjoying himself in a moment of triumph for 8 years and counting, because that smirky idiot GWB never bothered to capture him.

[wheresmycountry]

How do we turn the "birthers" into war protestors?

[PoliticalLies]

If Obama truly wants to Honor the Victims, then annihilate Iraq,Iran,And Afganistan. we have the power to, dont have to use nukes cause we have better WMD's so why not then no more terrorists fro there.

[JeffreyCourter]

I'm a soldier who was prompted to volunteer by events that caught our nation unaware exactly 8 years ago today. What's most troubling to me about this discourse is this...

As U.S. leaders and citizens apparently tire of the "inconvenient" realities halfway around the world in some distant land, and increasingly shift their attention toward pressing domestic issues (jobs, healthcare and an uncertain economy), Afghanistan becomes "so 10 years ago."

But, where does that leave us this year on 9/11? Are we really so collectively short-sighted that we don't remember New York City?

What are we to tell the innocent 3000 civilians who lost their lives on that fateful day? What do we tell their families? That those Americans died for absolutely nothing? That merely by going to work that morning, they deserved to die? Or that we simply find it no longer relevant enough to act in their defense?

I don't have the answers. And indeed, our leaders' goals, strategies and tactics may be imperfect.

But if we choose to forget because it's no longer "convenient" or "comfortable" to consider this war on terror a priority, we're not only abandoning our past, but we're also no doubt sealing the fate of OTHERS who will suffer in the FUTURE. It's only a matter of time.

I served in Afghanistan in 2007 - where HMMWVs displayed NYC skylines on their turrets, emblazoned with slogans like "Never Forget" and "I Love NY." Trust me, soldiers remember why they're fighting the murderous Taliban.

And make no mistake - al Qaeda terrorists will continue to celebrate 9/11 as a great victory. THEY will never forget. Neither should we.

Jeff Courter, Author
Afghan Journal: A Soldier's Year in Afghanistan
Book site - http://www.afghanistan-journal.com
Blog - http://www.lifeloveandtruth.com

[midlclass]

excellent post Jeff. maybe more people should read and repond in the same manner. instead of the political in fighting and finger pointing. 911 is not a political he said she said issue its' an american issue.Just remember and don't let it happen again.fight and kill if we have to! leave when it's done. remember and never forget!

[democracy1]

Jeff--I think you've made an excellent post and I would like to say Thank You for your service and that of your brethren.

I was working in NYC at the time of 9-11 (not on that day, though--dr appt) but I saw afterward the physical, and psychological toll that had been wrought.

I must confess that I was never a huge fan of President Bush, but when he called for Osama, dead or alive, and decided to invade Afghanistan due to the Taliban's support of Al Qaeda, I supported him entirely.

I was very disappointed, however, when President Bush chose to take our focus and attention off Afghanistan by the invasion of Iraq. I felt that it split our force and attention and was not necessary since Iraq had nothing to do with Al Qaeda.

To this day, I think that we are seeing the consequences of that decision in our inability to swiftly and forcefully see an end to victory in either sphere.

I truly believe that going into Iraq was a huge mistake because it split our forces and diminished their impact. If we had concentrated solely on Afghanistan, I believe we could have kicked some butt there. Of course, now we will never know.

I mourn the loss of the sense of unity that our country had following 9-11.

Again, thanks and respect for your service.

[thinkharder-]

Both of you are despicable representatives of American's. How dare you use this tribute as an excuse to spread your vitriolic hate for our president. no one, not even Obama, ever blamed America for what happened on that day, but you'd be a blind fool not to recognize ALL of the contributing factors...not just the ones that satiate your carnivorous hatred for muslims. Obama wants America to be safe...Bush wanted America to be right...that's the difference.

[DJ Jocher]

A scientific analysis of various samples of dust from the World Trade Center revealed red/grey chips physicists believe is unreacted thermitic material or nanothermite, a highly engineered compound developed in the 1990s that is only capable of being produced in hi tech laboratories. Just research the paper. A 3rd, 47 story skyscraper, WTC Building 7, collapsed in the afternoon on 9/11 at free fall speed even though it was not hit by a plane and only had small, minor fires as compared to dozens of examples in skyscraper history of buildings which have suffered infernos for over 24 hours and never collapsed. CNN reported it's collapse over 1 hour before the actual event and BBC News reported it 20 minutes too early. Why was there no wreckage inside the impact crater in Shanksville? Where did all the mass of a fully loaded 757 dissapear to? Why is it that when a small 2 person Cesna plane flies over restricted airspace over the capitol that it's immediately intercepted by fighter aircraft but when 4 commerical airliners are flown off course and stop responding no intercepts are made? Where was NORAD on 9/11 and why did it fail to respond when it had trained for attacks on the Pentagon and World Trade Center and should have been able to carry out on that training?

Those are just a fraction of hundreds of unanswered questions as far as the attacks go; questions that the majority of Americans aren't aware of because the mainstream media never covers them. So all that's left is just a basic principle of human psychology, the more anybody is exposed to 1 viewpoint, the more hostile and closed off they become to another viewpoint. 80,000 New Yorkers are calling for a new, independent, impartial investigation that finally answers all of the unanswered questions. www.nyccan.org. www.ae911truth.org. RE - INVESTIGATE 9/11.

[Lawyers-Guns-n-Money]

What about the voice of Geddy Lee?
How did it get so high?
I wonder of he speaks like an ordinary guy.
(I know him and he does)
And you're my fact checking cuz

Hey, did you know the moon is made of green cheese whiz, the earth is indeed flat and the CIA planted the Zapruder film.

[Stevenapoli7]

I remember and mourn the victims. I also remember those who perpetrated these heinous acts.

[democracy1]

I was working down in NYC at that time, although not specifically on 9-11 because of a Dr's appointment that day. And we were located in the Union Square area, which is roughly a mile and a half north of Ground Zero, so no one from my company was in any imminent danger from the attacks that day.

But of course, no one could have known that at the time--the 1st attack came at
8:46 when people were probably still on the subway or walking and couldn't have seen or heard anything.

By the time of the 2nd attack at 9:03, most people were probably in our office and certainly would have at least heard the low-flying jet as it traveled south over Manhattan. We had some south-facing windows on our floor that would have given a view of the WTC. As I said, I wasn't in the office that day, but people told me that they gave the order to evacuate and go home by 9:30. The subways and Grand Central were shut down, so they had to walk over 100 blocks north to the 125th Street station in order to get a northbound train out of the city.

My boss was in his mid-30's and an ex-Marine who kept himself in good shape. Once they got on the train, he passed out. I'm about eight years older, a small female and not nearly in as good shape as he was. I thank my lucky stars that the Dr's office had that particular opening for me that day.

My condolences to all who had to go through that, but particularly for those who were in or near the WTC and to the 1st Responders. And especially to those who lost their lives that day, including those on Flight 93 and at the Pentagon. I'm brushing away the tears as I write this, even though it's eight years later.

One thing that I have very strong memories of and that I miss was the sense of unity that our country had following those moments. Our parents' and grandparents' generation were able to unite or, at the very least, agree to disagree. It seems that we've lost that. And I mourn the loss of that as well.