N.Y. marked 11th anniversary of 9/11 attacks with a simple ceremony.
While there was no master of ceremonies and no speeches or readings were planned, many family members made tearful statements—in English, Spanish and Italian—as they named their own loved ones.
"We miss you Sunday mornings, when you would wake us for breakfast," said Allison Adams, speaking to her late husband, Patrick. "We miss that."
"Cheers, Dad," said Peter McGinley.
"Your crazy Irish spirit lives on, Ma," said Larry McGovern.
Last year's 10th anniversary was a major milestone that coincided with the opening of the 9/11 Memorial. President Barack Obama and former President George W. Bush attended the nationally televised ceremony.
The 9/11 Museum was supposed to have opened in time for this year's anniversary. But construction on the project has been held up by a dispute between Mayor Michael Bloomberg and the governors of New York and New Jersey.
Monday evening, city and state officials announced that they had reached a deal to resolve the nearly year-long impasse. The Port Authority, which is controlled by the two governors, will resume construction on the museum as soon as the end of this month.
Family members read the names of the dead, accompanied by music, on the 9/11 memorial plaza between the waterfalls now marking footprints of the two towers.
While there was no master of ceremonies and no speeches or readings were planned, many family members made tearful statements—in English, Spanish and Italian—as they named their own loved ones.
"We miss you Sunday mornings, when you would wake us for breakfast," said Allison Adams, speaking to her late husband, Patrick. "We miss that."
"Cheers, Dad," said Peter McGinley.
"Your crazy Irish spirit lives on, Ma," said Larry McGovern.
Last year's 10th anniversary was a major milestone that coincided with the opening of the 9/11 Memorial. President Barack Obama and former President George W. Bush attended the nationally televised ceremony.
The 9/11 Museum was supposed to have opened in time for this year's anniversary. But construction on the project has been held up by a dispute between Mayor Michael Bloomberg and the governors of New York and New Jersey.
Monday evening, city and state officials announced that they had reached a deal to resolve the nearly year-long impasse. The Port Authority, which is controlled by the two governors, will resume construction on the museum as soon as the end of this month.
Read more: http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10000872396390444554704577644053333702124.html?mod=WSJ_NY_MIDDLETopStories
The pictures of airplanes flying into buildings, fires burning, huge structures collapsing, have filled us with disbelief, terrible sadness, and a quiet, unyielding anger. These acts of mass murder were intended to frighten our nation into chaos and retreat. But they have failed; our country is strong.
A great people has been moved to defend a great nation. Terrorist attacks can shake the foundations of our biggest buildings, but they cannot touch the foundation of America. These acts shattered steel, but they cannot dent the steel of American resolve.
America was targeted for attack because we're the brightest beacon for freedom and opportunity in the world. And no one will keep that light from shining.
Today, our nation saw evil, the very worst of human nature. And we responded with the best of America -- with the daring of our rescue workers, with the caring for strangers and neighbors who came to give blood and help in any way they could.
Immediately following the first attack, I implemented our government's emergency response plans. Our military is powerful, and it's prepared. Our emergency teams are working in New York City and Washington, D.C. to help with local rescue efforts.
Our first priority is to get help to those who have been injured, and to take every precaution to protect our citizens at home and around the world from further attacks.
The functions of our government continue without interruption. Federal agencies in Washington which had to be evacuated today are reopening for essential personnel tonight, and will be open for business tomorrow. Our financial institutions remain strong, and the American economy will be open for business, as well.
The search is underway for those who are behind these evil acts. I've directed the full resources of our intelligence and law enforcement communities to find those responsible and to bring them to justice. We will make no distinction between the terrorists who committed these acts and those who harbor them.
I appreciate so very much the members of Congress who have joined me in strongly condemning these attacks. And on behalf of the American people, I thank the many world leaders who have called to offer their condolences and assistance.
America and our friends and allies join with all those who want peace and security in the world, and we stand together to win the war against terrorism. Tonight, I ask for your prayers for all those who grieve, for the children whose worlds have been shattered, for all whose sense of safety and security has been threatened. And I pray they will be comforted by a power greater than any of us, spoken through the ages in Psalm 23: "Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I fear no evil, for You are with me."
This is a day when all Americans from every walk of life unite in our resolve for justice and peace. America has stood down enemies before, and we will do so this time. None of us will ever forget this day. Yet, we go forward to defend freedom and all that is good and just in our world.
Thank you. Good night, and God bless America.
President George W. Bush
September 11, 2001
Statistics From September 2002, Source: CNN & Reuters
| The Pentagon & Flight 93 Washington & Shanksville | The World Trade Center New York City | ||
| Total Deaths All 9/11 Attacks | 3,030 | *Total Deaths WTC 9/11 Attack | 2,801 |
| Total Injured All 9/11 Attacks | 2,337 | Total Injured WTC 9/11 Attack | 2,261 |
| Total Deaths 9/11 AttackThe Pentagon (Ground) | 124 | Firefighter Deaths WTC 9/11 Attack | 343 |
| Total Injured 9/11 AttackThe Pentagon | 76 | Police Deaths WTC 9/11 Attack | 75 |
| American Airlines Flight 77 The Pentagon | 64 | American Airlines Flight 11 WTC North Tower | 92 |
| United Airlines Flight 93 Shanksville, PA | 40 | United Airlines Flight 175 WTC South Tower | 65 |
| *In December 2002 the Total Deaths from the WTC Attack was revised to 2,792. | |||
*9/11/2001 Statement by President Bush in His Address to the Nation.
THE PRESIDENT: Good evening. Today, our fellow citizens, our way of life, our very freedom came under attack in a series of deliberate and deadly terrorist acts. The victims were in airplanes, or in their offices; secretaries, businessmen and women, military and federal workers; moms and dads, friends and neighbors. Thousands of lives were suddenly ended by evil, despicable acts of terror.
The pictures of airplanes flying into buildings, fires burning, huge structures collapsing, have filled us with disbelief, terrible sadness, and a quiet, unyielding anger. These acts of mass murder were intended to frighten our nation into chaos and retreat. But they have failed; our country is strong.
A great people has been moved to defend a great nation. Terrorist attacks can shake the foundations of our biggest buildings, but they cannot touch the foundation of America. These acts shattered steel, but they cannot dent the steel of American resolve.
America was targeted for attack because we're the brightest beacon for freedom and opportunity in the world. And no one will keep that light from shining.
Today, our nation saw evil, the very worst of human nature. And we responded with the best of America -- with the daring of our rescue workers, with the caring for strangers and neighbors who came to give blood and help in any way they could.
Our first priority is to get help to those who have been injured, and to take every precaution to protect our citizens at home and around the world from further attacks.
The functions of our government continue without interruption. Federal agencies in Washington which had to be evacuated today are reopening for essential personnel tonight, and will be open for business tomorrow. Our financial institutions remain strong, and the American economy will be open for business, as well.
The search is underway for those who are behind these evil acts. I've directed the full resources of our intelligence and law enforcement communities to find those responsible and to bring them to justice. We will make no distinction between the terrorists who committed these acts and those who harbor them.
I appreciate so very much the members of Congress who have joined me in strongly condemning these attacks. And on behalf of the American people, I thank the many world leaders who have called to offer their condolences and assistance.
America and our friends and allies join with all those who want peace and security in the world, and we stand together to win the war against terrorism. Tonight, I ask for your prayers for all those who grieve, for the children whose worlds have been shattered, for all whose sense of safety and security has been threatened. And I pray they will be comforted by a power greater than any of us, spoken through the ages in Psalm 23: "Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I fear no evil, for You are with me."
This is a day when all Americans from every walk of life unite in our resolve for justice and peace. America has stood down enemies before, and we will do so this time. None of us will ever forget this day. Yet, we go forward to defend freedom and all that is good and just in our world.
Thank you. Good night, and God bless America.
President George W. Bush
September 11, 2001
