9/11 remembrances scheduled in cities, towns across U.S.

By Jay Richter
Washington File Staff Writer

Washington -- Memorial events and remembrances will be held throughout the United States on Thursday, September 11, to honor the victims of the terrorist attacks that occurred on that date two years ago.

White House spokesman Scott McClellan said that September 11, 2003, will be a "somber day" in the United States to remember, reflect and honor victims of the "horrific and brutal attacks of September 11, 2001", that struck the World Trade Center in New York and the Pentagon just outside Washington, and that resulted in the crash of a United Airlines plane in Pennsylvania.

On September 11, President and Mrs. Bush will participate in a service of prayer and remembrance at St. John's Church in Washington that will be followed by a moment of prayer on the South Lawn of the White House with staff and invited guests. The moment of silence is scheduled for 8:46 A.M. EDT, the exact time when the first plane struck the Twin Towers of the World Trade Center.

Across the Potomac River from Washington, Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld will commemorate the occasion by participating in a 9:30 a.m. wreath-laying ceremony at Arlington National Cemetery. Then at 11:00 a.m., Rumsfeld; Air Force General Richard Myers, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff; and Dennis Hastert, speaker of the House of Representatives, will join Pentagon chaplains and employees in a flag presentation and stained glass window dedication ceremony in the Pentagon chapel.

New York City will commemorate the second anniversary of the terrorist attack with ceremonies at the World Trade Center site on the morning of September 11. Mayor Michael Bloomberg, New York State Governor George Pataki, former Mayor Rudolph Giuliani and Vice President Dick Cheney will participate in this event.

The first moment of silence in New York will also be at 8:46 a.m., with subsequent moments of silence to follow, marking the impact of the second plane and the collapsing of the towers. Following the first moment of silence, children will begin reading the names of all who perished as a result of the attack. In addition, a canvas decorated by children who lost loved ones on 9/11 will be displayed at the site.

In the words of Mayor Bloomberg, "on the second anniversary of this fateful day, we will look to our children, through whose eyes we can see the true promise of our state and our nation. And through whose eyes we will continue to see hope and have optimism for a lifetime of brighter days."

At sundown, the "Tribute in Light" will return for one night to depict the two fallen towers, pay tribute to the memory of those lost, and symbolize the spirit of New York City.

Another memorial ceremony will take place in Shanksville, Pennsylvania, near the site of the crash of United Airlines Flight 93, which was taken over by terrorist hijackers on 9/11 and may have been headed for another target in Washington, such as the White House or the Capitol. Passengers on that plane apparently overpowered the hijackers, causing it to crash in a rural area. Gale Norton, Secretary of the U.S. Department of the Interior, will attend that remembrance.

Cities and towns throughout the nation have planned candlelight walks, interfaith services, recitals, and memorial dedications to honor the fallen and pray for international understanding.

(The Washington File is a product of the Bureau of International Information Programs, U.S. Department of State. Web site: http://usinfo.state.gov)