NEW YORK -- Fatherless children parents who outlived their youngest and other tearful family members on Sunday recited the names of the nearly 3000 Sept. 11 dead in a solemn but inspiring display marking the 10th anniversary of the nations deadliest terrorist attacks.
With the names reverberating through a silent lower Manhattan somber family members left flowers and photos on bronze engravings of the victims surrounded by waterfalls flowing into the former footprints of the World Trade Centers twin towers.
For many family members -- and New Yorkers -- the ceremony provided a moment of healing after a decade of mourning that will continue well past Sundays remembrance ceremony.
It was so beautiful so tranquil said John Savas of Richmond who lost his father Anthony and hadnt returned to the site in years. The whole area -- the skyline -- it all looks so different from the last time we were here. It means so much to see how this area has picked itself up and moved on. Thats what we all have to do.
On Sept. 11 Anthony Savas 72 a construction inspector for the New York Port Authority became trapped in a South Tower elevator. Instead of leaving the blazing building after he was freed Savas stayed behind to help and was never heard from again.
Presidents Obama and George W. Bush looked on as uplifting displays of heroism were recounted during a ceremony that started early in the morning and stretched well into the afternoon.
Not wanting to take the attention from family members the ceremony was devoid of political speeches.
We will not fear even though the earth be removed and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea Obama said reciting Psalms 46.
Perhaps most heartbreaking for many in the audience: the children who lost a parent while they were still in the womb.
Speaking of a dad who I never met because I was in my mothers belly Nicholas Gorki said I love you Father. You gave me the gift of life and I wish you could be here to enjoy it with me.
And other young New Yorkers over the past decade have been forced to assume fatherly roles far too early.
Ive stopped crying but I havent stopped missing my dad said 21-year-old Peter Negron. I decided to become a forensic scientist. I hope that I can make my father proud of the young men my brother and I have become.
In total family members read the names of 2983 victims including for the first time at the annual ceremony those whose lives were lost at the Pentagon and on downed United Airlines Flight 93 in Shanksville Pa.
New York went quiet six times during the ceremony in recognition of the two strikes of the towers the moments they crumbled to the ground and to reflect on the attacks on the Pentagon and Flight 93.
At Ground Zero victims families displayed a range of emotions.
Responders never recovered the body of Tyrone May a 44-year-old auditor with the New York State Department of Taxation and Finance known for both his love of music and ability to crunch numbers.
His brother David said he thought of nothing but his favorite memories while focusing on Tyrones name now forever engraved in the memorial.
I tracked down Tyrones sixth-grade teacher and brought him here the Brooklyn resident explained smiling as he recalled the fish tank and other crazy animals in that classroom. I dont know what else to think about. I have to be positive.
Though Colorados Lisa Kennedy was impressed by the renovated Ground Zero she was more concerned with carrying on the legacy of her father Michael Tinley who died in his World Trade Center office 10 years ago.
People should never forget those images Kennedy said. Dont get me wrong -- this is lovely. But we cant let people forget. We just cant.
NEW YORK -- Fatherless children parents who outlived their youngest and other tearful family members on Sunday recited the names of the nearly 3000 Sept. 11 dead in a solemn but inspiring display marking the 10th anniversary of the nations deadliest terrorist attacks.
With the names reverberating through a silent lower Manhattan somber family members left flowers and photos on bronze engravings of the victims surrounded by waterfalls flowing into the former footprints of the World Trade Centers twin towers.
For many family members -- and New Yorkers -- the ceremony provided a moment of healing after a decade of mourning that will continue well past Sundays remembrance ceremony.
It was so beautiful so tranquil said John Savas of Richmond who lost his father Anthony and hadnt returned to the site in years. The whole area -- the skyline -- it all looks so different from the last time we were here. It means so much to see how this area has picked itself up and moved on. Thats what we all have to do.
On Sept. 11 Anthony Savas 72 a construction inspector for the New York Port Authority became trapped in a South Tower elevator. Instead of leaving the blazing building after he was freed Savas stayed behind to help and was never heard from again.
Presidents Obama and George W. Bush looked on as uplifting displays of heroism were recounted during a ceremony that started early in the morning and stretched well into the afternoon.
Not wanting to take the attention from family members the ceremony was devoid of political speeches.
We will not fear even though the earth be removed and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea Obama said reciting Psalms 46.
Perhaps most heartbreaking for many in the audience: the children who lost a parent while they were still in the womb.
Speaking of a dad who I never met because I was in my mothers belly Nicholas Gorki said I love you Father. You gave me the gift of life and I wish you could be here to enjoy it with me.
And other young New Yorkers over the past decade have been forced to assume fatherly roles far too early.
Ive stopped crying but I havent stopped missing my dad said 21-year-old Peter Negron. I decided to become a forensic scientist. I hope that I can make my father proud of the young men my brother and I have become.
In total family members read the names of 2983 victims including for the first time at the annual ceremony those whose lives were lost at the Pentagon and on downed United Airlines Flight 93 in Shanksville Pa.
New York went quiet six times during the ceremony in recognition of the two strikes of the towers the moments they crumbled to the ground and to reflect on the attacks on the Pentagon and Flight 93.
At Ground Zero victims families displayed a range of emotions.
Responders never recovered the body of Tyrone May a 44-year-old auditor with the New York State Department of Taxation and Finance known for both his love of music and ability to crunch numbers.
His brother David said he thought of nothing but his favorite memories while focusing on Tyrones name now forever engraved in the memorial.
I tracked down Tyrones sixth-grade teacher and brought him here the Brooklyn resident explained smiling as he recalled the fish tank and other crazy animals in that classroom. I dont know what else to think about. I have to be positive.
Though Colorados Lisa Kennedy was impressed by the renovated Ground Zero she was more concerned with carrying on the legacy of her father Michael Tinley who died in his World Trade Center office 10 years ago.
People should never forget those images Kennedy said. Dont get me wrong -- this is lovely. But we cant let people forget. We just cant.
