NEW YORK (AP) — The shadow of a renewed terror threat has been hanging over today’s observances of the 13th anniversary of the September 11th terrorist attacks.
The events come hours after President Barack Obama said he would open a new military front in the Middle East — authorizing airstrikes inside Syria along with expanded strikes in Iraq in an effort to root out Islamic State extremists.
In remarks at the Pentagon this morning, Obama didn’t mention the plan to step up military and diplomatic action against that group. He said that 13 years after the terror attacks, “America stands tall and America stands proud.”
At the World Trade Center site in New York, family and friends read the names of the nearly 3,000 people killed there, at the Pentagon and near Shanksville, Pennsylvania.
One woman wept as she read the name of her father, and said, “You put me to bed 13 years ago not knowing it would be your last time.”
The memorial plaza is closed to the public for most of the day, available only to family members. It will reopen at 6 p.m., at which point thousands of New Yorkers are expected to mark the anniversary at the twin reflecting pools where the towers once stood.
In Pennsylvania, former House Speaker Dennis Hastert donated the flag that flew atop the U.S. Capitol on 9/11 to the Flight 93 National Memorial. He said the Capitol may not have remained standing 13 years ago if the United Airlines passengers and crew had not rebelled against four hijackers.
%@AP Links
161-a-13-(President Barack Obama, in remarks at Pentagon 9/11 ceremony)-“by your example”-President Obama says this 13th anniversary of 9/11 is an occasion to pause and reflect — and remember the families of the nearly 3,000 Americans who were lost. (11 Sep 2014)
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176-r-32-(Sound of bugler playing ‘Taps’, at Pentagon 9/11 ceremony)–Sound of bugler playing ‘Taps’ at Pentagon 9/11 ceremony. (11 Sep 2014)
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147-r-18-(Sound of bell ringing and moment of silence, at 9/11 anniversary ceremony)–This is the sound of bell ringing and moment of silence at 9/11 anniversary ceremony. ((note extended silence after second ring)) (11 Sep 2014)
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143-a-10-(Eleni Kousoulis (eh-LEH’-nee koo-SOO’-lihs), sister of 9/11 victim, with reporters)-“live with it”-Eleni Kousoulis, whose sister Danielle died in the north tower, says the loss still hurts. (11 Sep 2014)
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APPHOTO WTC123: Eileen Esquilin hugs her husband, Joe Irizarry, while mourning the loss of her brother, Ruben Esquilin Jr, during memorial observances on the 13th anniversary of the Sept. 11 terror attacks on the World Trade Center in New York, Thursday, Sept. 11, 2014. Family and friends of those who died read the names of the nearly 3,000 people killed in New York, at the Pentagon and near Shanksville, Pennsylvania. (AP Photo/Andrew Burton, Pool) (11 Sep 2014)
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APPHOTO WTC124: People gather during memorial observances on the 13th anniversary of the Sept. 11 terror attacks on the World Trade Center in front of 1 World Trade Center in New York, Thursday, Sept. 11, 2014. Family and friends of those who died read the names of the nearly 3,000 people killed in New York, at the Pentagon and near Shanksville, Pennsylvania. (AP Photo/Andrew Burton, Pool) (11 Sep 2014)
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