9/11 Attacks: 11 Years Later
By: NBC News
Updated: September 11, 2012
Today marks the 11th anniversary of the 9-11 terrorist attacks that killed nearly 3-thousand people.
In New York, a focus on healing is leading to smaller memorials than in previous years.
This year's ceremony includes six moments of silence and a reading of the names of those lost following the terror attacks.
One year after their debut, hundreds of people gathered around the reflecting pools, sitting in place of the fallen World Trade Center towers.
"We just can't forget that day," someone says.
And while the country continues to mourn for the people lost in the September 11th terrorist attacks, this year much has changed.
This year, no politicians, who have attended and spoken in years past, were invited to speak. Only relatives will read the names of the victims on the 11th anniversary.
The president stayed in Washington to participate in ceremonies at the White House and the Pentagon.
On Monday, families gathered near Shanksville, Pennsylvania, along with Defense Secretary Leon Panetta. They remembered the victims who died, fighting to keep their plane from reaching the U.S. Capitol.
"They gave their lives for all they loved. They gave their lives for the families they loved and for the country they loved and there is no greater sacrifice," Panetta said.
Back in Lower Manhattan, construction is resuming on the memorial museum that sat unfinished for nearly a year while the Port Authority, which owns the site, battled over financing with the memorial foundation.
"I'm gratified that on the eve of 9-11 that we're able to announce an agreement that I think will ensure the completion of the 9-11 museum," said Mayor Mike Bloomberg.
"Without a museum, this memorial doesn't teach you anything. It doesn't tell them anything about what happened on that day," says Edie Lutnick, whose brother died inside one of the towers.
It's a positive step forward on a project that, for many, will make the tribute complete.
On a related note, there's some relief for first responders and residents near Ground Zero who have suffered from cancer due to debris from the attacks. The 9-11 Health and Compensation Act will now cover treatment.
In New York, a focus on healing is leading to smaller memorials than in previous years.
This year's ceremony includes six moments of silence and a reading of the names of those lost following the terror attacks.
One year after their debut, hundreds of people gathered around the reflecting pools, sitting in place of the fallen World Trade Center towers.
"We just can't forget that day," someone says.
And while the country continues to mourn for the people lost in the September 11th terrorist attacks, this year much has changed.
This year, no politicians, who have attended and spoken in years past, were invited to speak. Only relatives will read the names of the victims on the 11th anniversary.
The president stayed in Washington to participate in ceremonies at the White House and the Pentagon.
On Monday, families gathered near Shanksville, Pennsylvania, along with Defense Secretary Leon Panetta. They remembered the victims who died, fighting to keep their plane from reaching the U.S. Capitol.
"They gave their lives for all they loved. They gave their lives for the families they loved and for the country they loved and there is no greater sacrifice," Panetta said.
Back in Lower Manhattan, construction is resuming on the memorial museum that sat unfinished for nearly a year while the Port Authority, which owns the site, battled over financing with the memorial foundation.
"I'm gratified that on the eve of 9-11 that we're able to announce an agreement that I think will ensure the completion of the 9-11 museum," said Mayor Mike Bloomberg.
"Without a museum, this memorial doesn't teach you anything. It doesn't tell them anything about what happened on that day," says Edie Lutnick, whose brother died inside one of the towers.
It's a positive step forward on a project that, for many, will make the tribute complete.
On a related note, there's some relief for first responders and residents near Ground Zero who have suffered from cancer due to debris from the attacks. The 9-11 Health and Compensation Act will now cover treatment.
Comments
I was in my warehouse when an employee called and told me to turn on the radio and what happened. The announcer kept exclaiming "oh, oh, look". I asked the radio "Look at What?" Finally I got in my car and went to Walmart, where they have several TV's on so I could see what was happening. Walmart had only inhouse feeds on, so I bought a TV, took it back to my warehouse so I could watch what was happening. It was so sad.
Claudia M.
September 11, 2012 at 12:30 pm
I was in my warehouse when an employee called and told me to turn on the radio and what happened. The announcer kept exclaiming "oh, oh, look". I asked the radio "Look at What?" Finally I got in my car and went to Walmart, where they have several TV's on so I could see what was happening. Walmart had only inhouse feeds on, so I bought a TV, took it back to my warehouse so I could watch what was happening. It was so sad.
Claudia M.
September 11, 2012 at 12:29 pm
