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America remembers victims of 9/11

Last updated on: September 11, 2009 
US President Barack Obama and first lady Michelle Obama observe a moment of silence at the White House

President Barack Obama on Friday led Americans in remembering the 2,752 people, who perished in the world's deadliest terror strike by Al Qaeda eight years ago, saying the United States will 'never falter' in its struggle against the terrorist organisation.

At exactly 8:46 am, when the first plane hijacked by the terrorists hit the first twin tower of the World Trade Centre in downtown Manhattan, Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama gathered with the White House staff on the South Lawn and observed a minute of silence to commemorate the eighth anniversary of the September 11 attacks.

Text: PTI

'US will never falter'

Last updated on: September 11, 2009 
US President Barack Obama lays a wreath at the Pentagon near Washington

On a rain-swept day, ceremonies were also held in New York, at the Pentagon and in a Pennsylvania field where a fourth plane crashed short of its target.

Later, speaking at the Pentagon, one of the sites of the attacks, Obama said the US 'will never falter' in its pursuit of Al Qaeda and its allies.

2,752 killed in 9/11 attacks

Last updated on: September 11, 2009 
Family members of victims pay their respects at the site of the former twin towers in New York

Obama said his administration would do everything in its power to keep America safe.

As many as 2,752 people, including foreign nationals, were killed in the attacks.

 

Remembering 9/11 victims

Last updated on: September 11, 2009 
Marta Waisman holds a photo of her daughter Gabriela, who lost her life in the World Trade Centre attack

"Let us renew our resolve against those who perpetrated this barbaric act and who plot against us still. In the defence of our nation, we will never waver," he said.

"Let us renew our commitment to all those who serve in our defence, our courageous men and women in uniform and their families and all those who protect us here at home," Obama said.

'Once more we pause, once more we pray'

Last updated on: September 11, 2009 
A man observes a moment of silence outside St Paul's Church in New York

"No turning of the season can diminish the pain and the loss of that day. No passage of time and no dark skies can ever dull the meaning of this moment. So on this solemn day, at this sacred hour, once more we pause, once more we pray, as a nation and as a people".

"In city streets, where our two towers were turned to ashes and dust, in a quiet field where a plane fell from the sky, and here, where a single stone of this building is still blackened by the fires," Obama said.

'We will guard the memories'

Last updated on: September 11, 2009 
An honour guard pauses for a moment of silence at the site of the former twin towers in New York

Joe Daniels, President and CEO of the National September 11 Memorial and Museum at the World Trade Centre, said, "We join the victims' families, survivors, first responders, fellow Americans, and people all over the world."

In New York, City Mayor Michael Bloomberg praised the newly established September 11 National Day of Service and Remembrance, designated by Obama.

"Appropriately, the city of New York has taken up that call. From this day forward, we will guard the memories of those who died by rekindling the spirit of service and help keep us strong," Bloomberg said in a statement.

'We are all New Yorkers'

Last updated on: September 11, 2009 
Family members of the victims of the 9/11 attack pay their respects at the reflecting pool at Ground Zero

A ceremony was also held in Shanksville just before 10 am, to remember the 40 passengers and crew of United Airlines Flight 93, who died when the hijacked plane crashed in a field.

Obama wrote in a letter published on the front page of the New York Daily News that 'we are all New Yorkers'.

'Forever seared in the consciousness of our nation'

Last updated on: September 11, 2009 
Family members of victims pay their respects at Ground Zero

The attacks "will be forever seared in the consciousness of our nation," he wrote.

"We will never forget the images of planes vanishing into buildings; of billowing smoke rolling down the streets of Manhattan; of photos hung by the families of the missing," Obama wrote.

'The rage and aching sadness'

Last updated on: September 11, 2009 
New York fire fighters carry a United States flag which survived the 9/11 attacks on the World Trade Center in New York
"We will never forget the rage and aching sadness we felt. And we will never forget the feeling that we had lost something else: a sense of safety as we went about our daily lives," Obama said.