Americans commemorate September 11 attacks
Millions of Americans will today commemorate the fourth anniversary of the September 11 terrorist attacks.
British police officers will form an honour guard for victims’ families at a service near New York’s World Trade Center site to remember the 67 Britons who perished.
US president George Bush drew parallels between the suicide hijackings and the devastation caused by Hurricane Katrina, praising the resolve of the American people.
He said that, once again, four years later, the US was confronting another disaster but that, once again, it would recover and rebuild.
“The despair and tragedy of (September 11, 2001) were overcome by displays of selflessness, courage and compassion,” he said in a radio address to the nation.
“In the days and weeks that followed, America answered history’s call to bring justice to our enemies and to ensure the survival and success of liberty, and that mission continues today.”
The British victims will be represented by 67 British officers at Old Slip Park in downtown Manhattan.
A cappella choir Oxford Alternatives will play a musical tribute. Also performing at the concert will be Welsh soprano Rachel Schutz.
Bells will toll at the main ceremony at Ground Zero, which begins just before 8.46am local time (1.46pm Irish time) – when the first tower was hit.
During the day the siblings of those killed will read through victims’ names.
The sombre ceremony will pause four times – marking when each plane hit the towers and when each tower fell.
While the names are read, family members will be able to descend the ramp to the lowest level of the site, where they will lay flowers.
At sunset, the Tribute in Light – twin skyward aimed spotlights – will return for one night, rising from ground zero into the night in memory of those lost.
A small church that became the focus of support for rescue workers will be inaugurated into the Coventry Community of the Cross of Nails.
St Paul’s Chapel, which is opposite Ground Zero, will become the latest member of the world-famous peace and reconciliation organisation, borne out of the devastating Luftwaffe bombings in November 1940.
Dr Oliver Schuegraf, the community’s co-ordinator, and the Suffragan Bishop of Warwick, the Right Reverend John Stroyan, will make the presentation and deliver addresses at a special service in Manhattan.
“This is in recognition of the amazing support work the church offered to rescue workers at the site over the days and weeks following the destruction of the Twin Towers and the ongoing ministry they now provide in reconciliation work between Christians, Jews and Muslims,” he said.
A march and country music concert will also be held at the Pentagon where nearly 200 people lost their lives.
Defence secretary Donald Rumsfeld said it would remind people of “the sacrifices of this generation and of each previous generation”.
New York mayor Michael Bloomberg said siblings would take the lead in the main ceremony to “acknowledge the special bonds” they shared with their brothers and sisters.
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