Big Apple falls silent in 9/11 tribute
New York fell silent today as it remembered those who perished four years ago in the September 11 terrorist attacks.
Hundreds of tearful mourners gathered at Ground Zero, many clutching pictures of loved ones and flowers.
As the service began, bagpipers and drummers solemnly led a World Trade Centre flag to the stage.
Mayor Michael Bloomberg introduced a moment of silence at 8.46am local time (1.46pm Irish time), the time the first fuel-laden plane slammed into the World Trade Centre.
He referred to the London bombings which killed 52 innocent people in July.
“Today, as we reflect the names of those we lost, out hearts turn to London, out sister city, remembering those they lost as well,” he said.
“On this anniversary of 9/11 the one miracle we can learn is to go on living… and to remember those who died here not as mourners but as brother and sisters.”
Church bells tolled throughout the city as the siblings of those killed slowly read out the names of the 2,749 who died.
Many voices cracked and tears poured down their cheeks. Relatives clung to each other below a giant Stars and Stripes flag flying high over the site.
As the names rang out, relatives descended deep into the seven-storey hole where the World Trade Centre’s twin towers once stood.
There they laid flowers and tributes at a reflecting pool.
| Related Stories: |
|
