Commemorating the September 11 terror attacks in its 13 years, President Obama led the tribute that was made to 2996 people who died on that fateful day.
Speaking in a private ceremony held for 184 of the relatives whose loved ones died that day, the President said, “Thirteen years after small, hateful minds conspired to break us, America stands tall and America stands proud.”
In services held in both Washington and New York, all the victims names were read from Igor Zukelman to Gordon Aamoth Jr.
In particular, Obama spoke at a private ceremony for relatives of those who died when the planes hit the Pentagon in 2001. He also said that their love was the ultimate rebuke towards those who attacked the United States that bright, blue morning.
As for the New York memorial, it was attended by Mayor Giuliani who was in power on the day the September 11 attacks took place. A number of the relatives of those killed in the attacks also gathered around Ground Zero at the site of the World Trade Center so as to remember those who were killed.
One of the relatives, Tom Monahan, whose brother and cousin were victims expressed his feelings in saying that everything was fine until he reached the site for the service but couldn’t talk in remembering that day.
The new National September 11 Museum was also opened on this day while the new One World Trade Center is due to be opened on September 11 next year.