Moment of silence: US commemorates 9/11 amid tears

13 years have passed but incident still bleed fresh from survivors and relatives of victims

NEW YORK:

Thirteen years have passed but the incident — or rather the scars it left behind— still bleed fresh from the survivors and relatives of victims of the 9/11 tragedy, as the Americans marked the 13th anniversary of the deadliest attack on its territory.

The commemoration started at 8:46am, the time when the first plane had struck South Tower. The memorial ceremony was held on the Memorial plaza between the acre-sized reflecting pools, which sit within the footprints of the twin towers. The pools are ringed with bronze that is inscribed with the names of 2,983 people who were killed in the terrorist attacks of 2001 and 1993.

US President Barrack Obama with his wife, Michelle Obama, and Vice President Joe Biden with many staff members of the White House also observed the moment of silence. The first moment of silence lasted for one minute and US flags flew at half-mast.

Obama also visited Pentagon and spoke with the family members of those killed in the incident. He said “Thirteen years after hateful minds conspired to break us, America stands tall and America stands proud… we draw strength from you.”

The memorial plaza remained closed to the public for most of the day and was available only to members of the bereaved family members.

For the first time, the National 9/11 Museum was open on the anniversary. Fences around the memorial plaza have been removed completely opening it up to the public and tourists first time after the attack.

“Thirteen years later, it seems like yesterday,” said John Cartier adding that with each passing day it still hurts. Cartier’s brother James died in the incident and his motorcycle is on display at the 9/11 Museum.

Published in The Express Tribune, September 12^th, 2014.