Newsman: Americans remembered 9/11 on Sunday with readings of victims’ names, volunteer work and other tributes 21 years after the deadliest terror attack on U.S. soil. Nearly 3,000 people died in the attacks, which were orchestrated by al Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden. Hijacked airliners crashed into the World Trade Center in New York City, the Pentagon in Arlington, Virginia, and a field near Shanksville, Pennsylvania. Communities around the country are marking the day with candlelight vigils, interfaith services and other commemorations.
The commemoration at ground zero in New York started with a tolling bell and a moment of silence, where the World Trade Center’s twin towers were destroyed by the hijacked-plane attacks of Sept. 11, 2001. Victims’ relatives and dignitaries also convened at the two other attack sites, the Pentagon and a field in Pennsylvania.
Vice President Kamala Harris and husband Doug Emhoff joined the observance at the National Sept. 11 Memorial in New York, but by tradition, no political figures speak at the ground zero ceremony. It centers instead on victims’ relatives reading aloud the names of the dead.
Firefighter Jimmy Riches’ namesake nephew wasn’t born yet when his uncle died, but the boy took the podium to pay tribute to him.
“You’re always in my heart. And I know you are watching over me,” he said after reading a portion of the nearly 3,000 victims’ names.
