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New York marks anniversary of Sept. 11 tragedy  |
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 The city of New York, which suffered the most in the terrorist attacks one year ago, held on Wednesday morning a ceremony marking the anniversary of the Sept. 11 terror attacks.
The pipe and drum corps of the city agencies that performed heroically on September 11 and afterwards -- the Fire Department, the Port Authority and the Police Department, marched from the city's five boroughs toward the World Trade Center (WTC) since daybreak.
The city of eight million people was more vigilant today than at any time and more so than any other city in the United States. Police guarded sensitive locations, such as power plants, airports and other critical infrastructure, and certain houses of worship, to prevent any new attacks, according to state and city officials.
At 8:46 am, Mayor Michael Bloomberg called on citizens for a moment of silence. It was the time when the hijacked American Airlines Flight 11 from Boston to Los Angeles hit the north tower of the WTC.
At the scene were dignitaries and relatives of the victims of the attacks as well as the marchers. They stood at Ground Zero where 1.5 million tons of rubble caused by the collapse of the 110-story towers of the WTC were cleared four months ago.
A second plane crashed into the south tower at 9:03 am. The attacks claimed a total of 2801 lives.
"Again today, we are a nation that mourns. Again today, we take into our hearts and minds those who perished on this site one year ago," said Bloomberg.
New York State Governor George Pataki read the Gettysburg address first delivered by Abraham Lincoln in 1863. The address contained such words as "from these honored dead we take increased devotion to that cause for which they gave the last full measure of devotion".
Then former New York City mayor Rudolph Giuliani led a recitation of the names of the 2801 victims. The names are also inscribed in a viewing wall overlooking the WTC.
Gordon Aamoth Jr., 32, who worked for an investment firm on the south tower's 104th floor, was the first name read.
Dignitaries such as Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton (NY) and New York Stock Exchange President Richard Grasso and many members of the families of victims followed Giuliani in reciting the names.
The victims included more than 400 uniformed rescuers -- 343 firefighters, 23 police officers and 75 officers and workers of the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, the owner of the WTC.
However the list does not include the 10 hijackers who slammed the two airliners into the WTC, but does include the 127 passengers and 20 crew members on board.
The memorial service concluded at 11:25 am. During the service there were three pauses for silence to mark moments of the attack by the second airplane and the collapse of the twin towers.
Members of the families of victims put roses in a large vase at the base of the site and the authorities planned to make the flowers part of the permanent memorial when it is eventually built.
Source: Xinhua
Editor: Zhao Xuan
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