15th Anniversary 9-11 Ceremonies Begin in Silence, Bell Ring

Nearly 3,000 people died when hijacked planes slammed into the World Trade Center, the Pentagon and a field near Shanksville on Sept. 11, 2001. It was the deadliest terror attack on American soil.

While ground zero and the nation around it are forever marked but greatly changed since 9-11, the anniversary ceremony itself has become one of the constants in how America remembers the attacks after 15 years.

Organizers planned some additional music and readings Sunday to mark the milestone year. But they were keeping close to what are now traditions: moments of silence and tolling bells, an apolitical atmosphere and the hourslong reading of the names of the dead.

“This idea of physical transformation is so real here,” Sept. 11 memorial President Joe Daniels said this week. But on this Sept. 11 itself, “bringing the focus back to why we did all this — which is to honour those that were lost — is something very intentional.”

The simple, reverential observance may be the norm now, but city officials fielded about 4,500 suggestions — including a Broadway parade honouring rescue workers and a one-minute blackout of all of Manhattan — while planning the first ceremony in 2002.

Canadians will also be pausing to reflect on the tragedy and their connections to it.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau issued a statement saying Canada joins with the families and friends of the victims to remember those who died, including 24 Canadians.

“We also offer our heartfelt support to those still struggling with the physical and emotional injuries they sustained on 9/11,” Trudeau said in the statement.

“We recognize the extraordinary courage and bravery of the first responders on that day and the days that followed. We honour the EMTs, the firefighters, the police officers, and all those who ran toward the sounds of danger and the plumes of smoke, risking their lives so others might live,” Trudeau said.

“While 9/11 will long be remembered as a day of destruction and terror, let us also remember it for the remarkable humanity that was shown in such a tragic time. May we never forget the countless Canadians, from coast to coast to coast, who opened their hearts and their homes to those affected by the attacks.”

Several events will be held in Gander, N.L., where nearly 7,000 plane passengers were stranded for three days when all flights were grounded.

Thousands are expected to attend an ecumenical service at the town’s community centre, including Halifax-based U.S. Consul General Steven Giegerich and the province’s Premier Dwight Ball.

The Gander and Area Chamber of Commerce says the ceremony, organized with the Canadian National Day of Service Foundation and Wounded Warriors Canada, will commemorate the tragedy but also raise awareness about Post Traumatic Stress Disorder.

A piece of steel beam from the south tower of the World Trade Center will also be unveiled during a ceremony at the town’s airport, a thank you gift from the Stephen Siller Tunnel to Towers Foundation, named for a New York firefighter killed while helping to rescue people from the World Trade Center’s twin towers.

In Ottawa, Public Safety Minister Ralph Goodale is expected to reflect on 9/11 when he speaks at an event honouring firefighters.

Financial and other hurdles delayed the redevelopment of the Trade Center site early on, but now the 9-11 museum, three of four currently planned skyscrapers, an architecturally adventuresome transportation hub and shopping concourse and other features stand at the site. A design for a long-stalled, $250 million performing arts centre was unveiled Thursday.

Around the Trade Center, lower Manhattan now has dozens of new hotels and eateries, 60,000 more residents and ever-more visitors than before 9-11.

Associated Press writer Verena Dobnik contributed to this report. Reach Jennifer Peltz on Twitter @ jennpeltz.

Jennifer Peltz And Verena Dobnik, The Associated Press

The Canadian Press

by The Canadian/Associated Press

15th Anniversary 9-11 Ceremonies Begin in Silence, Bell Ring

What's Happening