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Obama in tribute to 9/11 victims Obama in tribute to 9/11 victims
(about 1 hour later)
US President Barack Obama has paid tribute to the victims of the 11 September 2001 attacks.US President Barack Obama has paid tribute to the victims of the 11 September 2001 attacks.
Nearly 3,000 people died when the four planes crashed in New York, at the Pentagon and in a Pennsylvania field.Nearly 3,000 people died when the four planes crashed in New York, at the Pentagon and in a Pennsylvania field.
Speaking at the Pentagon on the eighth anniversary, Mr Obama vowed to "never falter" in pursuit of al-Qaeda.Speaking at the Pentagon on the eighth anniversary, Mr Obama vowed to "never falter" in pursuit of al-Qaeda.
As the ceremonies were held, it was reported that the US Coast Guard was conducting a training exercise on Washington DC's Potomac River.As the ceremonies were held, it was reported that the US Coast Guard was conducting a training exercise on Washington DC's Potomac River.
Earlier reports suggested that shots were fired at a suspicious vessel on the river, but officials from the Department of Homeland Security denied this, telling the BBC the Coast Guard exercises were a daily occurrence.Earlier reports suggested that shots were fired at a suspicious vessel on the river, but officials from the Department of Homeland Security denied this, telling the BBC the Coast Guard exercises were a daily occurrence.
'Sacrifices of thousands''Sacrifices of thousands'
Thousands gathered for ceremonies in a square near New York's Ground Zero.Thousands gathered for ceremonies in a square near New York's Ground Zero.
Remembrance services are being held around the country, with moments of silence being observed at the three sites.Remembrance services are being held around the country, with moments of silence being observed at the three sites.
Americans have been encouraged to contribute to a national day of service and in Afghanistan, US soldiers completed a 9.11km (5.5 mile) run to mark the day.Americans have been encouraged to contribute to a national day of service and in Afghanistan, US soldiers completed a 9.11km (5.5 mile) run to mark the day.
President Obama joined Defence Secretary Robert Gates at the Pentagon, where 184 people died, to meet members of victims' families and lay a wreath.President Obama joined Defence Secretary Robert Gates at the Pentagon, where 184 people died, to meet members of victims' families and lay a wreath.
I greatly fear at some point we'll transition to turning it into Earth Day... and the remembrance part will become smaller Debra Burlingame,sister of victim The dark day The four hijacks How disaster unfoldedI greatly fear at some point we'll transition to turning it into Earth Day... and the remembrance part will become smaller Debra Burlingame,sister of victim The dark day The four hijacks How disaster unfolded
He paid tribute to the victims and vowed to continue the fight against America's enemies.He paid tribute to the victims and vowed to continue the fight against America's enemies.
"In the defence of our nation we will never waver," he said. "In pursuit of al-Qaeda we will never falter."In the defence of our nation we will never waver," he said. "In pursuit of al-Qaeda we will never falter.
Vice-President Joe Biden is attending the New York ceremony, where planes crashed into the World Trade Center towers, causing them to collapse.Vice-President Joe Biden is attending the New York ceremony, where planes crashed into the World Trade Center towers, causing them to collapse.
Volunteers who helped in the aftermath of the attacks joined family members in reading the more than 2,700 names of the victims.Volunteers who helped in the aftermath of the attacks joined family members in reading the more than 2,700 names of the victims.
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Memorial held at Ground ZeroMemorial held at Ground Zero
The BBC's Matthew Price in New York says the Ground Zero area remains a building site, despite plans for a memorial, a museum and five new skyscrapers.The BBC's Matthew Price in New York says the Ground Zero area remains a building site, despite plans for a memorial, a museum and five new skyscrapers.
Delays caused by political arguments and financial and legal disputes have left huge question marks over the entire project, he says.Delays caused by political arguments and financial and legal disputes have left huge question marks over the entire project, he says.
Former Secretary of State Colin Powell will speak at the site of the crash of United Airlines Flight 93 near Shanksville, Pennsylvania.Former Secretary of State Colin Powell will speak at the site of the crash of United Airlines Flight 93 near Shanksville, Pennsylvania.
Ground zero is still a building site eight years after the attacksEnlarge ImageGround zero is still a building site eight years after the attacksEnlarge Image
The names of the 40 passengers and crew will be read to mark the time of the crash - 1003.The names of the 40 passengers and crew will be read to mark the time of the crash - 1003.
In a break with tradition, the anniversary has also been designated a national day of service.In a break with tradition, the anniversary has also been designated a national day of service.
On Thursday, Mr Obama issued a statement urging Americans to take part in community work.On Thursday, Mr Obama issued a statement urging Americans to take part in community work.
Conservation projects, aid packages for serving soldiers and the simple offering of work for free are among the undertakings made by members of the public.Conservation projects, aid packages for serving soldiers and the simple offering of work for free are among the undertakings made by members of the public.
However, some commentators and members of victims' families have expressed concern that the remembrance may lose its primary focus.However, some commentators and members of victims' families have expressed concern that the remembrance may lose its primary focus.
Debra Burlingame, whose brother died at the Pentagon, told Associated Press news agency: "I greatly fear at some point we'll transition to turning it into Earth Day where we go and plant trees and the remembrance part will become smaller."Debra Burlingame, whose brother died at the Pentagon, told Associated Press news agency: "I greatly fear at some point we'll transition to turning it into Earth Day where we go and plant trees and the remembrance part will become smaller."
About 1,000 US troops in Afghanistan marked the anniversary with a 9.11km run at the main Bagram base in Kabul. Two other bases also took part.About 1,000 US troops in Afghanistan marked the anniversary with a 9.11km run at the main Bagram base in Kabul. Two other bases also took part.
The 9/11 attacks sparked the US-led invasion in October 2001 to oust the Taliban and tackle al-Qaeda leaders living in Afghanistan.The 9/11 attacks sparked the US-led invasion in October 2001 to oust the Taliban and tackle al-Qaeda leaders living in Afghanistan.