NBCNEWS.COM - At memorials and in their schools, homes, and places of work across the country on Wednesday morning, Americans paused to remember those lost in the Sept. 11 attacks that shook the nation 12 years ago.
At 8:46 a.m. EST, crowds gathered at the site of the Twin Towers in New York City observed a moment of silence marking when the first plane crashed in the city's downtown. President Barack Obama joined by the Vice President and First Lady also marked the moment on the lawn of the White House.
The president later observed a moment of silence at the Pentagon to mark the time at which Flight 77 struck the building, joined by Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel and Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman Gen. Martin Dempsey.
"Let us have the strength to face down the threats that endure, different though they may be from 12 years ago, so that as long as there are those who will strike our citizens, we will stand vigilant and defend our nation," the president said outside the Pentagon.
"Let us have the wisdom to know that while force is at times necessary, force alone cannot build the world we seek, so we recommit to the partnerships and progress that builds mutual respect and deepens trust and allows more people to live in dignity, prosperity, and freedom," said Obama, who on Tuesday night made a forceful case for military action against Syria in an address to the American public.
"We remember each of those taken from us," Hagel said. "We remember them as individuals with their own stories. We comfort the loved ones they left behind who still mourn and grieve despite the passage of time."
Other officials and politicians, including lawmakers in the Senate, paid tribute to those who lost their lives at ceremonies in the nation's capital.
"The events of September the 11th, 2001, transformed our entire nation and touched each of our lives," Attorney General Eric Holder said in leading Department of Justice staff members in a moment of silence.
Secretary of State John Kerry said in a letter to employees that the memories of the Sept. 11 attacks make the day "like none other," and referenced the attacks on the American consulate in Libya a year ago.
"We pause to remember those we've lost and their families, and when we see their friends in the hall, we ask how they're doing," Kerry said in the letter. "My hope is that as we remember our fallen colleagues from both September 11s and all the other sad days, we never forget the reason we do what we do. And though we can't inscribe all their names on a memorial, we also cannot forget the families and loved ones of those who serve and sacrifice in faraway places."
Pipes and drums played at the memorial in New York after the moment of silence, before friends and family members of those who lost their lives read the names of the deceased. A stage honor guard was made up of members of the New York City fire department and police department as well as the Port Authority police department.
For the first responders who rushed toward the World Trade Center 12 years ago, the memories of rushing toward the nearly unimaginable tragedy remain strong.
"It's always very difficult this time of year. It brings back somber feelings, time to reflect on your own life," firefighter John Morabito told the TODAY Show on Wednesday. The nationwide memorials help him get through, he said.
"It's extremely powerful, it's an extremely powerful feeling that everyone's thoughts today are on the firefighters and on the rescue workers and on the people, and what we went through in New York City. I was so proud of New Yorkers," Morabito said.
On Tuesday, workers in Shanksville, Penn., broke ground on the Flight 93 National Memorial, beginning construction on the 6,800-square-foot visitor center that will tell the story of Flight 93. Four hijackers turned the plane toward Washington, D.C., likely targeting the U.S. Capitol building, before passengers and crew stormed the cockpit and tried to regain control. The plane crashed into a field and everyone on board was killed.
"Because of the quick and determined actions of the passengers and crew, Flight 93 was the only one of the four hijacked aircraft that failed to reach the terrorists' intended target that day," the National Park Service wrote on its website. "The passengers and crew showed unity, courage, and defiance in the face of adversity."
Organizers announced Tuesday they had raised $40 million, which gave them the green light on the memorial for the 40 passengers and crew members killed. It will include a plaza, a wall of names, memorial groves and a field of honor. The names of the deceased were read at an observance ceremony Wednesday at 10:03 a.m., when Flight 93 crashed.
The town of Westfield, N.J., planned to hold its annual "We Will Never Forget" ceremony on Wednesday evening to commemorate the 12 residents who died on 9/11. Towns across Connecticut held ceremonies scheduled throughout the day, and Gov. Dannel Malloy declared Wednesday "Honor our Heroes and Remembrance Day."
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NEW YORK (AP) - The 12th anniversary of the Sept. 11 attacks has started with solemn bell tolls and a moment of silence at the World Trade Center site.
The moment of silence at 8:46 a.m. Wednesday marked when the first plane hit the twin towers on a clear, sunny day in 2001. Then, families of the victims started reading aloud the names of those who died.
Christina Aceto read the name of her father, Richard Anthony Aceto. She says she misses her father every day.
A second bell tolled at 9:03 a.m. to mark when the second plane hit the twin towers. Then the reading of the names resumed.
Former Mayor Rudy Giuliani (joo-lee-AH'-nee) and former Gov. George Pataki attended, as well as Mayor Michael Bloomberg, Gov. Anthony Cuomo (KWOH'-moh) and New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie.
Obama marks Sept. 11 anniversary at White House
WASHINGTON (AP) - President Barack Obama marked the 12th anniversary of the Sept. 11 attacks with a moment of silence on the South Lawn of the White House.
Obama, along with first lady Michelle Obama, Vice President Joe Biden and wife Jill Biden, walked out of the White House at 8:46 a.m., EDT, the moment the first plane hit the World Trade Center tower in New York a dozen years ago. They bowed their heads to observe a moment of silence, which was followed by a bugler playing taps.
Dozens of White House staff joined the Obamas and Bidens on the South Lawn to observe the anniversary.
The president will attend a Sept. 11 ceremony at the Pentagon later Wednesday. He also plans to mark the anniversary by participating in a volunteer project.
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