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CNN LIVE EVENT/SPECIAL

9/11 Rememberance Ceremony in New York City

Aired September 11, 2004 - 08:46   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

MAYOR MICHAEL BLOOMBERG, NEW YORK CITY: Today, again, we meet in great sadness. We come here to remember tuned ask the country and the world to remember the names of those we lost three years ago.
We will never forget that each person was someone's son or daughter (ph). On behalf of all their parents, we have asked parents and grandparents who lost a child to lead today's ceremony.

At this time, please join us and all New Yorkers in a moment of silence.

It has been said that a child who loses a parent is an orphan. A man who loses his wife is a widower. A woman who loses her husband is a widow. There is no name for a parent who loses a child, for there are no words to describe this pain.

There's a room near the site, just a few yards away, called the family room. Families are invited to come there to be alone with their grief and their memories, to leave a picture or a keepsake of the loved ones and to write down what is in their hearts.

Today we've invited some of those parents and grandparents to share their feelings with us. All the words you will hear will come either from them or from what has been written over the ages to give expression to their grief and comfort to their loss.

MIKE LOW, DAUGHTER KILLED ON 9/11: My name is Mike Low (ph). My daughter was Sara Elizabeth Low, and she was a flight attendant on American Airlines Flight 11.

On October the 28th, 2001, my wife Bobbie and I came to the first memorial here at Ground Zero. The towers' ruins were still smoldering. And after that painful ceremony, I scribbled the lines, "Dreams burn away as the morning mist and the heat of fate resolves." We have left those lines in the back of a tribute booklet in the family room.

And we've been back to that family room many times since. When I go into the room and look all around it, the photographs of the smiling faces, of the young, beautiful, talented lives that were lost, their promises unfulfilled, their dreams burnt away. I think of a line from a 9/11 poem by an American Airlines pilot that simply states, "My God, what a wrenching loss."

BLOOMBERG: Over 2,000 years ago when King David was told of the death of his son, he spoke the words that surely every parent today can understand.

"The king went up to the chamber over the gate and wept, and as he went, thus he said, 'Oh, my son, Absalom; my son, my son, Absalom, would I have died for thee, oh Absalom. My son, my son'."

We have asked the parents and grandparents to read the names of those who have died.

(MUSIC)

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Gordon M. Aamoth Jr (ph).

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Edelmiro Abad (ph).

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Maria Rose Abad (ph).

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Andrew Anthony Abate (ph).

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Vincent Abate (ph).

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Laurence Christopher Abel (ph).

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Alona Abraham

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: William F. Abrahamson (ph).

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Richard Anthony Aceto (ph).

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Heinrich Bernhard Ackermann (ph).

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Paul Andrew Acquaviva (ph).

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Donald LaRoy Adams (ph).

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Patrick Adams (ph).

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Shannon Lewis Adams (ph).

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Stephen George Adams (ph).

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Ignatius Udo Adanga (ph).

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Christy A. Addamo (ph).

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Terence E. Adderley Jr (ph).

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Sophia B (ph). Addo (ph).

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Lee Adler (ph).

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Daniel Thomas Afflitto (ph).

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Emmanuel Akwasi Afuakwah (ph).

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Alok Agarwal (ph).

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Mukul Kumar Agarwala (ph).

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Joseph Agnello (ph).

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: David Scott Agnes (ph).

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: John Alberto Dalhonsec Aguilar (ph).

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: BrianG. Ahearn (ph).

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: And my son, Paul Andrew Acquaviva (ph).

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: And my son, Christopher Allingham (ph). We miss you, Chris (ph).

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: We miss you, Paul (ph).

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Jeremiah Joseph Ahern (ph).

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Joanne Marie Ahladiotis (ph).

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Shabbir Ahmed (ph).

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Terrance Andre Aiken (ph).

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Godwin Ajala (ph).

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Gertrude M. Alagero (ph).

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Andrew Alameno (ph).

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Margaret Ann Alario (ph).

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Gary M. Albero (ph).

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Jon Leslie Albert (ph).

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Peter Craig (ph) Alderman (ph).

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Jacquelyn Delaine Aldridge (ph).

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: David D. Alger (ph).

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Ernest Alikakos (ph).

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Edward L. Allegretto (ph).

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Eric Allen (ph).

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Joseph Ryan Allen (ph).

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Richard Dennis Allen (ph).

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Richard L. Allen (ph).

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Christopher E. Allingham (ph).

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Anna Allison (ph).

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Janet M. Alonso (ph).

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Anthony Alvarado (ph).

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Antonio Javier Alvarez (ph).

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Victoria Alvarez-Brito (ph).

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Telmo E. Alvear (ph).

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Cesar Amoranto Alviar (ph).

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Tariq Amanullah (ph).

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: And my son, Peter Paul Apollo (ph). We love you. We miss you.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: And my dearest and lovely son, Kevin P. Lira Arivalo (ph). We deeply miss you.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Angelo Amaranto (ph).

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: James M. Amato (ph).

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Joseph Amatuccio (ph).

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Christopher Charles Amoroso (ph).

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Kazuhiro Anai (ph).

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Calixto Anaya Jr (ph).

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Joseph F. Anchundia (ph).

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Kermit Charles Anderson (ph).

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Yvette Constance Anderson (ph).

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: John Andreacchio (ph).

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Michael Rourke Andrews (ph).

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Jean Ann Andrucki (ph).

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Siew-Nya Ang (ph).

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Joseph John Angelini Jr (ph).

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Joseph Angelini STARR: .

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: David Lawrence Angell (ph).

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Laura Angilletta (ph).

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Doreen J. Angrisani (ph). UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Lorraine Antigua (ph).

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Seima David Aoyama (ph).

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Peter Paul Apollo (ph).

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Faustino Apostol Jr (ph).

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Frank Thomas Aquilino (ph).

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Patrick Michael Aranyos (ph).

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: David Ganoy (ph) Arce (ph).

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Michael George Arczynski (ph).

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Louis Arena (ph).

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Barbara Jean Arestegui (ph).

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: And my son, Gerard Baptiste (ph).

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: And my daughter, Bella J. Bhukhan (ph). Love you.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I love you.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Adam P. Arias (ph).

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Michael Armstrong (ph).

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Jack Charles Aron (ph).

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Joshua Aron (ph).

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Richard Avery Aronow (ph).

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Myra Joy Aronson (ph).

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Japhet Jesse Aryee (ph).

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Paul Frances Asallo (ph).

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Michael Asciak (ph).

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Michael Edward Asher (ph).

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Janice Marie Ashley (ph).

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Thomas J. Ashton (ph).

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Manuel O. Asitimbay (ph).

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Gregg Arthur Atlas (ph).

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Gerald Thomas Atwood (ph). UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: James Audiffred (ph).

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Louis Frank Aversano Jr (ph).

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Ezra Aviles (ph).

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Sandy Ayala (ph).

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Arlene T. Babakitis (ph).

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Eustace P. Bacchus (ph).

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: John J. Badagliacca (ph).

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Jane Ellen Baeszler (ph).

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Robert J. Baierwalter (ph).

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Andrew J. Bailey (ph).

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Brett T. Bailey (ph).

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Garnet Edward Bailey (ph).

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Tatyana Bakalinskaya (ph).

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: And my son, Thomas Harold Bowden Jr (ph).

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: And my daughter, Veronique Nicole Bowers (ph).

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Michael S. Baksh (ph).

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Sharon M. Balkcom (ph).

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Michael Andrew Bane (ph).

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Katherine Bantis (ph).

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Gerard Baptiste (ph).

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Walter Baran (ph).

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Gerard A. Barbara (ph).

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Paul Vincent Barbaro (ph).

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: James William Barbella (ph).

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Ivan Kyrillos F. Barbosa (ph).

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Victor Daniel Barbosa (ph).

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Christine Barbudo (ph).

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Colleen Ann Barkow (ph). UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: David Michael Barkway (ph).

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Matthew Barnes (ph).

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Sheila Patricia Barnes (ph).

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Ivan J. Baron (ph).

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Renee Barrett-Arjune (ph).

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Arthur Thedodis Barry (ph).

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Diane G. Barry (ph).

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Maurice Vincent Barry (ph).

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Scott D. Bart (ph).

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Carlton W. Bartels (ph).

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Guy Barzvi (ph).

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Inna B. Basin (ph).

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Alysia Basmajian (ph).

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Kenneth William Basnicki (ph).

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Stephen Joseph Baits (ph).

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: And my son, Tyrone May. (ph).

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: And my daughter, my beautiful daughter, Lucy Fishman (ph), I love you.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: We made it. We made it.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Step back with me, please. OK. Please step back with me. Come.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: My name is Nancy Brenda-Marty (ph). My son, Nick (ph), worked on the 89th floor of Tower Two. We left him this poem at the family center because, Nicky, it describes how much we miss you.

"Remembering you is easy. We do it every day. It's the heartache of losing you that never goes away. We thought of you with love today, but that is nothing new. We thought about you yesterday, and the day before that, too. Your memory is our keepsake with which we will never part. God has you in his keeping. We have you in our hearts. Our hearts still ache in sadness, our secret tears will flow. What it meant to lose you, no one will ever know."

All our love, Mom, Dad, Nicole, and Jay.

GOV. GEORGE PATAKI, NEW YORK: Even after the victories of World War II, Dwight Eisenhower, who saw too many young sons die, wrote, "There's no tragedy in life like the death of a child. Things never get back to the way they were."

On the wall of the family room, a woman who lost her son put his picture on the wall and wrote beside it, "To the world, he may have been just one person, but to me, he was the world."

In one of the scrapbooks that sits on a table nearby, another mother wrote this poem and inscribed it to her daughter.

"If tears could bring you back to me, you'd be here by my side, for God could fill a river full with all the tears I've cried. If I could have one wish come true, I'd ask of God in prayer to let me have just one more day to show how much I care. If love could reach to heaven's shore, I'd quickly come to you. My heart would build a bridge of love, one wide enough for two."

To the parents and grandparents and families of our heroes, God bless you. We will never forget.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Paul James Battaglia (ph).

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: W. David Bowell, Jr. (ph).

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Marlin Capito Bottista (ph).

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Matt Lowen Bevy (ph).

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Jasper Baxter (ph).

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Michele Biele (ph).

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Paul Frederick Beatini (ph).

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Jane S. Beatty (ph).

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Lawrence Ira Beck (ph).

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Manette Marie Beckles (ph).

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Carl John Bejam (ph).

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Michael Ernest Beckman (ph).

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Maria Hare Behr (ph).

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Yelena Belilovsky (ph).

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Nina Patrice Bell (ph).

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Debby S. Bellows. (ph).

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Stephen Elliot Belson (ph).

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Paul M. Benedetti (ph).

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Denise Lenore Benedetto (ph).

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Bryan Craig Bennett (ph).

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Eric L. Bennett (ph).

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Oliver Duncan Bennett (ph).

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Margaret L. Benson (ph).

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Dominick G. Berardi (ph).

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: James Patrick Berger (ph).

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Steven Howard Berger (ph).

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: John P. Bergin (ph).

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Alvin Bergsohn (ph).

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: And our son, Patrice Brough (ph). I'd like to say (UNINTELLIGIBLE), I love you.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: My son, (speaking in foreign language).

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: (UNINTELLIGIBLE)

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: (UNINTELLIGIBLE)

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Daniel Bergstein (ph).

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Gram Andrew Berkeley (ph).

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Michael J. Berkeley (ph).

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Donna Ann Bernaerts (ph).

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Dave W. Bernard (ph).

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: William Bernstein (ph).

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: David M. Berray (ph).

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: David S. Berry (ph).

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Joseph J. Berry (ph).

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: William Reed Bethke (ph).

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Timothy Betterly (ph).

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Paul Michael Beyer (ph).

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: We skipped a name. OK.

Edward Frank Beyer (ph).

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Bella J. Bhukhan (ph).

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Anill Teleram Baharani (ph).

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Peter Alexander Bielfeld (ph).

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: You're skipping names.

Jimmy D. Bergolstlesen (ph).

Ryan Eugene Bilcher (ph).

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: (UNINTELLIGIBLE) all the names. What's the matter with you? All these names you're skipping.

William Biggart (ph).

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Gary Eugene Bird (ph).

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: No.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: (UNINTELLIGIBLE).

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Carl Vincent Bini (ph).

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: George John Bishop (ph).

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Joshua David Birnbaum (ph).

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Albert Balewa Blackman, Jr. (ph).

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: You missed (UNINTELLIGIBLE).

Jeffrey Donald Bittner (ph).

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Susan Lee Blair (ph).

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Christopher Joseph Blackwell (ph).

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Together. And our son, Paul Booker (ph).

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: And our loving son, Paul Marshall Ronald Ball Booker (ph).

(UNINTELLIGIBLE), you skipped a lot of names.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: OK, that's us?

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: OK.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Harry Blanding, Jr. (ph).

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Janice L. Blaney (ph).

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Craig Michael Blass (ph).

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Rita Blau (ph). UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Richard Middleton Blood Jr. (ph).

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Michael Andrew Boccardi (ph).

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: John P. Bocchi (ph).

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Michael Leopolodo Bocchino (ph).

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Susan M. Bochino (ph).

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Bruce D. Boehm (ph).

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Mary Katherine Boffa (ph).

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Nicholas Andrew Bogdan (ph).

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Darren Christopher Bohan (ph).

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Lawrence Francis Boisseau (ph).

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Vincent M. Boland, Jr. (ph).

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Touri Amslavi Baruki (ph).

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Alan Bondarenko (ph).

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Andre Bonheur, Jr. (ph).

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Colin Arthur Bonet (ph).

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Frank Bonomo (ph).

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Yvonne Lucia Bonomo (ph).

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Sean Booker (ph).

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Kelly Ann Boones (ph).

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Sherry Ann Bordeaux (ph).

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Krystine Bordenabe (ph).

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Martin Boryczewski (ph).

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Richard Edward Bosco (ph).

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Claus Boothay. (ph).

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: And our son, firefighter Gregory Joseph Book (ph).

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: And our son, firefighter Gregory Joseph Book (ph).

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Engine Company 201, Brooklyn.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: We love you.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: We love you. God bless America.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Carol Marie Buchard (ph).

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: John H. Boulton. (ph).

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Francisco Alicia Bourder (ph).

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Thomas Harold Bowden, Jr. (ph).

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Kimberly S. Bowers (ph).

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Veronique Nicole Bowers (ph).

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Larry Bowman (ph).

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Shawn Edward Bowman, Jr. (ph).

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Kevin L. Bausner (ph).

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Gary R. Box (ph).

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Gennary Boyarsky (ph).

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Pamela Boyce (ph).

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Michael Berle (ph).

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Alfred Bracker (ph).

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Kevin U. Bracken (ph).

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: David Brian Brady (ph).

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Michelle Renee Bratton (ph).

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Patrice Brause (ph).

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Lydia E. Bravo (ph).

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Ronald Michael Breitweiser (ph).

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Frances Henry Brennan (ph).

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Michael E. Brennan (ph).

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Peter Brennan (ph).

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Thomas M. Brennan (ph).

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: And our son, Dennis Buckley..

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: And our son, Dennis Buckley.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: We love very much. UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Love you, Dennis.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Edward A. Brennan III (ph).

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Daniel J. Brethel (ph).

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Gary Lee Bright (ph).

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Jonathan Briley (ph).

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Mark A. Brisman (ph).

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Paul Gary Bristow (ph).

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Mark Francis Broderick (ph).

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Herman Charles Broghammer (ph).

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Keith A. Broomfield (ph).

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Janice Julic Brown (ph).

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Lloyd Stanford Brown (ph).

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Patrick J. Brown (ph).

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Bettina Browne (ph).

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Mark Bruce (ph).

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Richard George Bruehert (ph).

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Andrew Brunn (ph).

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Vincent Edward Brunton (ph).

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Ronald Paul Bucca (ph).

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Brandon J. Buchanan (ph).

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Gregory Joseph Buck (ph).

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Dennis Buckley (ph).

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Nancy Claire Bueche (ph).

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Patrick Joseph Buhse (ph).

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: John Edwards Bulaga, Jr. (ph).

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Stephen Bunin (ph).

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Matthew J. Burke (ph).

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Thomas Daniel Burke (ph).

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: William Francis Burke, Jr. (ph).

And our son...

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Matthew Josephs Burke (ph).

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Love you, Matt (ph).

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Donald J. Burns (ph).

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Kathleen Anne Burns (ph).

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Keith James Burns (ph).

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: John Patrick Burnside (ph).

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Irina Buslo (ph).

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Milton G. Bustillio (ph).

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Firefighter Thomas M. Butler (ph).

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Patrick Dennis Byrne (ph).

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Timothy G. Byrne (ph).

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Jesus Metali Cabezas (ph).

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Lillian Caceres (ph).

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Brian Joseph Cachia (ph).

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Steven Dennis Cafiero, Jr. (ph).

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Richard M. Caggiano (ph).

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Cecile Marella Caguicla (ph).

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: John Brett Cahill (ph).

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Michael John Cahill (ph).

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Scott Walter Cahill (ph).

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Thomas Joseph Cahill (ph).

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: George Cain (ph).

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Salvatore B. Calabro (ph).

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Joseph M. Calandrillo (ph).

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Philip V. Calcagno (ph).

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Edward Calderon (ph).

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Kenneth Marcus Caldwell (ph). UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Dominick Enrico Calia (ph).

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Felix Calixte (ph).

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Francis Joseph Callahan (ph).

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: And my son, Firefighter George Cain. We love you, Georgie. We miss you.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: And my son, Kenneth Marcus Caldwell. I love you, Kenny-wenny.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Liam Callahan (ph).

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Luigi Calvi (ph).

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Roko Camaj (ph).

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Michael F. Cammarata (ph).

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: David Otey Campbell (ph).

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Geoffrey Thomas Campbell (ph).

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Jill Marie Campbell (ph).

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Robert Arthur Campbell (ph).

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Sandra Patricia Campbell (ph).

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Sean Thomas Canavan (ph).

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: John A. Candela (ph).

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Vincent Cangelosi (ph).

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Stephen J. Cangialosi (ph).

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Lisa Bella Cannava (ph).

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Brian Cannizzaro (ph).

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Michael Canty (ph).

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Louis Anthony Caporicci (ph).

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Jonathan Neff Cappello (ph).

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: James Christopher Cappers (ph).

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Richard Michael Caproni (ph).

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Jose Manuel Cardona (ph).

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Dennis M. Carey (ph).

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Edward Carlino (ph).

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Michael Scott Carlo (ph).

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: David G. Carlone (ph).

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Rosemarie C. Carlson (ph).

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Mark Stephen Carney (ph).

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Joyce N. Carpeneto (ph).

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: And our son, Richard Michael Caproni. We miss you and love you.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Yvonne Lewis Carpio Bautista (ph).

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Jeremy M. Carrington (ph).

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Michael Carroll (ph).

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Peter Carroll (ph).

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: James Joseph Carson, Jr. (ph).

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Christopher Michael Carstengen (ph).

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Marcia Sessell Carter.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: James Marcel Cartier (ph).

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Vivian Casalduc (ph).

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: John Francis Casazza (ph).

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Paul R. Cascio (ph).

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Neeley Ann Heffernan Casey (ph).

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Thomas Anthony Casoria (ph).

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: William Otto Caspar (ph).

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Alejandro Castano (ph).

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Arcelia Castillo (ph).

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Leonard M. Castrianno (ph).

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Jose Ramon Castro (ph).

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Richard G. Catarelli (ph).

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Christopher Sean Caton (ph).

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Robert John Caufield (ph).

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Mary Teresa Caulfield (ph).

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Justin Cavalier (ph).

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Michael Joseph Cawley (ph).

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Jason David Cayne (ph).

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Juan Armando Ceballos (ph).

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Jason Michael Cefalu (ph).

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Thomas Joseph Celic (ph).

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: And my son, John Edward Balaga (ph), Jr. I love you.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: And my son, Kevin Nathaniel Colvert (ph). Kevin, your brothers and I love you and miss you very much.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Ana Mercedes Centeno (ph).

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Johnny Cesto (ph).

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Jeffrey Mark Chairnoff (ph).

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Swarna Chalasini (ph).

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: William Chalcoff (ph).

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Eli Chalouh (ph).

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Charles Lawrence Chan (ph).

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Mandy Chang (ph).

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Mark L. Charette (ph).

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Gregorio Manuel Chavez (ph).

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Delarose E. Cheatham (ph).

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Pedro Francisco Checo (ph).

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Douglas Macmillan Cherry (ph).

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Stephen Patrick Cherry (ph).

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Vernon Paul Cherry (ph).

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Nestor Chevalier (ph).

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Swede Chevalier (ph).

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Alexander H. Chiang (ph).

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Dorothy J. Chiarchiaro (ph). UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Luis Alfonso Chimbo (ph).

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Robert Chin (ph).

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Wing Wai Ching (ph).

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Nicholas P. Chiofalo (ph).

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: John Gerard Chirupa (ph).

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Peter A. Chirchirillo (ph).

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Catherine Chirls (ph).

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Kyung Hee Cho (ph).

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Abdul K. Chowdhury (ph).

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: And my beloved son, Christopher Chaffadini (ph).

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: And my daughter, Patricia Anne Simarolli Maseri (ph). We love you and we miss you.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Mohammed Hu Denini Chowdhury (ph).

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Kirsten L. Christophe (ph).

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Pamela Chu (ph).

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Steven Paul Chucknick (ph).

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Wai Chung (ph).

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Christopher Ciafardini (ph).

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Alex F. Ciccone (ph).

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Frances Ann Cilente (ph).

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Elaine Cillo (ph).

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Edna Cintron (ph).

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Netra Andrea Cintron III (ph).

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Robert Dominick Cirri (ph).

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Juan Pablo Cisnero (ph).

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Benjamin Keefe Clark (ph).

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Eugene Clark (ph).

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Gregory Allan Clark (ph).

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Mannie Leroy Clark (ph).

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Thomas R. Clark (ph).

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Christopher Robert Clarke (ph).

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Donna Marie Clarke (ph).

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Michael J. Clarke (ph).

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Suria Rachel Emma Clarke (ph).

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Kevin Francis Cleary (ph).

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: James D. Cleere (ph).

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Juppa W. Cloud (ph).

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Susan Marie Clyne (ph).

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Steven Coakley (ph).

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Jeffrey Allan Coale (ph).

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: And my son, Benjamin Keith Claude (ph). We love you, Keith, and we miss you.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: And my son, Firefighter, Squad 1, Gary Richard Box (ph).

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Patricia A. Cody (ph).

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Daniel Michael Coffey (ph).

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Jason M. Coffey (ph).

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Florence G. Cohen (ph).

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Kevin Sanford Cohen (ph).

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Anthony Joseph Coladonato (ph).

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Mark Joseph Colaio (ph).

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Stephen Colaio (ph).

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Christopher M. Colasanti (ph).

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Kevin Nathaniel Colbert (ph).

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Scott Thomas Coleman (ph).

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Keith E. Coleman (ph).

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Liam Joseph Colhoun (ph).

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Tarel Coleman (ph). UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Robert J. Coll (ph).

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Robert D. Colin (ph).

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: John Michael Collins (ph).

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Jean Marie Collin (ph).

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Tommy J. Collins (ph).

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Michael L. Collins (ph).

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Jeffrey Duane Coleman (ph).

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Joseph K. Collison (ph).

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Linda M. Colon (ph).

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Patricia Malia Colodner (ph).

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Ronald Edward Comer (ph).

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Sole E. Colon (ph).

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: And my precious son, Christopher Robert Clark. You are well missed, Bubba (ph).

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Sandra Jolene Conati Brace (ph).

And my beautiful stepdaughter, Ruth Magdalene McCourt, and her daughter, Juliana Valentine McCourt (ph).

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Jaime Concepcion (ph).

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Albert Conde (ph).

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Denease Conley (ph).

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Susan B. Conlon (ph).

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Margaret Mary Conner (ph).

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Cynthia Marie Lice Connolly (ph).

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: John E. Connolly, Jr. (ph).

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: James Lee Connor (ph).

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Jonathan M. Connor (ph).

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Kevin P. Connors (ph).

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Kevin F. Conroy (ph).

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Brenda E. Conway (ph).

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Dennis Michael Cook (ph).

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Helen D. Cook (ph).

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Jeffrey W. Combes (ph).

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: John A. Cooper (ph).

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Joseph John Coppo, Jr. (ph).

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Gerard J. Coppola (ph).

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Joseph Albert Corbett (ph).

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: John J. Cochran III (ph).

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Alejandro Cordero (ph).

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Robert Joseph Cordice (ph).

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Ruben De Correa (ph).

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Danny Arrea Corderes.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: James Corrigan (ph).

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Carlos Cortes (ph).

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Kevin M. Cosgrove (ph).

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Dolores Marie Coste (ph).

And our two sons, Keith Eugene Coleman and Scott Thomas Coleman (ph).

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Digna Alexandra Rivera Costanza (ph).

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Michael S. Costello (ph).

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Charles Gregory Costello, Jr. (ph).

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Conrod K. Cottoy (ph).

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Martin John Coughlan (ph).

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: James J. Corrigan (ph).

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Carlos Cortes (ph).

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Kevin Cosgrove (ph).

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Dolores Marie Coste (ph).

And our two sons, Keith Eugene Coleman (ph) and Scott Thomas Coleman (ph).

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Digna Alexandra Costanza (ph). UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Michael S. Costello (ph).

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Charles Gregory Costello, Jr. (ph).

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Conrod K. Cottoy (ph).

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Martin John Coughlan (ph).

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: John Gerard Coughlin (ph).

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Femoti J. Coughlin (ph).

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: James E. Cole (ph).

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Three years later, a day to remember and pay tribute to those lost. The nation marks the third anniversary of the September 11 terrorist attacks, all happening this hour, as you can see on your screen. A wreath laying at Arlington National Cemetery in Virginia.

In Shanksville, Pennsylvania, a service to honor the heroes of flight 93, the flight that crashed there. And in New York City, family members and dignitaries are reading the names of those lost in the World Trade Center attacks.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Tara Kathleen Cramer (ph).

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Joanne Mary Cregan (ph).

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Lucy Corfassi (ph).

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: John A. Crishi (ph).

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Dan Tal Cristman (ph).

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Danny Crose (ph).

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Kevin Raymond Crotti (ph).

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Thomas G. Crotti (ph).

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: John Crowe (ph).

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Weld Rami Clotour (ph).

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Robert L. Crochet (ph).

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: And my lovely son, Danny Alexander Correa Gutierrez (ph). We love you, and we miss you so, so much.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: And my son, Firefighter James Raymond Coyle (ph). We love you. We miss you.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: John Robert Druce (ph).

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Grace Yu Qua (ph). UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Kenneth John Cuvas (ph).

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Francisco Cruse Cuvero (ph).

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Delmar Cuccinero (ph).

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Richard J. Cusina (ph)

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Neal James Cudmore (ph).

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Thomas Patrick Cullen III (ph).

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Joyce Cummings (ph).

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Bryan Thomas Cummins (ph).

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Michael Joseph Cunningham (ph).

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Robert Curatolo (ph).

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Laurence Damian Curia (ph).

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Paul Dario Curioli (ph)

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Patrick Joseph Curavan (ph).

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Andrew Peter Charles Curry Green (ph).

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Beverly Curie (ph).

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Michael Sean Curtin (ph).

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Gavin Cushny (ph).

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Manuel John da Mota (ph).

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Caleb Aaron Dack (ph).

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Carlos S. Dacosta (ph)

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Bryan Paul Dale (ph).

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: John D'Allara (ph).

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Vincent Gerard D'Amadeo (ph).

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Thomas A. Damaskinos (ph).

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Jack D'Ambrosi (ph).

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Jeannine Marie Damiani-Jones (ph).

GEORGINA TODD: (SINGING "THE NATIONAL ANTHEM")

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Wayne Perial Davis (ph).

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Let us pray.

Almighty God, we come to you this morning on the third anniversary of this attack on our great nation. We are mindful that it is by your grace that we have been sustained. And we plead the words of our savior written in the Holy Scriptures, "Blessed are they who mourn, for they shall be comforted."

Father, before us today stand the family and friends who have been united in grief, coming from many different walks of life, faith backgrounds, creeds, nationality. And yet the one thing that brings us together is that we knew a loved one who perished three years ago in the Pentagon.

And we remember them. We honor their memory. We honor their lives and their love.

Father, I pray that you would bless our service to this morning to you. We ask, God, that you would continue to encourage us to stand and do that which is right.

Whether the casualties were armed forces members, Department of Defense civilians or contractors, or those who were of the crew, or passengers of flight 77, they have paid a price.

We thank you for their sacrifice. We honor them today.

And now, as we continue in this service, we pray your comfort and your blessing and your encouragement upon these who grieve. Strengthen our nation. We will not forget.

We pray in your precious holy name, Amen.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: In just a moment, it will be 0937, the exact moment three years ago that the plane crashed into the Pentagon. We will now take a moment of silence in tribute and honor, in memory of the lives who were lost that morning.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Ladies and gentlemen, the vice chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, General Peter Pace.

GEN. PETER PACE, VICE CHAIRMAN, JOINT CHIEFS OF STAFF: It is my great honor and privilege to be here with you this morning and, along with Secretary Rumsfeld, to represent all the fabulous young men and women who serve in our armed forces today.

It is an honor, but it's also a bit daunting for me, because I don't know how I can put into words to properly articulate what it is I feel in my heart, and what all of us feel in our heart today, as we remember those who lost their lives here and in Pennsylvania and in New York.

For those of us who serve in uniform, we have inherited a fabulous legacy from those who served before us. And it's in many forms.

First, it is clearly the courage and patriotism that those who have gone before us have shown in battle. And it is in large measure because of that patriotism and that courage that those of us who go into combat today know that, above all, our actions will never let down the legacy of those fabulous men and women who served our country so proudly before.

And the fear of somehow not serving them, and not serving their country as well as they did, overcomes the natural fear of being in combat.

But we also have received a legacy from those who have gone before in the form of selfless service. And there's absolutely no doubt in my mind that on September 11, 2001, those who came to serve that day in the Pentagon did not walk in the front door saying to themselves, Ah, another day of selfless service. If they did, they probably said it with a smile on their face.

But the fact is, that's exactly what they were doing. As they had done so many days before, they were coming in early to leave late, to serve this country as best they could at the job that they were doing. And we're proud of that service.

And those of us who serve in the Pentagon today walk a little taller and are focused a little bit more with the memory that those men and women on 11 September died doing what we do today, died serving their country in a selfless manner.

And those on the plane were living a legacy that we have all inherited, a life of freedom, the right to travel, the right to do what they wanted to do that day with their lives in pursuit of happiness.

Now, most of those who were in the Pentagon that day had taken an oath. It's a little bit different, depending upon what position you have. But they each had said something very similar to this.

I do solemnly swear that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic, and that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same, that I take this obligation freely, without any mental reservation or purposive evasion, and that I will well and faithfully discharge the duties of the office upon which I'm about to enter, so help me God.

Those of us who wear this uniform today reaffirm that oath. We promise you, the families and friends of those who died here, and in Pennsylvania, and in New York, that as long as we have a breath to breathe, we will defend this nation, and that we will ensure that generations of Americans yet to come enjoy the same freedoms and liberties that we have inherited.

We ask the good Lord today to pay special attention to those we lost here. And because we cannot, we ask him to give them a hug for us.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: The secretary of defense, the honorable Donald H. Rumsfeld. DONALD RUMSFELD, SECRETARY OF DEFENSE: Chaplain Kerr, Mayor Williams, the civilian and military leadership of the Department of Defense, the Army, the Navy, the Air Force, and the Marines, Deputy Secretary Wolfowitz, and distinguished officials, families, and friends that we honor today, thank you all for being here.

We think of you often. We remember your loss, our loss, the country's loss, and the loss of precious lives not lived, colleagues from the Pentagon, passengers aboard 77, and crew members.

More than two centuries have passed since an assembly of citizens established a public root in liberty and cemented in place by their belief in the inalienable right of man. The idea of government by the people was a truly audacious thought back then when our country was founded. And in many parts of the world, it is still an audacious thought today.

There's always been those who benefit by the rule of the few, by the tyrants. And because America and freedom represent everything they preach against, they have fought our nation since its founding in one way or another. Free societies are, in a very real sense, an affront to their worldview. Free systems are the truth that points out their lies.

They must know that if, given a real choice, the people they try to intimidate and rule would prefer freedom to that which the extremists offer.

Over the centuries, these enemies have come in many forms, Nazis, fascists, communists, fanatics, extremists of one type or another. And they've killed millions trying to impose their wills. In those battles, America has, of course, lost many lives, those who were innocent victims of the violence, and the lives, also, of those who courageously sacrificed themselves to defend our ideals.

Here in this place, we need not look far in any direction to see tens of thousands of reminders of those sacrifices. Brave patriots occupy these hills, just as they occupy the cemeteries across the globe. And they include the souls we gather to honor and remember today.

And to their friends and families, our nation offers our heartfelt condolences, our gratitude, and our prayers.

It's common to hear that the taking of life was senseless. But those who inflicted this suffering had a sinister logic. They believed that by killing thousands of our citizens that they could frighten and intimidate our country, our people, that they could shake the trust that we have in each other, and that they could weaken the glue that holds our society together.

They wanted America to retreat from the world so that they could impose their ideology of oppression and of hatred. They thought they could strike us with impunity, and that we would acquiesce, that the American soldier and the American people themselves were, in the words of one of their leaders, a paper tiger. Those we mourn today were not the first victims in the war declared against us by the extremists, nor were they the last. All across the world, the enemy has taken innocent lives. Extremists think nothing of cutting off people's heads to advance their cause. They've murdered innocents, even hundreds of schoolchildren recently, from countries across the globe, and even today they plot to strike again.

But the enemies have underestimated our country. They fail to understand the character of our people, and they misread our commander in chief.

Shortly after the September 11 attacks, President Bush told a shaken nation, he said, quote, "The course of this conflict is not known, yet its outcome is certain. Freedom and fear, justice and cruelty have always been at war. And we know that God is not neutral between them."

The wound that was opened three years ago will always be with us. We know that. Yet our grief has found its purpose. September 11 was a call to arms. And once again, brave men and women from our country have deployed abroad to defend freedom. And once again, an uncertain world looks to America and our allies to lead the way. And once again, a determined enemy faces the arsenal of a purposeful nation awakened to danger.

In 1941, shortly after the attack on Pearl Harbor, British Prime Minister Winston Churchill addressed the United States Congress in Washington, D.C., warning Americans of the great struggle before them. Churchill, of course, had warned of the Nazi advance long before it was accepted wisdom, and people properly gave his words great weight.

He said, "Sure I am that this day, now, we are the masters of our fate, that the task which has been set before us is not above our strength, that its pangs and toils are not beyond our endurance. As long as we have faith in our cause and an unconquerable willpower, salvation will not be denied us."

Decades later, we again resolve to remain true to the mission that has been set before us. The lives that were lost on September 11 have meaning. They live on as a testament to a country that is courageous, that is determined, to a people that are resilient despite great loss, and to a cause that continues until that mission is accomplished and beyond.

May the Lord watch over all of us and bless our great country.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Ladies and gentlemen, would you please stand for the replaying -- the playing of "Taps," and remain standing during the benediction?

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Let us pray.

Almighty God, we stand in need of your grace and your mercy. We remember those who have gone before to preserve for us a heritage of freedom. We thank you for their sacrifice. Today we especially remember those who perished in the attack on our Pentagon.

Father, where we are hurting, we pray that you would give hope. Where we are weak, we pray that you would give strength.

Father, we pray that you would comfort these who stand today with memories of lost loved ones, their love, their laughter, their life. We hold onto those memories. Bless and encourage them with a hope that is eternal.

And we remember those who continue to sacrifice in the war on terrorism. God, now we ask that you would watch over our soldiers, sailors, airmen, Marines, who are deployed. Bless them and bless their families.

Again, Father, we submit ourselves humbly to you and to your gracious care. We pray in your precious name, Amen.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Please be seated.

Ladies and gentlemen, would you stand and join our chief musician Georgina Todd in singing "Amazing Grace"? The words are found on the inside cover of your program.

GEORGINA TODD: (SINGING "AMAZING GRACE")

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