Calendar: Solemn Remembrance: USA President begins 24 hours of observances of 9/11's 5th anniversary

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USA President George W. Bush began the observances of the Fifth Anniversary of the attacks on America on September 11, 2001 (the day now known simply as 9/11), attacks by Islamofascist terrorists. Associated Press via CNN reports:

President Bush and his wife Laura stood in somber silence on Sunday after laying wreaths at the ground zero site where the twin towers of the World Trade Center once stood.

They honored the victims of the September 11 attacks on a tour that will take them to all three sites of devastation on the fifth anniversary of the attacks.

The Bushes set floral wreaths adrift in ponds of water that mark the former location of the north and south towers. They uttered no words, and walked hand-in-hand on the floor of the cavernous pit, after a slow procession down the long, flag-lined ramp from the street level four to five stories above.

The Bushes then attended a service of prayer and remembrance at nearby St. Paul's Chapel.

The 240-year-old Episcopal church, across the street from the site, escaped damage and became a center of refuge for weary rescue workers.

They were the first stops of nearly 24 hours of observances at the three sites where terrorists wrought death and destruction and transformed his presidency. Nearly 3,000 Americans were killed in the attacks.

On Monday, the anniversary, he was to visit with firefighters and other emergency workers at a firehouse in lower Manhattan; attend a ceremony at the field in Shanksville, Pennsylvania, where one of the hijacked planes hurtled to the ground; and participate in a wreath-laying ceremony at the Pentagon.

He also was to speak to Americans during a prime-time TV address Monday night from the Oval Office.

-- Owlb, editor, refWrite

Further Info:

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