NEW YORK (AP) — Americans are pausing once again to mark the anniversary of the Sept. 11 terror attacks, but this year's ceremonies are more low-key than the previous 10.
Relatives of victims have gathered once again for the reading of names at the World Trade Center site. Bagpipes played at the Sept. 11 memorial, which opened a year ago. Family members holding balloons, flowers and photos of their loved ones bowed their heads in silence at 8:46 a.m., the moment the first hijacked jetliner crashed into the north tower, and again to mark the other three crashes from that day.
But for the first time, no elected officials were speaking at the New York ceremony.
A woman whose husband died in the World Trade Center says she feels "much more relaxed" this year, without the "pressure" of last year's 10th anniversary.
President Barack Obama and first lady Michelle Obama joined staff in observing a moment of silence at the White House, laid a wreath at the Pentagon and visited Arlington National Cemetery. They also plan to meet with wounded soldiers at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center
Vice President Joe Biden flew to Pennsylvania to deliver remarks at the spot where Flight 93 went down.
%@AP Links
180-a-14-(President Barack Obama, at 9/11 anniversary ceremony)-"we stand for"-President Barack Obama says 9/11 will always provide the nation with a reminder. (11 Sep 2012)
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177-a-12-(President Barack Obama, at 9/11 anniversary ceremony)-"and back here"-President Barack Obama says the memories of 9/11 remain vivid. (11 Sep 2012)
<<CUT *177 (09/11/12)>> 00:12 "and back here"
185-w-33-(Sagar Meghani (SAH'-gur meh-GAH'-nee), AP national security correspondent, with sound of bugler and President Barack Obama)--President Barack Obama has helped mark 9/11's 11th anniversary. AP National Security Correspondent Sagar Meghani reports from the Pentagon. ((opens with sound)) (11 Sep 2012)
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182-r-46-(Sound bugler playing taps, at 9/11 anniversary ceremony)--This is the sound of a bugler playing taps at the 9/11 anniversary ceremony at the Pentagon. (11 Sep 2012)
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186-v-36-(Warren Levinson, AP correspondent)--Today's anniversary ceremony at ground zero of the Nine Eleven terror attacks isn't as big as it was in previous years. AP correspondent Warren Levinson reports. (11 Sep 2012)
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174-r-16-(Sound of family members reading names of loved ones who died in World Trade Center attacks, during 9/11 memorial ceremony at World Trade Center site)--Sound of family members at the 9/11 memorial ceremony at the World Trade Center site reading names of loved ones who died in the World Trade Center attacks. (11 Sep 2012)
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APPHOTO NYR312: NA woman becomes emotional while viewing the names of victims etched into the National September 11 Memorial during ceremonies marking the eleventh anniversary of the terrorist attacks at the World Trade Center, Tuesday, Sept 11, 2012 in New York. (AP Photo/ John Moore, Pool) (11 Sep 2012)
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APPHOTO NYRD113: An American flag is inserted in one of the of names engraved at the north reflecting pool at the World Trade Center Memorial, during the 11th anniversary observance of the attacks at the World Trade Center, in New York, Sept. 11 2012. (AP Photo/Mike Segar, Pool) (11 Sep 2012)
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APPHOTO NYCK102: Ten lit candles and ten red roses rest on a memorial at New York City's Engine 8 and Ladder 2 firehouse on East 51st Street following a ceremony honoring fallen FDNY firefighters and victims on the 11th anniversary of the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks, Tuesday, Sept. 11, 2012 in New York. Ten members of the station died in the attack. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa) (11 Sep 2012)
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