A solemn ceremony marked the fourth anniversary of September 11, 2001

The names of the 2,749 victims who perished in the terrorist attack on the twin towers resounded in the empty space known as Ground Zero Sunday morning as the siblings of those lost led the solemn ceremony to mark the fourth anniversary of September 11, 2001.

On this sunny day so like that Tuesday four years ago, hundreds of family members of 9/11 victims joined Gov. George Pataki, Mayor Michael Bloomberg, U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, and other officials at the World Trade Center site. Adjacent sidewalks were filled with visitors who quietly paid their respects.

The ceremony began with the Brooklyn Youth Chorus singing "The Star Spangled Banner" as the flag that flew over the Trade Center until October 2001 was unfolded and displayed before the assembled crowd of victims' families and members from police and fire departments in New York City and elsewhere.

Many relatives held flowers, clutched photos, and wore t-shirts with images of their loved ones to commemorate the occasion. Red Cross volunteers were on hand throughout the area distributing bottled water and tissues. The ceremony lasted more than three hours, with each sibling reading a list of names and ending by stating those of their own loved ones, often adding a personal sentiment.

"My brother [John] wanted me to understand that each day should be lived to the fullest. That life is short and that I should try to find happiness, even when I am surrounded by sadness," said Anthoula Katsimatides, who spoke before the list of names began to be read in alphabetical order by pairs of siblings shortly before 9 a.m. 

At 8:46 a.m. a moment of silence was observed to commemorate the moment four years ago that American Airlines Flight 11 struck the Trade Center's north tower. Seventeen minutes later, another silent moment was observed to recall when United Airlines Flight 175 crashed into the south tower. The ceremony paused twice more to mark the times when each tower fell.  

"As we listen today to these sisters and brothers, we are reminded that there are ties between all men and women. That we are all linked to one another in our common humanity. That in a fundamental way we are all brothers and sisters," Bloomberg said at the start of the ceremony. The mayor also made reference to those who died in the recent London subway bombings, as well as the victims of Hurricane Katrina.

Mourners laid flowers in a pool of water at the site's bedrock

"Every year that we return here on the anniversary of that terrible day, we come to keep a promise: to remember those who died, not just as names or as part of a large number, but as individuals whose lives still burn bright," Pataki said.

The day's commemorative events concluded with the annual Tribute in Light at sundown.

A complete list of the names of the 2,749 World Trade Center victims can be found here.  

For a slide show of September 11th Anniversary Ceremonies please click here.