A return to the WTC site planned to mark 9-11 anniversary

Following the tradition that has been set for observance of the 9/11 anniversary, a commemorative ceremony honoring the lives lost that day will be held at the World Trade Center site on the morning of September 11, 2004, the mayor and governor announced on Monday. Parents and grandparents will play a central role, taking turns reading from the list of names that includes the children and grandchildren they survive.

"This anniversary, the hearts and minds of our city, our country, and freedom-loving people from around the world will again turn toward the World Trade Center site," Mayor Michael Bloomberg said in a statement. "We are forever mindful of the grief still felt by families, and heartfelt in our desire to honor the heroes of that day," he continued.

The children of 9/11 victims were asked to play a central role in last year's commemorative events, and the decision to this year ask parents and grandparents to lead the ceremony was made "to acknowledge their great sacrifice and thank them for helping all of us to shoulder their loss," the mayor said. Letters were mailed to family members this week asking them to suggest parents and grandparents for the reading of the names, and participants will be selected by lottery.

As in previous years, there will be four pauses in the ceremony, marking the times that each plane struck the towers and the times that the towers themselves fell. The first moment of silence will be observed at 8:46 a.m. throughout the city and the state, at which point houses of worship will be encouraged to toll their bells.

"As we approach this third anniversary and continue to rebuild our city by reclaiming our skyline through the Freedom Tower and building a fitting memorial, we are reminded that all that we do to renew Lower Manhattan is done in tribute to the lives we lost," Gov. George Pataki said in a statement. "I have asked for a statewide moment of silence and ringing of bells at 8:46 a.m.," he continued, "so that together all New Yorkers, as well as people from across the country and around the world, can honor the memory of those we lost and remember the spirit of freedom that prevailed on that day."

Sundown will bring the ceremonial annual return of the "Tribute of Light," parallel beams of light shot skyward to represent the fallen towers.

A sunflower left in tribute outside 2002 anniversary event

Music will provide a backdrop throughout the program, and an all-agency honor guard made up of individuals representing city, state, federal, and non-profit agencies including the New York City Fire Department (FDNY), New York City Police Department (NYPD), Port Authority Police Department (PAPD), and representatives of the victims' families will participate in the ceremony.

As has been the case in previous commemorative events, priority will be given to the families of those who died on September 11, 2001, but public access will be permitted as space allows. Information about access, transportation, and other logistics of the day will be disseminated to the families through the Mayor's Community Assistance Unit.

Additional details about the morning and evening events will be released in early September. The following is a preliminary outline of the commemoration program, but details are subject to change: