Solemn ceremonies are being held today at Ground Zero, the Pentagon, and Shanksville, Pa., to mark the ninth anniversary of the 9/11 attacks. President Obama , speaking at the Pentagon, said Americans held true to their ideals in the face of attempts by terrorists to "divide and demoralize us." In New York, at Ground Zero, the names of the victims of 9/11 are being read. Vice President Biden was in attendance. At Shanksville, Pa., first lady Michelle Obama and former first lady Laura Bush attended ceremonies at the site where passengers brought down a hijacked plane, foiling attempts by terrorists to attack elsewhere in Washington, D.C.
Speaking at "hallowed ground" at the Pentagon, the president alluded to the controversy over plans for an Islamic center near Ground Zero — and a Florida pastor's threat, later rescinded, to burn copies of the Muslim holy book. Obama made it clear that the U.S. is not at war with Islam and called the al-Qaeda attackers "a sorry band of men" who perverted religion.
Update at 12:43 a.m. ET: Demonstrators in lower Manhattan have begun to gather in support of a planned Islamic center that has generated controversy because it is two blocks from Ground Zero, the Associated Press reports. There were no protests at the Ground Zero ceremony itself, although some people reading out the names of victims of 9/11 alluded to the emotional debate about the planned Islamic center and mosque.
Another rally is planned nearby, where organizers say they will speak out against the project. They believe it is insensitive to build a mosque so close to where Islamic extremists attacked the city. Supporters say it is a matter of religious freedom and bridging understanding.
Relatives of 9/11 victims differ on whether today is the appropriate time to speak out, pro or con, on the proposed Islamic center near Ground Zero.
The Washington Post reports that the counter-protestors planned to gather on the west side of City Hall around 1 p.m. ET and march "against racism and for unity" to Park Place. Later in the day, a large group of opponents of the mosque planned a "9/11 Rally of Remembrance" also at the corner of Park Place and West Broadway.
Update at 11:51 a.m. ET: USA TODAY's Marisa Kendall sends us this file from the Pentagon ceremony:
Gary McKinzy, 53, came to Washington from Fayetteville, Ga., to remember his wife who was killed in the Pentagon attack. Nine years later, he says, the pain has not faded. "It's still the same day for me, but I just try to cope with it each and every day." He says the yearly speeches help him. "The whole speech was moving," McKinzy says. "I think she would have really enjoyed it. I'm sure she's looking down on us right now."
Chaquita Young, 26, of Marlboro, Md., was wearing a pin that bore the face of his mother, who died in the attack. "The funny thing about it was she called my home around 9:30 and, unfortunately, it happened at 9:37," Young says. The advice she has learned from the loss of her mother is: "Love one another. Don't take anything for granted. And always tell that person 'I love you,' because tomorrow is never promised."
Update at 11:12 a.m. ET: At Ground Zero, crowd mem
People stand at the reflecting pool at Ground Zero during the annual 9/11 memorial service Saturday in New York City
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By Andrew Mills, Getty Images
bers hold up photos of loved ones when their names are read and signs that read ''Love you, Daddy'' and "My hero before 9/11.'' The ceremony unfolds under beautiful sunny skies with temperatures in the low 60s. Some family members throw roses into a circular pool as names are read. Mary Fetchet, who heard her son Brad's name read for the ninth year, said politics seem forgotten on this day. "We're here to support one another," she says. "The community is unifying. … This morning, there's respect, unity and support for each other. It's heartwarming. ''
Top Marine commander in Afghanistan says next summer's pullout deadline likely to slip for Marines in Helmand province.
Update at 10:34 a.m. ET: First lady Michelle Obama, speaking at Shanksville, Pa., says she comes as an American who is "filled with a sense of awe of the heroism of my fellow citizens."
Update at 10:24: Former first lady Laura Bush, speaking at Shanksville, Pa., where a hijacked plane crashed after the terrorist attackers were overpowered by passengers, says that on 9/11 "we saw the worst of our enemies and the best of our nation."
"America was attacked, but the deepest belief of our democracy was vindicated," she says, "that our greatness and strength is found in the character of our citizens." She says, "Americans have no division" on this day.
Update at 10:16 a.m. ET: At the Pentagon, USA TODAY's Marisa Kendall reports that there was polite applause when the president took the stage. A middle-aged woman put an arm around her companion as the president spoke about honoring the lives lost in the attacks. Afterward, the military band started playing again; guests began mingling and conversing as a few children ran between the groups of adults.
Update at 10:01 a.m. ET: Jay Winuk, whose younger brother Glenn, 40, a volunteer EMT, was killed in the collapse of the World Trade Center's south tower, tells USA TODAY's Rick Hampson that there is a risk that 9/11 as a day of remembrance and service could be politicized. "The day should be reserved for those who lost loved ones so they can remember them," he says. " He adds: "It saddens me that there's so much controversy and divisiveness right now related to 9/11. Will it be the worst 9/11 since 2001? We won't know until 9/12. It's always a difficult day.''
Update at 9:43 a.m. ET: Obama says we will not hunker down behind walls of mistrust and "suspicion." Instead, he says, the nation will resist "those who sought to divide and demoralize us." "We will stay true to our traditions at home, as a diverse and tolerant nation," he says. "We will not give in to their hatred," Obama said, despite the terrorists' efforts to spark conflicts among faiths. "As Americans, we will not or ever be at war with Islam."
More here on the Pentagon ceremony and Obama's speech from our colleagues at The Oval.
Update at 9:40 a.m. ET: The president says those who died are etched in our nation's memory "now and forever." Those who attacked on 9/11, the president says in his remarks, were attacking the ideals of the United States. America's greatest weapon, he says, is to "stay true to who we are as Americans."
Update at 9:34 a.m. ET: President Obama, speaking at the Pentagon, says this is a day of remembrance and reflection and "with God's grace, a day of unity and renewal. "
Update 9:31 am. ET: President Obama is laying a wreath at the Pentagon in memory of 184 people who died when a plane crashed into the building.
Update at 9:18 a.m. ET: At the Pentagon, USA TODAY's Marisa Kendall reports that family members are wearing red-white-and-blue ribbons as they await the ceremony. Some are also wearing small pictures of the loved ones they lost on this day nine years ago. Each victim is honored by a bench engraved with his or her name that stands over a stream of flowing water. Family members are having their photographs taken while seated on the individual benches.
Update at 9:03 a.m. ET: A second moment of silence is observed marking the time that a second plane hit the towers.
Update at 8:46 a.m. ET: Mayor Michael Bloomberg says: "We will build, on the footprints of the past, the foundations of the future."
He calls for a moment of silence, marking the time that the first plane struck the World Trade Center nine years ago.
Photos: America pays tribute to ninth anniversary of 9/11
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