NY wants Simple 9/11 Commemeration

[Manu]

Former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani will lead a reading of names of those killed at the World Trade Center in a September 11 ceremony marking the anniversary of the attacks, Mayor Michael Bloomberg said Tuesday.

"Our intent is to have a day of observances that are simple and powerful," Bloomberg said as he outlined plans for the commemoration.

Early on September 11, five separate bagpipe and drum corps will begin to march toward the World Trade Center from each of the five boroughs, and will converge at Ground Zero shortly before 8 a.m., Bloomberg said.

A moment of silence at 8:46 a.m., coinciding with the moment the first hijacked airliner struck the north tower, will be followed by New York Gov. George Pataki's reading of Abraham Lincoln's Gettysburg Address.

Houses of worship will be encouraged to toll bells at 10:29 a.m., when the second tower collapsed, after which families will be invited to enter the pit of Ground Zero.

"They will have an opportunity to remember their loved ones on what many consider sacred ground," Bloomberg said.

President Bush will visit New York City late in the afternoon. Heads of state will be invited to attend a sunset ceremony at Battery Park City, where Bloomberg will ignite an eternal flame and read "Four Freedoms" by Franklin D. Roosevelt.

Bloomberg said 90-minute ceremonies are planned in Central Park and elsewhere across the city.

Government offices and schools will be open, Bloomberg said

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