The 19th anniversary of the terrorist attacks of September, 11, 2001, was marked intimately on Friday as America again copes with enormous loss.
From New York City to Washington, DC, to Pennsylvania – where nearly 3,000 people perished when hijackers took control of four commercial airplanes and crashed them into the World Trade Center, the Pentagon, and a field in Shanksville – relatives of the dead and politicians wore masks and tried to stand six feet apart as they paid their respects.
Solemn events marking the day that never ends were altered this year by the seemingly endless coronavirus pandemic that has claimed more than 190,000 lives.
At 8:46 a.m. ET in New York, the time the first plane struck the North Tower of the World Trade Center, a moment of silence was held at the site, with uniformed first responders and families honoring loved ones donning masks as an eerie siren blared in the distance.
Unlike previous years, when the site of the attacks filled with people and victims’ names were read by family members from a stage, the prerecorded names were played over speakers to avoid close contact.
Vice President Mike Pence and Joe Biden, the Democratic candidate for president, exchanged elbow bumps before socially distancing as they stood with their wives at the National September 11 Memorial & Museum.
Pence shared a prayer from Psalm 23:1-6.
“In the memory of all those we lost on this day 19 years ago,” he said in brief remarks. “In memory of the heroes that were forged that day. And heroes forged on battlefields ever since. And for the families, loved ones and friends they left behind. I pray these ancient words for comfort of your hearts and ours.”
Members of Congress also observed the anniversary at the Capitol in Washington.
In Pennsylvania, the names of the 40 passengers and crew that died in the United Flight crash were read out at the Flight 93 National Memorial in Shanksville.
Two remembrance bells were rung after each name at an event attended by President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump.
“To every 9/11 member all across this nation: The First Lady and I come to this hallowed ground deeply aware that we cannot fill the void in your heart or erase the terrible sorrow of this day,” the President said.
“The agony renewed, the nightmare relived, the wounds reopened, the last treasured words played over and over again in your minds.
He added, “But while we cannot erase your pain, we can help to shoulder your burden. We promise that unwavering love that you so want and need, support, devotion and the very special devotion of all Americans.”
Trump spoke of the bravery of passengers who fought back against hijackers who intended to crash into the US Capitol.
“In this Pennsylvania field, the 40 intrepid souls of Flight 93 died as true heroes,” he said. “Their momentous deeds will outlive us all.”
He also remembered the first responders.
“On that day, more than 400 first responders gave their lives – including 23 New York City police officers, 37 Port Authority workers, and 343 New York City firefighters,” Trump said. “Today, we honor their extraordinary sacrifice, and every first responder who keeps America safe.”
Biden and his wife, Jill, later visited the Shanksville memorial, where he laid a wreath.
“It’s hard to underestimate the willingness of decent people to literally lay down their lives,” Biden told reporters, referring to the Flight 93 passengers.
For many people, the lingering trauma of 9/11 has been compounded by the enormous loss of the pandemic.
“Every year is hard,” said Raymond Sanchez Jr., who remembered his father, Raymond Sr. – a contractor who died in the North Tower – at the Lower Manhattan ceremony.
“2020 has been excruciating and so it makes it a little harder. You feel stuff more when you are going through a rough patch, and 2020 has been so exhausting.”
CNN’s Maria Santana contributed.