12th Anniversary Of September 11, 2001 World Trade Center Towers And Pentagon Attack - Our Hearts Still Ache Says President Obama

Here's what the World Trade Center attacks looked like from Roosevelt Island on September 11, 2001.

Main Street WIRE Image Of Smoke From World Trade Center Attack by Vicki Feinmel/Linda Heimer

Below is the Roosevelt Island 9/11 Remembrance Garden in Good Shepherd Plaza

Images of Roosevelt Island's Remembrance Garden

and the plaque that honors those Roosevelt Islanders who died in the terrorist attack:

Ed Beyea, Anthony J. Fallone, Taimour Khan, Scott Larsen, Kevin J. Smith and the firefighters who were based on Roosevelt Island Deputy Chief Ray Downey, Deputy Chief Charlie Kasper, Battalion Chief John Moran, and Battalion Chief John Paolillo.

Image From Roosevelt Island 360

In past years, the Roosevelt Island Operating Corp (RIOC) and Roosevelt Island Residents Associations (RIRA) jointly held an annual 9/11 Memorial Service on the anniversary of that terrible day. But not since 2011.

President Barack Obama has this to say earlier today.
 

NY State Governor Andrew Cuomo added:

It’s hard to imagine that it’s been 12 years. In some ways so much has changed and in some ways so much remains the same. Physically there has been much progress. The stunning memorial that has been built, office buildings that have been built, the Freedom Tower now an international symbol of New York’s resilience. But despite the billions spent, despite all the years of construction, some things remain the same and some things should remain the same at Ground Zero. The reality is that Ground Zero witnessed the worst of humanity and at the same moment, the best of humanity. It is the site where we lost 2,606 souls that day, among them 403 first responders, 343 firefighters, including 11 firefighters from Rescue 1; but tens of thousands of New Yorkers were led to safety by these heroes. “This morning we took the ride that the Rescue 1 firefighters would have taken 12 years ago when they got the call to leave the firehouse early that September day. And I imagine that they knew that they were headed into danger, and I imagine that on that ride they were thinking about their sons and their daughters and they were thinking about their husbands or wives and their mothers and their fathers. But they continued on the ride, straight and strong, without deviation and without delay. And they made a point that is as true that morning as it is today – they proved to the world that strength and courage will always conquer weakness and cowardice. That duty and honor and service are paramount. They are words to live by and yes they are words to die by. And that the American spirit, defended by proud New Yorkers, will not be defeated. That lesson and that example lives today as powerful as it was 12 years ago. And it will live on in our hearts every day to guide and to inspire. That will be true for generations to come. May God bless the families of the victims, may God bring them peace, and may God bless the State of New York and the United States of America.

and from Roosevelt Island's Congresswoman Carolyn Maloney

Today we mark the 12th anniversary of 9-11, a day that changed America forever. We solemnly remember the 3,000 who died. And we honor the living - whose valor and courage propelled them through the smoke – led them to brave the fires – and steadied them in their daunting work. Since that day – much has changed and much has been restored. 10 million people have visited memorial plaza that opened in 2011.The museum opens next spring. The 104-story Freedom Tower - next year. But there are still men and women who suffer now – or will suffer later - from the effects of that massive toxic stew that enveloped lower Manhattan for months. So, on this special day – I would like to remind everyone – that the final deadline to register for the benefits under the 9/11 Victims Compensation Fund is October 3. Please, let everyone know - registering will cost you nothing.”

What a horrible day.