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CNN Live Today

Ceremony Held at Arlington for 9/11 Pentagon Victims

Aired September 12, 2002 - 11:35   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

DARYN KAGAN, CNN ANCHOR: We want to bring you up to date about another special ceremony that was held this morning, at Arlington National Cemetery. It was a funeral service for all 184 victims of the attack on the Pentagon. There was special emphasis on families whose loved ones' remains who were never identified.
Our national correspondent Bob Franken joining us live from Arlington this morning.

Bob, good morning.

BOB FRANKEN, CNN NATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Good morning, Daryn.

And of course, it is probably by now everybody has heard: There are 260,000 who are buried or memorialized here at Arlington National Cemetery. And now we can add the 184 victims of the Pentagon attack.

Of course, the sad sounds of "Taps" played at grave site, a special grave site, for procedure here that's called a group burial. It Includes five of the victims of the Pentagon attack whose remains were never identified and the remains from others, all cremated and put in one coffin. Family members and several hundred others -- there actually 2,000 to 3,000 -- attended services. Burial was at the grave site, which will overlook the Pentagon. As a matter of fact, when the leaves are off the trees, we are told, the Pentagon across the river will actually cast a shadow on this monument, which itself is a five- sided monument with all 184 victims of the attack on it.

There were services earlier, in the structure, in this memorial complex, Arlington National Cemetery, that is rarely used for such services: the amphitheater there. The defense secretary echoed remarks from the president; just about everybody else who spoke said the victims here and in New York will not be forgotten.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

DONALD RUMSFELD, DEFENSE SECRETARY: Soldier and civilian alike, they were dedicated to their cause of freedom. Young and old, their lives and their deaths, gave birth to a new pride and patriotism that has rekindled the flame of freedom across this land. They will be remembered; we will not forget.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

FRANKEN: The services were held on this day, a day after the September 11 remembrances yesterday, because the families were still in town, participating in the services of the Pentagon, where their loved ones lives came to a tragic end. And now, once again they are being told that a grateful nation will see to it that their lives were not lost in vain -- Daryn.

KAGAN: Bob Franken, in Arlington, thank you so much.

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