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Remembering the Victims of the 9/11 Terrorist Attacks; Tracking Hurricane Ike: Landfall in Texas Expected Soon
Aired September 11, 2008 - 09:00 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
HEIDI COLLINS, CNN ANCHOR: Good morning, everybody. You are in the CNN NEWSROOM.
It is Thursday, September 11th, the seventh anniversary of the terrorist attacks on the United States. A nation comes together this morning to remember. Ceremonies in New York, Washington, and Shanksville, Pennsylvania where United Flight 93 came down.
We will bring you the dedication of the First National Memorial to 9/11 at the Pentagon. Plus, reflections from our own correspondents who were there, when American Flight 77 crashed into the building.
Our coverage begins at Ground Zero this morning.
As you would imagine, very solemn ceremonies under way there right now honoring the 2,751 people killed in the World Trade Center attacks.
Our Christine Romans is there and joins us now -- Christine?
CHRISTINE ROMANS, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Hi there, Heidi.
COLLINS: Christine, go ahead.
ROMANS: You can see an elegant ceremony going on behind me right now. Mayor Bloomberg opened things up, gave a small speech where he read an Irish proverb. He said death leaves a heartache no one can heal. Love leaves a memory no one can feel.
And you're already hearing the children reading the names of their parents who died in the World Trade Center seven years ago today. And you're hearing from the students as well -- New York City students who are here on behalf of their countries.
Mayor Bloomberg saying this is a day of unit and shared loss but also looking forward to the future.
Some of these students very poised. And some of the children, as well, very, very poised, Heidi. It's incredible to think that some of these kids were just little babies when they lost their mother or father in the World Trade Center.
In fact, there are 100 children who were born after their fathers died here. And somewhere between 800 and 2,000 children who lost parents. It is indeed, of course, a day of numbers. We're going to hear 2,751 names read here. And we have firefighters and port authority officers and police officers. And then, of course, we'll be waiting for 9:03 when there'll be another moment of silence.
There was one at 8:46 when the first plane hit -- that commemorate when the first plane hit. But there will be another moment of silence at 9:03, Heidi, and that is when the second...
COLLINS: All right...
ROMANS: ... plane hit the World Trade Center behind me.
COLLINS: In fact, Christine, let's go ahead and listen to that moment of silence, which should be just seconds away now.
Again, coming to us from the World Trade Center where we are remembering September 11th.
(MOMENT OF SILENCE)
GOV. DAVID PATERSON (D), NEW YORK: The great French Algerian writer Albert Camus once asked, what is to be done when we have lost a loved one that gives rise to such suffering? He answered his own question this way: to know how to suffer, to know how to love.
And when everything falls apart, to take everything up once more, simply the richer for our suffering.
Happy, almost out of our awareness of our misery. So many things are susceptible of being loved that, surely, no discouragement can be final.
CAROLYN STAUB BILELIS, SISTER: My name is Carolyn Staub Bilelis and my awesome little brother Craig William Staub worked on the 89th floor of Tower Two.
Words cannot describe a man who brought a love of life and a wacky sense of humor into every room he entered, who's purity of heart was obvious, even to strangers.
Maybe that's why a couple he met on vacation asked him to be best man at their wedding. In his brief life, Craig managed to achieve great success without ever putting on airs. And he went out of his way when someone needed help. He even collected leftovers at company events to hand out to the homeless.
As many times as I have tried to make sense of his loss, to understand how this could all be part of God's plan, finally something has occurred to me. Craig left us way too early, but in doing so, he bestowed upon us a great gift. The gift of inspiration.
His loss helped open our eyes, not just to see and appreciate him more clearly, but to endeavor, more than ever, to live our lives by following his example. To love life and to help one another as he would. Craig, on behalf of everyone in our family, thank you for being our inspiration. We will always love you.
GOV. JON CORZINE (D), NEW JERSEY: No matter what country we come from, or what language we speak, everyone remembers the same day, shares the same feelings, sheds the same tears and goes on living in the same world.
On the September morning, we should keep in our hearts and the words of the Polish poet, Adam Zagajewski, who wrote: "try to praise the mutilated world. Remember June's long days, and wild strawberries and, drops of lime, the dew. Remember the moments when we were together in a white room and the curtain flutter. Return in thought to the concert where music blare."
"You gathered acorns in the park in the autumn and leaves eddied over the earth's stars. Praise the mutilated world and the great feather at thrush lost and the general life that strays and vanishes and returns."
COLLINS: And now as the names of the victims continue to be read at the World Trade Center, we've just heard from New Jersey governor there, Jon Corzine, (INAUDIBLE) bring with that reading.
Before him, another family member, and before him, New York's Governor -- fairly new governor, David Paterson. Obviously, that moment of silence just a few moments ago, at 9:03, was in remembrance of when the south tower was crashed into that flight.
I'm sure you remember United Airlines Flight 175 coming in from Boston to L.A. was the original destination there.
There will be several moments of silence this morning. In fact, President Bush began his remembrance on 9/11 from the South Lawn of the White House. Three bells marked the moment of silence there.
(MOMENT OF SILENCE)
COLLINS: The moment of silence marking the time the first plane hit World Trade Center's north tower.
The president and first lady will be at the Pentagon later this hour for the ceremonies there. Very special ceremonies there.
We, of course, are going to bring that to you live.
In fact, we're going to take a live picture, if we could, of the Pentagon now, because today is the day that beautiful memorial is unveiled. And you can see just portions of it there.
Our Pentagon correspondents -- both of them -- Jamie McIntyre and Barbara Starr are standing by. They were actually inside the building when the plane first hit.
Jamie and Barbara, if you can hear me, tell me a little bit about what you are seeing around you now. This is such a very special day for those who work at the Pentagon and, of course, for the family members of the victims.
JAMIE MCINTYRE, CNN SENIOR PENTAGON CORRESPONDENT: Well, Heidi, right behind where we're sitting is the new memorial with the -- with its unique design of 184 benches, each with its own reflecting cool, each with its own paper bark maple tree planted next to it that will eventually provide a shady grove and a very -- a place of a quiet contemplation for people who want to honor that memory seven years ago.
Of course the thing I remember about being in the building that day is sitting in the office of a senior military official talking about what -- was happening when the first plane hit the building, when Barbara walked in to suggest that perhaps this was an act of terror.
BARBARA STARR, CNN PENTAGON CORRESPONDENT: You know, that is sort of where Jamie and I hooked up that morning. And once we all realized it was, I started back down the hallway.
We knew New York was very, very bad. I started back down the hallway. And then suddenly, there was a Pentagon police officer in the hallway running towards everyone, yelling, get out, get out, get out. We've been hit. Get out now.
And that's when we all realized this building had been attacked, too. The site behind us seven years ago was a place of utter horror. Flames, destruction, the dead and the wounded being tended to.
But today, it really is a place of the Pentagon family, if you will. The people who were in the building, the people who perished, the people who are on the plane, all of their family member, thousands of people now here coming to reflect and remember.
And we will hear from the president shortly, Heidi.
MCINTYRE: And one of the people, by the way, Heidi, that we'll hear from is Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld who was out here that day seen carrying one of the stretchers out of building.
And, Barbara, we really haven't heard from him...
COLLINS: Yes.
MCINTYRE: ... much since he left office.
STARR: No, we haven't. Mr. Rumsfeld has been very quiet. But this memorial and what happened here on that day, regardless of the intervening years, is very close to Don Rumsfeld's heart.
Many people do not know Don and Joyce Rumsfeld are the single largest private sources, private donators to the construction of this memorial. They prefer not to say how much money. But I can tell you, it is in the hundreds of thousands of dollars of their own money that they have donated.
I think when we hear from Mr. Rumsfeld later this morning, you will very likely hear the very deep emotion in his voice. This is a day that is very, very personal to him.
COLLINS: And I wonder, also, as I talk with you there, because I know you have had contact with some of the family members. When this memorial is unveiled and they are there and they are able to see the permanence of it, does this mean something special to them?
Is it a place that they will visit often? I imagine this being the first day, it can also be a very difficult time, too.
MCINTYRE: Yes, well, you know, this -- that is the whole way this memorial was designed. There's a place where you could actually come. A bench for each victim. A place of quiet reflection.
And, Barbara, you did talk to some of the family members with the story you did about the memorial?
STARR: I did, Heidi, but as we're hearing taps being played, maybe we'll just pause for a moment. It's a very compelling moment here at the Pentagon as we all remember.
COLLINS: Yes, let's listen.
(TAPS BEING PLAYED)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Ladies and gentlemen, please be seated.
(MUSIC PLAYING)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Entering the stage is chief of chaplains, United States Army Major General Douglas Carver. Rear Admiral Barry Black, United States Navy, retired, and chaplain of United States Senate.
COLLINS: (INAUDIBLE) ... remember September 11th as those remembrances continue there at the Pentagon.
You can see the absolutely stunning memorial that is being unveiled today. And what you're looking at right now is a bench for each one of the 184 victims. Those draped, the blue drapes, will be removed as the names are read one by one on this day.
We, of course, will keep our eye on those ceremonies for you at the Pentagon, as well as the World Trade Center and Shanksville, Pennsylvania.
For now, a quick break and we're back right here on CNN.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
COLLINS: On this, the seventh anniversary of September 11th, we are looking at three different live events happening at this time.
The Pentagon getting ready to unveil its memorial to the 184 victims who died there. In New York, in the process of reading the names of the 2,751 victims at that site. And then we are now we are now getting ready -- in just a few seconds here -- the New York Stock Exchange will also remember this day with a moment of silence coming up very shortly.
We, of course, will also be remembering Flight 93 that crashed in Shanksville, Pennsylvania on this day. An awful lot to get to. A lot of things to remember. And certainly, every one of those victims who will be remembered for many, many years to come as the largest attack on the United States.
Let's go ahead and listen in now for the moment of silence at the New York Stock Exchange.
(MOMENT OF SILENCE)
COLLINS: That completes the moment of silence brought to you today at the New York Stock Exchange, one minute there where they remembered the victims in this country, specifically, in New York before the ringing of the opening bell.
We are now getting a look at the president of the United States who will be speaking a little bit later on today back at the Pentagon.
Once again, we are getting a very good look at this beautiful memorial that has been completed at the Pentagon in remembrance of the 184 victims there.
We are now getting ready to listen in to the national anthem. So let's listen as they put the flag up there at the Pentagon this morning.
(STAR-SPANGLED BANNER)
COLLINS: The national anthem, once again, being played at the Pentagon. The flag, of course, at half staff. And we have, standing at the podium, several dignitaries, including the president, Secretary of Defense Robert Gates, and former Secretary of State, Donald Rumsfeld who will be speaking later on.
So we will stay on top of those remembrances there.
Want to go back to New York and the World Trade Center site now. Ground Zero, once again, and listen a little bit more to the names of the victims -- 2,751 names will be read today.
(JOINED IN PROGRESS)
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Patricia Florence Dichiaro (ph).
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Debra N. Di Martino (ph).
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Michael Lewis DiAgostino (ph).
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Matthew Diaz (ph).
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Nancy Diaz (ph). UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Michael A. Diaz-Piedra III (ph).
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Judith Berquis Diaz-Sierra (ph).
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Joseph Dermus Dickey Jr. (ph).
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Lawrence Patrick Dickinson (ph).
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Michael D. Diehl (ph).
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: John DiFato (ph).
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Vincent DiFazio (ph).
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Carl Anthony DiFranco (ph)..
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Donald DiFranco (ph).
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: David DiMeglio (ph).
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Stephen P. Dimino (ph).
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: William John Dimmling (ph).
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Marisa Di Nardo Schorpp (ph).
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Christopher M. Dincuff (ph).
COLLINS: On the seventh anniversary of the September 11th terrorist attacks, we are looking at pictures now live as the names are read of the victims of the World Trade Center sites, Ground Zero there where, of course, family members, friends, loved ones have all gathered on this impossibly difficult day. It's the same feeling every year it seems.
We want to also take a moment to get to Shanksville, Pennsylvania, the crash Flight 93. United Airlines Flight 93 where our Dana Bash is standing by.
There will be some ceremonies there, of course, as well, Dana, and a temporary memorial.
DANA BASH, CNN CONGRESSIONAL CORRESPONDENT: That's right. And the ceremony that John McCain is actually going to attend this morning, Heidi.
He is going to be with some of the family members of those who died on Flight 93. Of course, everybody remembers the tragedy, and of course, the heroism from Flight 93. The plane that crashed in Shanksville that we think was heading either for the Pentagon or the White House.
And what Senator McCain is going to do is he will be one of those who will lay a wreath to commemorate and memorialize what happened there. And also, will make brief remarks. And, Heidi, after that, he's going to go to New York, to Ground Zero, which we were just watching there. And he's going to have a joint appearance with his Democratic rival Barack Obama. That is going to be something that will commemorate the kind of day that both campaigns are deciding this is going to be. That is a day without politics.
They've pulled their political ads from television, from radio, and they've decided that this is going to be a day where they're going to remember what happened seven years ago -- Heidi.
COLLINS: Yes. And, obviously, there was quite a bit of discussion about that as to whether or not they should be inserting themselves into a day of remembrance like this and how so. So, interesting that will take place way after any of these live events and ceremonies are going on?
BASH: Well, they're going to be a part -- at least in Shanksville. Senator McCain is going to be a part of the official ceremony there. He is going to be listening to some of the family members make their remarks. He's going to be not the only public official there.
In fact, the governor of the state, Ed Rendell is also going to be making remarks among others. So, he's going to be a part of the official ceremony there. And one thing I should mention is this evening, both candidates are going to have a forum. They're going to appear side by side at a forum in New York City and the topic is going to be service. So, we're going to hear from the candidates on the topic of service, but not official politicking if you will.
COLLINS: All right. Very good. Dana Bash for us live in Shanksville.
Dana, thank you for that.
We want to take a moment to get back to the Pentagon right now. There was another moment of silence just a little while ago. We want to give you another look at this fantastic memorial now that has been constructed here in remembrance of the victims.
It is really a spectacular sight. And we're also looking at the current Secretary of Defense Robert Gates on your right, and to the left, with his arm in a sling, the former Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld, who will be speaking later on.
And as we heard from our Pentagon correspondents Barbara Starr and Jamie McIntyre just moments ago, this will be the first time that we've had an opportunity to hear him speak in a very long time publicly. So, we will be watching for that, as well as many other poignant moments on this day. September 11th remembered here on CNN.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
COLLINS: Welcome back to CNN on this anniversary, seventh anniversary of September 11th. We are watching several different live events. One, at each one of the crash sites, if you will. New York there on your left. Of course, at Ground Zero. The Pentagon, where you can see portions of that beautiful permanent memorial that is being unveiled today. And also, Shanksville, Pennsylvania, United Flight 93 crashing into the ground there. Those ceremonies just about to get under way in a few minutes there.
I want to get back to our Pentagon correspondents, Jamie McIntyre and Barbara Starr who are standing by directly outside of the Pentagon now. And in front of that memorial which was really been an incredible work of art. A very emotional one as, of course, you would imagine.
Barbara, maybe you can tell us a little bit more about these blue drapes that we are looking at on each one of the benches.
STARR: Well, these are all going to be unveiled later today, Heidi. These are the benches commemorating the lives of the 184 people who perished here on that day. And this is very personal to the families. This is a national event here today, but make no mistake, family members are here to mourn and remember those that they lost.
Some of the people here, individual remarkable stories in and of themselves. One that comes to mind. An older man who perished here in the building, retired Master Sergeant Max Beilke. He died here inside the Pentagon. But back 35 years ago, he was a young soldier in Vietnam, and Max Beilke is listed in American history as the last U.S. combat soldier to leave Vietnam. He died here in the Pentagon.
Lieutenant General Timothy Maude, three-star general, the highest ranking general to die at the hands of the enemy since World War II. And then, young junior enlisted, a young Navy sailor, Matthew Flocco. His father moved here and became a construction worker working on rebuilding the Pentagon in that following year after the attack in memory of his son who died. Michelle Heidenberger, an attendant on American Flight 77 that crashed into the building.
I saw her husband here just a few moments ago. The Heidenberger Family is here. And I want to tell you about some of the survivors. In the intervening years, I have been so privileged to become friends with Colonel Marilyn Wills. Marilyn had two teenage daughters that day and a husband. Marilyn with flames at her back and lungs full of smoke jumped out of a second-story window into the arms of a young Navy S.E.A.L. standing below who --
COLLINS: I remember.
STARR: Who said jump, I will catch you. I will not let you fall. Marilyn spent about a week in the hospital and has come back to work here in the Pentagon all these years later.
COLLINS: Well, these stories are truly incredible. There are so many of them. We still continue to hear more details and more stories of what people went through on that day.
And Jamie, Barbara, I know that the both of you have your own stories about being in the Pentagon when this happened. We want to talk with you more about that. And we will come back, in order to do so. I know we have an awful lot on the plate today. I want to make sure we get around to all the different remembrances so bear with me on this.
But, also, I have to follow for everyone else out there who is watching Hurricane Ike, because we have been tracking this for a very long time. And, since, trying to give everyone as much possible warning of this storm coming in. And now, we are talking about changes here. I talked with Rob a little bit earlier.
And before, Rob, we were kind of looking at Brownsville, Texas now. We are looking at a much more densely populated area, and that's Houston, that could be in danger.
ROB MARCIANO, AMS METEOROLOGIST: Yes, the forecast track has shifted a little bit father than north. And the cone -- certainly, which we'll show you, has, you know, it's shrinking, which is good. It gives us a better handle where we think it's going to go.
The question is how strong does this get? It has not gained much strength in the last 12 hours, but it's certainly has gain some size. We have winds that extended from the center of hurricane strength at 115 miles. That's huge. That's bigger than Rita, that's bigger than Katrina, although not as intense. It's a huge storm. It's affecting folks in Florida, all the way to New Orleans right now.
As a matter of fact, they're closing some roadways in southern Mississippi because of a mild surge that's already beginning to happen. So, I think there will be a surge that will be felt across much of the northern Gulf Coast. The good news is, at least right now, with a storm this big, it's sometimes as hard for it to strengthen rapidly. And we don't really have an eye that you can see visibly here. So, we'll have to see how this plays out. Does it shrink a little bit and then intensify? Or does it stay large and still stay at pretty nasty Cat 2 or weak Category 3?
Right now, it's a Cat 2. Winds at 100 miles an hour. We still have half the Gulf to traverse. We still have some warm waters in here that could easily make it to strengthen. There's not a whole lot of sheer to knock it down atmospherically.
Here's the forecast track. We talked about this track going mostly westward and then making that right turn. And then we say, make that right turn a little bit earlier, then we'll have some problems for the Upper Texas Coastline. That's what looks like what's going to happen now.
So, Category 3 potentially, maybe higher. Tomorrow night, you will feel the winds along the upper Texas coastline. By nightfall, you will feel hurricane-force winds at some spots. And then striking right up through parts of Houston potentially early Saturday morning. And if it does that, it will still be, you know, potentially a Cat 2 or at least a Cat 1 through downtown Houston. That would be nasty stuff, not to mention all the oil refineries in this area.
Hurricane watch is up for all -- the entire Texas coastline, parts of Louisiana. And tropical storm warnings from Mississippi/Alabama border for winds, rain and the whole nine yards there. It's just such a big storm, Heidi. That's the most striking thing about what Ike is doing right now. We'll watch it carefully obviously. Preparations and evacuations already underway for parts of Texas.
COLLINS: Yes, we've been reporting on that for a couple days as well. All right. Thanks so much, Rob. We know that you're watching it closely. And glad you're there to do that.
Right now, we want to take you back to some of the remembrances that are taking place, of course, today. We are looking at Senator John McCain who as our Dana Bash reported will be taking part in the ceremonies at Shanksville, Pennsylvania.
And I'm sure you remember Flight 93 that went down there, 40 victims in that crash. And all of the heroism that we heard takes place on board. The cell phone calls and everything else that happened there. We will get back to that as soon as it takes place.
For now, though, we want to go back to the Pentagon. You can see, once again, these fantastic benches, beautifully draped in blue right now. And as the names of the victims at the Pentagon are read, those blue drapes will come off. And on each one of the benches is the names of the victims. Again, that flag at half-staff. We're watching all of it today here on CNN.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
COLLINS: Let's directly get to the Pentagon now where former Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld has taken the podium.
(JOINED IN PROGRESS)
DONALD RUSMFELD, FORMER SECRETARY OF DEFENSE: ... And the men and women of the Department of Defense, all of them -- military, civilian, what a high honor it is to be with you here again. We went through a great deal since September 11th. And I will always treasure our time together. Thank you for all you do for our countries.
(APPLAUSE)
This morning, we gather to dedicate this ground where a great building became a battlefield. Where stone became dust. Steel became shrapnel. Where flames, smoke and destruction stole the lives of 184 men, women and children. This memorial tells the story over their last terrible moments on this earth. Moments when families were destroyed. When a symbol of America's strength was scarred and what our country became in the words of an American poet, acquainted with the night.
Today, we renew our vows to never forget how this long struggle began. And to never forget those who fell first. Remembered and honored our fellow workers, friends, family members. They were men and women at their desk in the Pentagon who one morning kissed their loved ones goodbye, went off to work and never came home.
And they were the passengers and crew aboard Flight 77, to in the last moments, made phone calls to loved ones and prayed to the Almighty. Before their journey ended such a short distance from where it began. Each with different backgrounds and different dreams, it was here that their fates were truly merged forever.
In the flag that flies here above this memorial, we will be reminded of what they had in common. They fell side by side as Americans. And make no mistake, it was because they were Americans that they were killed here in this place.
Those of us who were in the Pentagon on September 11th, we share and we will always share a very special bond with each other and with each member of the family. We will never forget the way this huge building shook. We will not forget our colleagues and friends who were taken from us and from their families. And we will not forget what that deadly attack has meant for our nation.
In the sinister logic of its perpetrators, and in the suffering of its victims, September 11th was among the darkest days for Americans. But it was also a day that America can be said to have rediscovered its special grace. The American people's capacity for courage, for goodwill and for sacrifice.
Here beneath the sloping fields of Arlington National Cemetery, fields that hold our nation's fallen, this building stands as a silent monument to the resolve of a free people.
COLLINS: Former Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld talking to these family members and loved members who have gathered at the Pentagon.
(JOINED IN PROGRESS)
RUMSFELD: As an internal remind of men and women of valor who saw flame and smoke, stepped forward to save and protect the lives of their fellow Americans on September 11th.
Let it also remind each of us of those who have volunteered to serve in our nation's Armed Forces before and every day since. Our nation's military has stood strong in this new age of peril, determined that what happened here seven years ago must not happen again. We have been acquainted with the night. We have taken its measure. In the darkest of times we stood together. In defiance, our nation has pressed on towards morning, with resolved, renewed, and with a certain strength of the American people, our nation will force the dawn.
My constant prayer is that God will bless the families of those we remember this day, and that the good Lord will bless all of those who have lost loved ones in the long struggle that follows.
We, each of us are deeply in their debt. And each of us will be so for the rest of our lives. Thank you.
(APPLAUSE)
COLLINS: Former Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld making a very emotional speech, if you will, comments to the family members and loved ones of the Pentagon victims.
This is actually, as we have learned earlier today from our Pentagon correspondence, Jamie McIntyre and Barbara Starr who are standing by at the site of the memorial. It's been a very long time since we have seen Donald Rumsfeld. This, I believe, one of the first, if not the first, public appearance.
Barbara, I know that you had some things to say on this. The Tillman hearings I believe are the last time that we heard from Donald Rumsfeld.
STARR: We really haven't, Heidi. He made one appearance on Capitol Hill to testify in a matter. He is, of course, seen around Washington, D.C. He's a very active man. But in terms of formal appearances as the former secretary, I'm going to defer to Jamie. I think this really is the first time we've substantively heard from him.
MCINTYRE: Seen him at a few public events, but not speaking. And, you know, we should note that it appears -- again, his right arm is in a sling. I think he had some problems with that back in 2002. He had some surgery then. Maybe that's a recurrence of that. We're not really sure.
Rumsfeld now is 76 years old by my count. I think he was 74 when he left office. He still obviously looks strong and healthy. And, of course, the most notable memory of Rumsfeld on that day were the pictures that were captured of him as he actually ran -- rushed to the scene of the crash against the advice of some of his advisers, by the way, and helped carry out one of the stretchers before going back into the Pentagon and beginning right at that very point to start planning the Pentagon's response to this attack.
Rumsfeld has kept a very low profile. He's reportedly going to write some memoirs. But he has declined all of our requests to do interviews since he left office, Heidi.
STARR: But, you know, Heidi, the family members will tell you that he is the biggest champion of this memorial and has been since the very beginning. He and his wife, Joyce, have privately given hundreds of thousands of dollars of their own funds to build this.
The families feel very close to Mr. Rumsfeld. I think that's part of the reason you saw that standing ovation when he came in. Military people will tell you, his role that day, as we have talked about in keeping this building open and refusing to leave, in making sure that this headquarters was bloody but not bowed. He would not go, was a very important message that has really resonated through the years, something that the Pentagon family, if you will, the people who work here, feel very strongly about.
MCINTYRE: And, you know, Rumsfeld was always seen as a very tough boss. He rubbed a lot of people the wrong way. But in these one-on-one connections with members of the military and their families, he has enormous personal charm, and he has a real connection to them. And I think you saw some of that in the response that he got from the families, the audience, members here today.
COLLINS: Yes. I think there's no question about that, guys. I just want to let people know what they are looking at now as we've been watching members of the Armed Services file in one by one and take their place behind, each one of the benches for each of the victims. Again, the 184 victims at the Pentagon. Those blue drapes will be coming off shortly, just as soon as the names of the victims are read at the Pentagon. We will see the entirety of each one of those benches. Such a beautiful sight. So, of course, we will go back to that.
Jamie and Barbara, thank you. And we'll check in with you a little bit later on.
At this time, we want to go back to Ground Zero now, and the World Trade Center site where of course their remembrance is being handled there. And now all of the names of the 2,751 victims are continuing to be read. We will stay with this for a short while and take a quick break here. This emotional day at CNN.
(JOINED IN PROGRESS)
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Katsuyuki Hirai (ph).
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Heather Malia Ho (ph).
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Tara Yvette Hobbs (ph).
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Thomas Anderson (ph) --
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
COLLINS: On this seventh anniversary of September 11th, we are now looking at two of the sites of the terrible crashes that took place on that day. New York, World Trade Center, you see Ground Zero where we have the list of victims being read. That list also scrolling across the bottom of your screen. In fact, the list of all of the victims on this terrible day, seven years ago.
On the right of your screen, the Pentagon, as I mentioned earlier. We are getting ready for the unveiling of this incredible memorial that is just now being seen for the first time seven years later, for the 184 victims there. Each one of the Armed Services members are standing behind those benches. We will see more of that in a moment.
But now, I want to take you back to New York where we are waiting for a moment of silence. That moment of silence observing the time that the south tower fell.
Let's go ahead and listen in for that in just a moment here.
(JOINED IN PROGRESS)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Anthony P. Infante, Jr. (ph).
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Louis S. Inghilterra, Jr. (ph).
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Christopher Noble Ingrassia (ph).
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Paul Innella (ph).
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Stephanie Veronica Irby (ph).
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Douglas Jason Irgang (ph).
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Kristin A. Irvine Ryan (ph).
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: And my brother, firefighter, Thomas J. Foley (ph). Tommy boy, you will live in our hearts forever.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: And I'm here today representing the people of Hong Kong.
(BELL RINGING)
