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CNN Live Event/Special

President Bush Begins Day of Remembrance

Aired September 11, 2002 - 07:55   ET

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

AARON BROWN, CNN ANCHOR: In this morning's "The New York Times," the president has written a piece about the year and the challenges that face the country.
And one of our White House correspondents, who has been working the president's beat for now a while, Kelly Wallace joins us from the White House.

Kelly -- good morning to you.

KELLY WALLACE, CNN WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT: Good morning to you, Aaron.

Well, President Bush said yesterday that today was going to be a hard day for many Americans. He said it would be a day of prayer, a day of tears and a day of national resolve.

And just as you said, he is really beginning a day-long tribute to the more than 3,000 people killed last year. He and the first lady left the White House shortly before 8:00 a.m., making just a block- long drive across the White House to St. John's Episcopal Church. That is where they are now, attending a service of prayer and remembrance, again, starting the day remembering all of those people killed last year.

The first couple will then come back here to the White House for a moment of silence at 8:46 a.m. Eastern, the exact moment when the first hijacked plane crashed into the North Tower of the World Trade Center. Then, as you said, Aaron, he heads to the Pentagon, to Pennsylvania, to New York City.

He gave us a bit of a preview of what he is likely to say to the nation tonight when he speaks from New York's Ellis Island. He said he's going to talk about what was lost last year, what the country has discovered about itself over the past year, and what lies ahead.

In that opinion piece, the president writes -- quote: "The terrible illumination of these events has also brought new clarity to America's role in the world. In great tragedy, we have also seen great opportunities. We must have the wisdom and courage to seize these opportunities."

He goes on to say: "America's greatest opportunity is to create a balance of world power that favors human freedom."

The president talking about the importance of the United States working with its allies to seek peace around the world. Obviously, a reassuring message to some skeptical U.S. allies, who worry the president could go it alone when it comes to dealing with Iraq.

No message of Iraq today, Aaron. The message will be remembering the victims and rallying the nation for the war on terror.

Aaron -- back to you.

BROWN: Kelly, thank you.

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