Tears flow at memorial for twin towers victims

Tears flowed and smoke billowed in the shadow of the collapsed World Trade Centre tonight as thousands of people gathered to remember those they lost in the terror attacks on September 11.

More than 5,000 people from the families of those who died gathered in front of the shattered remains of the twin towers for a service of remembrance.

As they sat in prayer, they were faced with clouds of smoke rising from the site, where fires still burn almost seven weeks after the terror attacks.

Many held pictures of their lost relatives, while others cradled children who have lost parents.

Hundreds of firefighters stood in memory of their fallen comrades, who were killed as they rushed to save lives.

Mourners wore masks to protect themselves from the choking smoke which lingers over the site, where the only work still going on during the memorial service was hosing down the debris.

Under crisp autumnal sunshine, religious leaders from New York prayed for healing and unity in the face of the disaster, which killed almost 5,000.

Among the congregation sitting on a street which was once the main artery serving the World Trade Centre, where up to 50,000 people worked at any one time, were 50 Britons, relatives of the British dead, and Culture Secretary Tessa Jowell, representing the Government.

Cardinal Edward Egan, the leader of New York’s Catholics, said the service was for all those who died, and all those who mourned them.

‘‘We have lost parents, brothers and sisters, sons and daughters, husbands and wives, beloved relatives and friends,’’ said the Cardinal.

‘‘They were innocent and they were brutally, viciously and unjustly taken from us.

‘‘They were strong and dedicated citizens of our country and our nation and other nations as well.

‘‘They were good and wholesome sons and daughters of God whose lives and futures were snuffed out by villains filled with violence and hate.’’

The congregation sat under a banner reading ‘‘We will never forget’’, which was draped from one of the damaged buildings still standing on the site.

People shivered in the crisp autumn air as religious leaders and musical performers took to the hastily-constructed stage.

Rabbi Joseph Potasnick, Jewish chaplain to the New York Fire Department, said: ‘‘We come here today to hold those who hurt so much, to help those who need so much and to hold those who carry so much.’’

There were prayers for American leaders and soldiers in the war against the terrorists who destroyed the twin towers.

Imam Izak El Pasha, the New York Police Department’s Islamic chaplain, said: ‘‘War is not something that any human beings want but in defence of ourselves, we must fight.

‘‘Let us not deviate from establishing peace. In the search for justice, let us not hate.’’

The Rev Franklin Graham, son of evangelist the Rev Billy Graham, said: ‘‘We remember those day the sacrifice that has been made by the New York Fire Department and Police Department and all the emergency workers.

‘‘We will not forget the personal sacrifice that they have made in the line of duty for their city, for their nation and their fellow man.’’

Musicians at the service included Shonagh Daly, a 21-year-old Irish singer discovered by composer Lord Lloyd-Webber, who accompanied her as she sang Let Us Love Peace, from the musical The Beautiful Game.

Miss Daly said: ‘‘I feel it is important that each of us, in our own way, do all we can to support the families and loved ones who are still coming to terms with their enormous loss.’’

As the ceremony ended, families were offered an urn containing earth from the site and an American flag.

The urns were made after it became clear that no remains of many of the more than 4,100 people still missing would ever be found.

Estelle Persha, whose husband Frank worked for the insurance firm Aon in the south tower, the second to be hit, said she had had to go to the service.

She choked back tears as she said: ‘‘I thought I was going to pass out. There were so many people who have lost so many people. It is very, very hard for me.

‘‘I had to be close. I had to breathe that air in. I know he is still there.’’

Her daughter Stacey said: ‘‘I have been all over the city since it happened but I could never bring myself to come down here before.

‘‘They have not recovered anything of my father yet, and just to look at the destruction and know that he is still there is very difficult.’’

But she added: ‘‘Just to be around people going through the same thing as you are gives you some comfort.’’