>> what we find is that what lies within the dust is not just tragedy, not just illness, but also opportunities to figure out what went wrong, how to avoid making those same mistakes, and how to protect all of us the next time tragedy strikes. i'm dr. sanjay gupta. i'm dr. sanjay gupta. thanks for watching. -- captions by vitac -- www.vitac.com

good morning, from new york city. welcome to a special edition of your cnn sunday morning on this september 11th, 2011, the tenth anniversary of the 9/11 attacks. hello to you all. i'm t.j. holmes this morning coming to you from a spot overlooking ground zero. we'll have a lot more for you from here and this morning soledad o'brien will be joining me throughout the morning. she's at riverside park on the upper west side of manhattan. that is where firefighters are gathering to pay tribute to their fellow firefighters who died in the attacks. we check in with her in just a bit. also, as always, on this sunday morning we'd like to say a special good morning to our service men and women watching us right now on the american forces network. thank you for being here, thank you for what you do and certainly on this day, a day that really changed the course of many of your lives. today we are going to remember the victims of 9/11. of course, in new york, washington and pennsylvania. i am here at what is just a

gorgeous memorial, overlooking ground zero here in manhattan. this is where the families of the victims will gather here in just a bit. the picture you're seeing of is world trade center one, the tallest building in lower manhattan. the work there is not done. people will tell you the work for this country is not done. the people in the towers, the people on the planes, the first responders, all came to this point. aids mazing to think that 2,753 people died right here. we're going to be looking ahead this morning to some important times, times to stop and remember, 8:46 will be the first one. 8:46 a.m. eastern time, the moment american airlines flight 11 hit the north tower. that's when we'll have the first moment of silence this morning. then we'll hear bells ring out across the city. meanwhile, president obama he'll be leaving the white house just a few minutes from now. is he on his way here.

then the next moment of silence this morning will be at 9:03. that will mark the moment the second plane hit the south tower and throughout the morning you'll follow with other moments of silence. now, that second plane, that is when the country knew it wasn't just an accident, that the country was under attack. we'll be talking about new york, washington, pennsylvania, as we remember the victims lost in those attacks. we will bring it all to you live here throughout the morning. now, to give you an idea of who we have with us, our correspondents are in place all over the place this morning. taking a look at some of the after-effects of those attacks and the impact had had on the country. susan candiotti is with me here at ground zero. athena jones is standing by at the mall in washington. also, in just a moment we'll check in with suzanne malveaux, she's in afghanistan for us this morning. spending the day with troops whose lives were changed because of what happened on this day ten years ago. they're having their own

ceremony to remember 9/11. they'll be talking about their commitment to this country's security. let me begin here at ground zero, site of the attacks on the twin towers. it is an impressive and gorgeous memorial, footprints they call it, the foot prints of where the towers once stood, huge memorial pools. susan candiotti joins me now. good morning to you. help us set the scene for what we are seeing this morning and what we will see throughout the day. >> good morning to you, t.j. because of the ongoing terror threat there's still very tight security around the city through various checkpoints and the like. security is extra tight directly around here, around the memorial, around ground zero. as people are gathering outside around road blocks and the like to make their way here for the ceremony which will begin, as you indicated, about 8:30 in the morning eastern time with iconic bagpipes and drummers, followed by a moment of silence, introduced by the mayor and then

as you indicated at 8:46, to mark the time when the first plane hit the north tower, there will be another moment of silence followed by a reading by president obama. at 9:03, another moment of silence when the second plane hit the south tower, followed by a former president george bush. and then after that, families eventually will begin reading the names of everyone who was killed here, family members, survivors, everyone will be taking place -- taking part in this ceremony. and then finally, the backdrop for all of this, of course, is the ongoing security threat. investigators tell me this morning there is no change in the status. they are still working very hard to try to confirm whether that plot exists. t.j.? >> all right. susan candiotti, thank you. we'll check in with you again shortly. and so many of you, so many of us familiar with the story of the firefighters, 343 firefighters died in the attacks at the world trade center.

other soledad o'brien is at riverside park for that special ceremony. soledad, good morning to you. the ceremony also comes with a bit of controversy this morning with the firefighters. explain it all for us. >> it really does, t.j. we're about eight miles north of ground zero. and that matters because, of course, the firefighters were not invited to the events at ground zero. for some people that has made them angry, others disappointed or frustrated. this is a firefighters memorial. every year since 9/11 they brought a memorial service here. very quiet, no politicians, no speeches. they're expecting this year for the tenth anniversary that many people, hundreds, maybe thousands will gather here at 100th street and riverside drive, this beautiful memorial. it's one of the nicest in the city, a memorial that was built in the 1900s for firefighters, showing sacrifice and duty. they've always tried to keep it

very low key, don't even like the media here. this year because they're not being invited to the ground zero ceremonies they're expecting it will actually be quite busy here. they want to focus on three things they say. number one, they want to remember the 34 firefighters who lost their lives, running into those buildings, the towers as the flames were coming out and eventually as they fell. they also want to make sure that people understand how challenging the health issues have been for manufacture these firefighters. there are lots of terrible statistics, really, about the health of the firefighters. many people told us the number of funerals they continue to go to where people are dying of cancer. we'll talk about that later this morning and lastly, they want to remember the widows of those firefighters. they want to make sure people understand there are people who left their families behind. they'll begin the official event of ground zero here, eight miles north when the fire commissioner comes to lay a wreath right here and he'll head downtown and we're expecting to see many first responders right here this

morning because they cannot attend the events of ground zero where you are today. t.j.? >> all right. soledad o'brien. good to have you with us this morning. we'll check in with you plenty throughout the morning. we want to turn now to washington, d.c. ceremonies there, of course, to honor the victims at the pentagon. athena jones is there. people are stopping to remember today but also they're being asked to do it and also be extra vigilant and they're seeing extra security. good morning. >> good morning. you know, after the president and first lady traveled to new york and then to shanksville, pennsylvania, for ceremonies there, they're coming back to washington. they'll be heading over to the pentagon for a wreath layingp this that's this afternoon around 3:30. all across washington, d.c. for the last several days, law enforcement and security personnel have been on high alert. there are more police on the street. d.c. metro police are working 12-hour overlapping shifts. all police departments have more officers out and about, whether

it's capital police, the park police or the transit police. all out there keeping alert and on patrol. i had a chance to speak with an fbi agent who was the first fbi commander on the scene at the pentagon ten years ago. christopher combs told me what this day means for him and for the fbi. let's take a listen. >> even before 9/11, we had a very aggressive counterterrorism posture here in washington. but obviously after 9/11 we tripled, quadrupled our efforts here and for us, that were on the joint terrorism task force that day, 9/11 is the reason we work so hard. and why for these special events, we're out in force. >> and so as agent combs told me, every day for the fbi is 9/11. so they're always ready. but of course even more so today, t.j. >> all right. athena jones in d.c. for us. thank you. i mentioned a moment ago that president obama will be leaving

washington, d.c. shortly, heading here to be a part of the ceremony at ground zero. after new york, the president will head to shanksville, pennsylvania, to honor the victims of united flight 93. there will be a moment of silence there, 10:03 eastern time. that is when the plane crashed there. the new memorial in shanksville, though, was dedicated yesterday. [ bells toll ] >> the bells tolled for all 40 victims who brought down the plane before it could reach its intended target. here's a look at the memorial wall there. just the first part of the permanent memorial has been completed. former president bill clinton and george w. bush were there to help honor the heroes. >> for generations, people will study the flight, the story of flight 93. they will learn that individual choices make a difference, that

love and sacrifice can triumph over evil and hate. and that what happened above this pennsylvania field ranks among the most courageous acts in american history. >> take a moment now, draw your attention to the ticker we're going to have at the bottom of your tv screen. throughout the morning we'll be showing the names of the victims from all of the 9/11 attacks. also this morning, the war on terror in the aftermath of the 9/11 attacks took tens of thousands of american troops to afghanistan. they are also remembering the victims of the attacks and the fallen soldiers who fought for the security of this country. our suzanne malveaux is in kabul, afghanistan where she has been visiting for the past several days. suzanne, good morning to you and what are the troops going to be doing to mark this anniversary today? >> good morning, t.j. it's been kind of a quiet sunday

here, sunny, quiet, very reflective. people here have been rehearsing. you can see behind me they're rehearsing, the soldiers take this day very seriously. they'll also be taking this ceremony seriously. there are about 35 flags that are raised here, represents all the countries that are part of this international coalition, who are here in afghanistan. also we're beginning to be seeing, it's going to start at 5:00, that is local time in the evening. it's 8 1/2 hours later, ahead of eastern time. and then 5:16 is when they'll recognize a moment of silence, that is when the first plane hit the world trade center. they'll have a couple soldiers talking about their own experiences, what it was like to be inside of the pentagon on that day during at tacks. there's going to be a bagpipe playing of "amazing grace." there will be moments of silence and this is going to be something, a time that's reflected for a lost soldiers. i had a chance to talk with them, t.j. it's interesting. some of them, the memories, very

raw, emotional. they think about that all the time. others, they say that's why they're here today. you have to remember, it was the 9/11 attacks that brought the men and women to afghanistan. this is a special and personal day for manufacture them, t.j. >> suzanne, can you also give us details about this taliban attack that took place in eastern afghanistan? >> you know, there was a lot of anticipation, anxiety, if you will, whether or not there would be some sort after tack commemorating this anniversary. it was on the eve of 9/11, last night about 5:30 in the evening, local time, afghan time, that there was an explosion outside of a compound, a military compound. we are told there are two afghan civilians who were killed. this was a car bomb, if you will. a lot of injuries, t.j. we're talking about at least 77 from the international coalition, 25 afghan civilians also injured as well. we're told there are relatively

minor injuries but this was a rather significant development. we got a chance to talk to general john allen, head of the u.s. and nato command here in afghanistan and he explained what he thought the threat was. >> this attack was a high-profile attack. it was a pretty significant suicide vehicle bomb. but they have been ejected from the population in so many places around the country, that their only ability to influence the battlefield in many cases -- on many occasions, is simply high-profile attack. >> and t.j., general allen also said he thought that this was an act of desperation, that many of the afghan people against the taliban do not support this type of thing, that this is something they was dramatic and significant but nevertheless, it underscores the dangers still that these men and women face in afghanistan, the challenges they have ahead. a lot of people i talked to simply said they are trying as hard as possible, as quickly as possible to train the afghans so

they can get up to seed, they can protect themselves and their country when u.s. as well as nato troops, combat troops, are expected to go home by the end of 2014, t.j. >> suzanne malveaux for us in kabul. we'll check in with you again. thanks so much. stay with us on this special edition of cnn sunday morning. again, we'll take you all around the country this morning for the memorials as the country pauses on this tenth anniversary of 9/11. coming up next, soledad o'brien at the fireman's memorial at riverside park. stay with us. ♪ [ dr. ling ] i need to get the results from the m.r.i. see if the blood work is ready. review ms. cooper's history. and i want to see katie before she goes home. [ male announcer ] with integrated healthcare solutions from dell,

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1 minutes past the hour. good morning and welcome back to this special edition of cnn sunday morning. coming to you on this tenth anniversary of 9/11 from ground zero. want to say good morning to soledad o'brien who is standing by for a special ceremony today. the firefighters memorial. soledad, it is still remarkable to hear, we see you have a guest there. always remarkable to think of the stories of those firefighters running in to save other lives and the 343 of them that were killed on this day, ten years ago. >> that is the focus of the memorial today and has been, t.j., the focus of the memorial for the last ten years.

lieutenant ken durante is one of the event organizers. you've been doing this memorial here eight miles north of ground zero, which some people might find very surprising. why here? >> this is the site of the fdny, the official memorial, which is directly behind us. it was dedicated in 1913 to honor the memory of all new york city firefighters had given their lives in the line of duty. >> after 9/11, though ten years ago -- >> i realize it was built in 1913. but after 9/11 there were five firefighters who realized there was not going to be a particular service or memorial that focused on the 343 firefighters who lost their lives and so they created, really what will be part of today. >> that's correct. five firefighters from the fire companies in my firehouse, engine 45 and ladder 48 were sitting around the kitchen table as they approached the first

anniversary of 9/11, realizing that the department was still rebuilding, was still, you know, in a state of great flux. and there was no dedicated ceremony for our 343 members. so they decided to pull their resources, these five firefighters and put together a very nice, very solemn service that you'll see here today. it really hasn't changed much since that first year. >> you've told me there will be no politicians, there will be no speeches. >> nope. nope. it's not a media event. today with all at tension of the ten-year anniversary, you guys are here. and that's fine. you know, we're here to tell our little story and to remember the number one goal, our only goal. it's not about us. this is an event put on by firefighters for firefighters. to remember the 343 members who heroically gave their lives on 9/11. >> you're not allowed to attend

the ground zero ceremony. are you mad about that? >> you know what, i'm not going to really address the political issues and all that. i know what we do here and i've been here every year. either here or working in the firehouse. there are many people who feel they need to go to ground zero. i understand that. you know, for many families, especially our families, that is their loved one's final resting place. i fully understand the anger and the reason that they want to be there. and the members of the companies that want to go there and help support those families and pay their respects. but many families choose to come to this venue, because it's a solemn place to the new york city fire department. and, again, it's a nice service. you'll see the service. we'll read the names of all 343 of our members.

we'll stop at the significant moment, for a moment of silence throughout the morning. and then we'll read the names of all of the members. >> lieutenant ken durante, thank you very much for your time. i know this morning you're very busy. we appreciate you making time for us. >> the boys will start setting up right now. >> we'll move out of the way so we don't hamper their efforts. as you see, a little bit of controversy. but they say it's not a competitive event, it's an alternative. they're expecting a lot of people. they blocked off 15 blocks in each direction. >> unfortunate to hear there's any controversy on this day. still, they remember in their own way. soledad, thank you. we'll talk to you again. to our viewers, a special report from soledad o'brien, talking about the women of 9/11. you can catch that "beyond bravery" a soledad o'brien special report, tonight, 10:00 eastern right here on cnn. now it's 6:21 this morning. coming up next, i'm going to be

talking to a man who as other people were running out of the pentagon, he was running in. and he kept running in and you know what? he didn't leave there for three days. he joins me with his story and his reflection on this tenth anniversary. stay with me on this cnn sunday morning. there's another way to minimize litter box odor: purina tidy cats. tidy cats premium line of litters now works harder to help neutralize odors in multiple-cat homes. and our improved formula also helps eliminate dust. so it's easier than ever to keep your house smelling just the way you want it. purina tidy cats. keep your home smelling like home. just having some tender chicken and some tasty noodles. let's see...south western vegetables...60 calories.

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at 23 minutes past the hour now. we are in a live picture right now, air force one. president obama will be boarding the plane and leaving d.c. and heading to new york to be part of the ceremony which is are scheduled to start here at ground zero at around 8:00 eastern time, 8:30 eastern time as we start those moments of silence, those moments today will be at 8:4, 9:03, 9:37 and then 10:03. those are the four times when those four planes crashed on this day ten years ago. we want to turn to washington, d.c. now and the pentagon. that is where 184 people died when the plane crashed into that building. a lot of stories, a lot of memories, a lost pictures of that day that many will remember. a story i want to tell you now, retired army sergeant first class chris braman. he was there, running in while

many people were running out of the building. he's a former airborne ranger. spent 06 straight hours digging through that smoldering debris. says he was just running on adrenaline. he often times was the one who found the bodies in that rubble. he is now over the years formed a bond with manufacture those family members and he joins me this morning. sir, thank you so much for being here. i know you have shared your story time and time again. have been a part of a number of events over the past ten years. does it ever get too difficult for you or are you always proud and happy to share your story of that day? >> well, you know, first of all it's an honor to be here and speak with you. but you never get tired of telling the truth. you never get tired of telling the story, because you don't want anybody to forget what actually happened on that horrific day. because 9/11 is about all of us collectively, not just one individual. and to get out there and speak

to the american people is a wonderful honor. >> sir, what -- ten years now. ten of these anniversaries. i'm sure you've done events or interviews on each of those anniversaries. on this one what about are your thoughts, your reflections? >> well, one, gratitude, one to be alive and, two, to reflect on today's events with the families and other survivors and those who parished on that day to let the world know god was there on that horrific day and to let them know the world didn't forget. that's the most important thing that each of these family members would hope that the rest of the world would remember, their family member who sacrificed on that horrific day. >> you said the world wouldn't

forget. does it ever get any easier, sir? >> actually, no. you know, i pray before god and talk with people and what happens is, i just, you know, it's never easy to tell a story. i actually go through a series of, i guess, ptsd elements where i relive it every time i tell the story. >> sir, how will you spend today? >> with my wife and family, which is most important. every anniversary i always try to make sure i'm with my wife, no matter where i'm at in the country. it's always with family, because that's the most important thing in life is the grounding with one's core element, which is your family. >> sir, would you say that is one of a number of ways that you

are changed by what you went through on 9/11? you speak of family and the importance of it and i'm sure it got even more important to you after 9/11. but what other ways has your life changed since then? >> well, 9/11, i was mentally, spiritually and physically humbled on that day. it changed me. mentally, spiritually and physically i was humbled and i look at life differently. the little things actually matter. making sure that i tell my life i love her every day. and actually mean it. you know? and to look at my children -- i look at the family differently. >> well, mr. braman, i appreciate you taking the time out with us on this anniversary. you enjoy the day with your wife and your family members on this day. thank you so much.

>> thank you. i appreciate being here. >> all right. as we get a little daylight here at ground zero in new york, stay with us on this special edition of cnn sunday morning. the president expected to leave d.c. in just a moment, heading here to new york to be a part of the ceremony which is started at 8:30 eastern time. you will see it all right here on cnn. stay with us. ♪ my subaru saved my life. i won't ever forget that.

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we're at the bottom of the hour on this cnn sunday morning, a special edition. you're seeing a live picture of marine one, just got to andrews air force base. the president will be heading from washington here to new york city. he's about to board air force one. he's expected to be here at ground zero write am in just about an hour and a half, to arrive here. the ceremony starts in about two hours at 8:30 eastern time. the president, the former president, george w. bush, the governors of new york and new jersey. there you are seeing the president of the united states and the first lady, michelle obama on this 9/11 anniversary. the president will be delivering remarks here at ground zero, again, being a part of the ceremony on this day, ten years after the 9/11 attacks. as we stay with this picture of the president this morning, give you an idea of how the rest of this morning will go, ceremonies will take place here at ground zero. ceremonies happening in

shanksville, pennsylvania, as well as in washington, d.c. the president as committed to being at them all. he will start here in new york but then he will make his way over to shanksville, pennsylvania. shanksville, of course, is where united flight 93, everyone so familiar with that story, of those 40 passengers and crew who made sure that plane didn't make it to its intended target. had it not been for those folks on that plane, who knows what would have happened in washington, d.c. the president will remember them all here at ground zero, of course, so much focus here and for good reason. 2,753 people were killed here at ground zero on september 11th. another 184 killed in washington, d.c. at 9 pentagon. cnn will be bringing you coverage all day long of all of the ceremonies taking place. i'm here, once again at ground zero. i will, again, give you another shot. some pictures as we're starting to get daylight at ground zero in new york. it is just a gorgeous site and a

fitting tribute and memorial to the victims of that day. as you see this picture, those two huge reflecting pools that you are seeing, those are the footprints of the twin towers. it's hard to imagine now that that is where those two towers stood and that is where they fell. those huge reflecting pools have the names of every single person who was killed on this day ten years ago. also has the name of the victims who were killed in the 1993 world trade center bombing. but this is where so many people will gather today, including the president. you might be able to see in the bottom left of your screen. that is where the main ceremony is taking place. people are starting to gather this morning. susan candiotti is here with me to help me set the scene. good morning to you once again. >> good morning, t.j. the preparations that have been going on for so long are finally almost complete as the ceremony is getting closer and closer to beginning here. and as you look around, you can

see and down on the street even, that some of the family members and invited guests are starting to arrive. i've seen families. i've seen them carrying babies and pushing babies in strollers as well. the ceremony will be starting at about 8:30 eastern time here. it will begin by hearing those melodic bagpipes and drummers as they march down to the platform here. at 8:00, there will be a moment of silence marked by the mayor of the city and the bells will toll throughout the city of new york. at 8:46 to mark the time when the first flight, flight 11 hit the north tower. there will be another moment of silence. and then president obama will read something to the crowd here. and then another moment of silence at 9:03 to mark when the second flight, flight 175 hit the south tower. then former president george w. bush will make a reading as well. there will be additional moments of silence to mark the times when the towers fall.

yo-yo ma will pe form on his cello. we'll hear from james taylor and paul simon as well. they will also perform thor those gathered here. also, there will be many touching moments. the families will be entering the plaza for the very first time, getting to look at the memorial here. they will walk under the plaza, look at the reflecting pools and move up to the edge. on those edges, ringing the reflecting pools, etched in bronze, the names of all of those who died here. they will be able to see them, touch them, photograph them for the very first time. t.j.? >> all right. susan candiotti, thank you. if we can, keep that picture up for me. the picture there of the huge reflecting pools. it's hard to really tell the story and try to describe what you are seeing. this is simply gorgeous. this is one footprint you're seeing there of one of the towers. but the two foot prints, that is

where the towers actually stood. amazing to think. this will open to the public starting tomorrow. they wanted to have it ready for the tenth anniversary and it is ready. it will be dedicated today. the public will be able to make reservations and come down and visit starting tomorrow. as we continue on this special edition of cnn sunday morning, coming up next, we know we have heard so many stories of survivors but also family members who lost loved ones. we'll check in with soledad o'brien. she'll be talking to someone who lost a husband on this day, ten years ago. stay with us on this special edition of cnn sunday morning. [ kimberly ] when i was 19, i found myself alone

with two children and no way to support them. people told me i wasn't going to do anything. and i just decided i have more to offer than that. i put myself through nursing school, and then i decided to go get a doctorate degree.

university of phoenix gave me the knowledge to make a difference in people's lives. my name is dr. kimberly horton. i manage a network of over a thousand nurses, and i am a phoenix. [ male announcer ] find your program at phoenix.edu. at about 40 minutes past the hour on this cnn sunday morning. a special edition coming to you from ground zero in new york city on this tenth anniversary of the september 11th attacks. 2,753 people were killed right

here behind me at ground zero on this day, ten years ago. manufacture them, a father, husband, a son, wives, daughters, you name it, a lot of good friends were killed right here. i want to check in once again with soledad o'brien. she's at riverside park and is standing by with someone who lost a husband on this day. hello to you once again, soledad. >> right, t.j., thank you. jennifer macnamara. he was diagnosed with stage 4 colon cancer in 2006. jennifer joins thus morning to talk a little bit about the path that you've had. he was a firefighter for ten years, right? >> correct, yes, he was. >> do you believe his colon cancer, a very aggressive form of colon cancer was connected to his work at ground zero? >> absolutely. i have no doubt in my mine. you don't find a cancer that aggression knife that young a man with no genetic

predisposition otherwise. >> how many hours did he spend working on the pile? >> over 500. >> when he was diagnosed with colon cancer, what was the first thing you thought of? >> our son. i was pregnant at the time, four months pregnant. and our future and what's going to happen, is he going to be here to see his son born. is he going to be here to raise his son. >> there's a bill which finally passed, dedicated $4.3 billion to survivors of 9/11 and people who are dealing with some issues but not cancer. cancer was a main exception in that bill. >> correct. >> i know you've been working very hard to change that. why? >> because it's clear to me by the number of funerals that i have been to, the number of people i have seen die of cancer that cancer has got to be included. there's no doubt that cancer, that toxic soup that was down there, is causing all these people to die. i have been to 50 funerals in the last two years. all cancer. i don't hear of anybody dying of anything other than cancer.

>> the memorial that's taking place at ground zero today is not open to people like you. it's not open to firefighters and rescue workers down at ground zero. does that upset you? >> it does. not for myself. i don't want to be there. i think the guys who work down there should be there. they have their friends there. they have their family there, their brothers there. it's as much a place for them to grieve and mourn as it is for the families. i believe they should be allowed there. >> since your husband died in 2009 you've taken on a couple of fights on a couple of fronts. he left a list of further things he wanted you to do. >> he did. >> in his death. what was on that list? >> everything from where he wanted his ashes spread to taking jack my son to disney, to his sister moving to creating a community center in bluepoint where we live on long island. and we've created a foundation, the johnny mack foundation and we are working towards building a community center in his name.

>> you're also fighting to getting cancer added to the bill. >> absolutely. we write letters, we talk, we come on shows like this and make sure people are aware that cancer needs to be included. there are people out there who are sick. they don't have benefits. they need help. the only way they're going to get it is if cancer included. >> your son is running around, a red head, 4 1/2 years old. >> yes. >> would you want him to grow up to be a firefighter? >> if that's what he wanted, absolutely. i think it is the most honorable profession. i can think of no better profession for him to be in, to follow his father's footsteps. there's nothing better. my husband always said it was the best job in the world. he said he would do it again, everything that he did again, no matter what, even knowing he got sick. >> thanks for talking with us this morning and good luck with your fight. appreciate it. >> thank you for having me. >> jennifer mcnamara's story is not the exception. we've heard many versions, people saying an deck dotally that they have attended

funerals, dozens, maybe more, of people, firefighters, rescue workers, who have died of cancer and they're waiting to see if infact the dbill will include cancer. >> soledad, thank you so much. we'll check in with you in just a moment. we'll be talking with the fire commissioner there. thank you so much. it's about a quarter to the top of the hour here. you're watching a special edition of this cnn sunday morning on the tenth anniversary of 9/11. daylight starting to break in new york city at ground zero. people starting to collect and gather for a ceremony that's taking place at about 8:30 eastern time, again, to commemorate all those who lost their lives on this day ten years ago. stay with us. ♪ [ jim ] i need to push out a software upgrade. build a new app for the sales team in beijing. and convince the c.e.o. his email will find him... wherever he is.

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at about 13 minutes to the top of the hour here on this september 11th, 2011. we can show you something that just happened moments ago at the pentagon. huge flag, american flag, being unfurled on the side of the

building. there, of course, is where 184 people lost their lives when at 9:37 a.m., ten years ago today, american airlines flight 77 crashed into the building. now we can show you a live picture of it this morning. ceremonies taking place there. shanksville, pennsylvania, and, of course, right here at ground zero in new york city where i am this morning. i want to say good morning once again to soledad o'brien. she's at the firefighters memorial. 343 were killed on this day ten years ago. i understand you have the fire commissioner with you now. >> absolutely. we're about eight miles north of where you are, t.j. 100th street and riverside drive. we are with the fire department's commissioner, salvatore casano. i know we are the first stop of a busy day for you. >> the first anniversary of the

attacks of september 11th we thought what would be the best play to start our day. the monument is the firefighters monument, 100 years old, a lot of tradition. we thought let's honor everybody that was killed in the line of duty, let's honor everybody that served in this department, active and retired and pay tribute, homage to their bravery and self-sacrifice. we think this is the perfect spot to start what is a very emotional and long day. >> you'll be heading then down to ground zero. but most of the firefighters and police department members are not invited to those ceremonies. does that annoy you? >> no. as far as the fire department, we've had a huge -- you'll see 4,000 or 5,000 firefighters here about 9:30 and there are ceremonies throughout all firehouses in the city where most of our people go. it hasn't been -- the world trade center hasn't been a place

where the fire department has gone as a department. we felt a much stronger bond at the firehouse where our families would go, spend some quiet time together. not being at the world trade center isn't something we did anyway. so we're not upset. it's something that we haven't really done in the past ten years. after the world trade center i have a museum, we have military come and i'll visit a few firehouses where there are ceremonies and finish up and sit down at a beautiful memorial. >> very busy and emotional day for you today. what's changed in the last ten years? when you read the transcripts of what transpired on 9/11, the communication and lack of it, the radios that didn't work for firefighters heading up into the towers, not understanding what else is happening outside of the towers, not getting good intelligence from the choppers overhead, have all of that been improved for firefighters? >> all of that has changed.

i can be here till next september talking about it. but smome of the things i can tell you, some people said the radios didn't work. well, they did work. we have transcripts. but now the radios are much better. we developed our powerful post-radio, what all chiefs carry, 45 watts. we've used it in every high-rise building to see if it works, it works from the lobby to the top floor. our communication has improved tremendously. some of the other things, we'll put a battalion chief in a helicopter for a major incident. that gives us the fifth side, all four sides we can see and from the roof down. we've hired over 6,000 firefighters, promoted over 3,000 officers. we're better prepared, better equipped, more resilient.

right now we have 100 people upstate in binghamton helping them to alleviate the fire condition. we're sent 700 firefighters to new orleans for hurricane katrina. we are much more resilient and we're paying it forward, thanking all the people who have helped us in the last ten years. >> we appreciate your time. good luck with your day. we know it's going to be a tough one. >> thank you very much. >> appreciate it. we'll begin with the wreath laying ceremony that will happen in about seven minutes right here. that will kick off the ground zero events happening where you are later this morning. t.j.? >> we'll check in with you again, soledad. we'll be going back to that in a few minutes when it take place. we have been showing you this morning the 9/11 memorial, officially dedicated today, open to the public tomorrow. those huge reflecting pools. the pools you see down there, also something else that's not quite ready to open but they're getting it ready, the 9/11

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welcome back to this special edition of cnn sunday morning, coming to you from ground zero on this tenth anniversary of 9/11. special guest with me this morning, a lady with a big responsibility, alex green waltd, direwalt wald. right there in the center, we focus attention because that is the museum. you're saying it's constructed for the most part but right now what are you still working on, collecting things to put in it? >> we're working on the interior work to finish everything on the inside. we've brought some of the larger artifacts in already. and we'll be placing them over the next few months. plus we're actually fabricating exhibitions right now so we can begin installation in three or four months. >> you say artifacts. what kind of things can you expect to see if there. >> it's a range. we have monumental pieces of world trade center steel,

vehicles, fdny fire trucks, ambulances but we also have intimate material, the memorabilia of some of the people who perished. we have wonderful things that come from some of the tributes that people have made in memory of these people. >> what is your deadline now? when do you want to be ready? >> we are going to be open september 2012. severing on go. we start tomorrow, the 365-day couldn't the june to the opening of the museum. >> why will this one be so important to where we are right now? people will come and they want to stop and reflect and see the names at the pools but what will that center piece now, which is literally right in the center, what is that going to mean to this area? >> i think there's a beautiful balance to a memorial that speaks to absence and a museum that presents the presence of what remains. the museum will be a place of not only commemoration but education. that's for the generations that were too young to remember what

happened on 9/11 or were not born yet, there will be a place to come to learn. >> i know it's a busy day for you. we will see you, you said this countdown, this 364-day countdown will begin. it will be ready next year. we'll certainly be here for it. i know it's a labor of love for you, put in a lot of work over the years. as we get cles to the top of the hour here on this cnn sunday morning, stay with us. we'll be checking in with the firefighters memorial ceremony taking place. we'll take you there live in just a matter of minutes. stay with us.

good morning to you all once again, here at the top of the hour on this cnn sunday morning. a special edition coming to you live from ground zero in new york. we are of course on this tenth anniversary of september 11th. the shot you're seeing there is of the world trade center one tower being erected here and also you're seeing the memorial pool, the reflecting pools. the memorial being dedicated today, the official 9/11 memorial. those two huge pool will be open to the public. starting tomorrow. they have the names of all the people who died as a result of the attacks on this day ten years ago. the thoughts today are to the victims and many of the victims families and many of the firefighters, 343 that died as a result of at tacks on this day ten years ago. soledad o'brien issen stading by at riverside park. expecting a special ceremony to take place any time now. soledad, you take it away, tell us what you are expecting to see. >> we're at the firefighters

memorial, about eight miles north of your location at ground zero. in 1913 they dedicated this quite beautiful memorial structure here. it's wonderful. it has two sculptures. one says sacrifice and one says duty. it's been a place where after the first anniversary of the attacks firefighters started to come to try to honor their dead, the 343 firefighters who lost their lives in 9/11. they wanted a place, they said, where there would nobody speeches, no politicians, that it would be simple, a way to remember people who gave up everything, who made the ultimate sacrifice because they believed very strongly in doing their job. trying to rescue people. once again, they will come here today to have a memorial. noidz longer a small memorial because it's the tenth anniversary and because they really are not invited to where you are at ground zero. we're expecting maybe thousands of people to come here at 100th street and riverside drive to

take part in the celebration. this morning at 7:00 a.m., obviously it's going to start any minute. you can see some of the shots, they're getting ready to start a wreath laying ceremony. the fire commissioner will do that and then he will make his way downtown for the start of the official event for ground zero for him and probably a long day for him. but then we're expecting after that, many people to come and, starting a little bit later this morning, to join in those moments that are sort of the key moments of remembrance here as well as the same times, obviously at ground zero are very important. one of the things we've been told by the organizers. you can see it now. they're putting the wreath into place with the number 343, representing, of course, the 343 fiore fighters who lost their lives. on the grass on either side of this memorial, t.j., it's a shot we'll show you later, they've put these little sticks and later we'll see flags to be

placed there. it's stunning when you see the sheer number, each stick, of course, representing an individual who died on that day. and that, of course, is the fire commissioner and he is bringing the wreath up the stairs. the start of the ceremony here at the firefighters memorial on 100th street and riverside drive. through all this, t.j., is the start of the official ceremonies of the day. it's very simple and it's really what the five original firefighters who started this tradition after 9/11 wanted. just to simply remember people who made the ultimate sacrifice. >> and soledad, as we watch this and it's unfortunate there has to be any controversy today and you talked to some of these fir fighters today. i didn't get a sense in listening to them necessarily that they were bitter or angry but at the same time, a little

disappointed that they're not, you know, it will almost be shocking to some people around the country to hear, wait a minute, what? the firefighters aren't invited down to the ceremony this morning? >> yes. they have a moment of prayer, remembering the 343 firefighters who lost their lives, i think that's a really accurate way to put it, t.j., which is they have not been invited down to ground zero, which means that for some, that's just disappointing. i think other people are angry, other firefighters are angry. we heard from the fire commissioner, though, he said, listen, this is really not where the fire department would go anyway. they'd go to their firehouses or another place to have a moment of silence or a remembrance. he didn't feel like it was something that was a big deal in his mind. we've heard from some firefighters and firefighter families, just the idea of not being invited has the tone, if you will, of an insult.

mayor bloomberg said there's just not room at ground zero ceremonies where you are and they can't have them. that is the fire commissioner, salvatore cassano saying a few words. a small crowd has gathered, i would estimate several dozen people. on either side of where i am, five blocks to my south and ten blocks to my north, they will be blocking off riverside drive because they're expecting thousands of people today. this very simple ceremony, the kickoff to the ground zero ceremonies and the kickoff for us as well to what we will be seeing here at the firefighters memorial. t.j.? >> thank you so much. as we see this picture of this ceremony, this is one of a number that will be happening today. this is really starting off the day, this sayceremony you're seg here. the next one will be starting at 8:30 here at ground zero. the president we understand, president obama is in the air on his way from washington, d.c.

here. he'll take part in the ceremony. several moments of silence today. 8:46, the first moment of silence when the first plane hit the tower here at ground zero. another moment of silence at 9:03. another at 9:37, another at 10:03. those are the four times when the planes crashed ten years ago. also today we will see washington, d.c., another ceremony taking place there. this is at the pentagon you're seeing now. that huge american flag was unfurled just a short time ago. it will hang there throughout the day, reflecting the vice president as well as the defense secretary, leon panetta to take part in the ceremony happening there around 9:30 eastern time. and, of course, in shanksville, pennsylvania, today, they just dedicated phase one of the permanent memorial to the heroes of flight 93 who helped bring down that plane so it wouldn't reach its intended target. president obama after he leaves here in new york ground zero

he'll head over to shanksville, pennsylvania, to be a part of the ceremony there. cnn will bring you all of the ceremonies live, right here. susan candiotti has been joining me live at grip. she joins me once again. as we're starting to see the sun come up at ground zero, a beautiful, cool morning this morning and families are starting to gather and it's starting to buzz, if you will, downstairs. >> it really is a magnificent sight, isn't it? we've been here predawn, now there's a lot of scurrying around, police gathering. now finally it's a different sense as we get closer to the beginning of the ceremony. i'll pan off camera just a bit now. you can see how the streets remain closed to traffic here. that's another indication of how tight the security is around here. it is open only to foot traffic involving police officers, families who are coming here by

bus and other invited guests and dignitaries. they are escorted by bus to a certain spot. they get off the bus and walk down the street to the beginning of the platform. among these family members are those who have lost loved ones, also relatives and survivors. and for the very first time this morning, they will get to walk on this plaza, many of them were here just a year ago when it looked nothing like this, the amount of progress is really stunning. but now they see the reflecting pools finished. they see the water running and they will be able to touch and feel for the very first time the names of those who died here, etched in bronze, around the rimpf those reflecting pools. which of course mark the foot prichbt the world trade center towers. that is what the families will get to experience for the very first time as well as what they do every year, raiding the names of their loved ones who passed away. some of them carry photographs

of them as well, wearing t-shirts with the name of those who died. it's a remarkable ceremony every year, even more so this year, t.j. >> susan candiotti, thank you so much. it's important to note as we are stopping to pause, the security is quite jarring and unsettling in some ways. it's the security like really new york which has seen plenty of security scares over the years. they're used to dealing with police presence. well, it's even ramped up eastern more. as you know, this is coming at a time where we are under a new threat. we are being told possibly there's a plot to coincide with the 9/11 anniversary. we just showed you a shot a moment ago. we have spotted snipers on the roof in some places. we knew that was beginning to happen. ground zero and new york in a lot of ways under security like they have never seen before. because of this anniversary and also because of this new

possible threat that security officials are still checking out. we'll have more on that throughout the morning. just a gorgeous morning as the sun begins to rise in new york and on ground zero, in particular. coming up, candy crowley will be joining me live right here on set. she'll be taking over at 8:00 eastern time. but she'll join me with a preview in just a moment. also this morning we'll be looking back at some of the defining moments, really some of the moments of this day ten years ago, including some of the news coverage of that day. take a look and listen. >> turned 20 degrees right. >> 20 right, american 11. >> american 11, if you hear boston center ident please or acknowledge. >> we have some planes, just stay quiet and you'll be okay. we are returning to the airport. >> you are looking at a disturbing live shot. that is the world trade center. we have unconfirmed reports that a plane has crashed into one of the towers of the world trade

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the 9/11 memorial is for my 343 brothers who didn't make it. and for my brother. this shows the world that we can rebuild. and that we are strong. it's for the heroes like my dad. robert de niro: this year, the national september 11 memorial opens in new york city. join us to honor, remember, and reunite. you can help right now by texting the word "hope" to 80088 to give $10.

quarter past the hour now on this cnn sunday morning. a special edition, coming to you from ground zero. i'd like to say good morning to candy crowley. nice to be sitting next to you for a change. can you believe it's been ten years? i hear that from so many people, wow, ten years.

>> sometimes it seems like a century ago. other times you think, being up here in new york, it does seem a lot closer than ten years. i'm sure it does for the families. >> ten years ago, of course, you were and we all were, i guess you could say, even if we were off work, you got to work pretty quickly that day. you were on a plane september 11th. >> elizabeth dole was announcing her senate run in north carolina. >> i remember that. >> and we he were en route from washington to charlotte. i remember looking at my watch right as we touched down was 8:45. the first plane hit the north tower at 8:46. got off the plane, checked in at the desk. something ran into the -- one of the twin towers. but keep going. by the time we got to the rental car it was come home. you couldn't get home by plane. we rented a car. the weirdest thing i have to say on that day was driving north

toward washington and we -- you know, should we go straight to new york, back to washington, et cetera, et cetera, was all of these signs, digital signs that said washington, d.c. closed. we kept looking at each other thinking, how -- what do you mean washington, d.c. is closed? how do you do that? it was very weird. >> on this day, we are, of course, remembering what happened. remembering the attacks but we're also getting a fresh reminder of how our world has changed with living under constant threat, quite frankly. this country has been on a heightened state after letter for the past ten years, iter iterally. we're being told there's a possible threat, on the 9/11 anniversary. how does that change our dynamic today, not just the security dynamic but our mindset on a day we have enough to think back on but now we have a fresh reminder of the world we live in?

>> sure. we've had the suicide bomber in afghanistan already. it strikes me not so much that we're on alert. frankly, most people still don't know exactly what that means. you look suspiciously at a suitcase or whatever it happens to be but that it's so a part of the thing. i didn't have one relative say to me, maybe this says more about my family, say to me, you're going to new york. it's a part of life now. i don't think i thought twice about coming up here. i had one be careful. it's how we live, especially on anniversary days. >> the people of new york, more so than anybody in this country, they live with it, day in, day out. they talk about some of the inconveniences, really, of the security shutdown over the past couple of days. so many others we talked to

simply say, yeah, did anything blow up? it didn't. we're safe? block whatever street you need to block, do whatever you need to do. >> somebody tweeted in new york saying i was going to come down for dinner tonight but now i'm not going to come, not because i'm scared, because the traffic is so bad. they did all the checkpoints. >> and we are starting to see the sun hit your face here, just a gorgeous shot of the sun rising here at ground zero. we're just a few minutes away. candy will be back at the top of the hour, 8:00 eastern time, along with anderson cooper, to continue our coverage, showing the remembrances around the country. good to see you. a quick break but in just a moment, we'll let you hear some of the stories from the firefighters from this day ten years ago. the firefighters who did that heroic work and were finding people in the rubble. stay with us for this special edition of cnn sunday morning. [ indistinct talking on radio ]

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morning maybe like the one we're having this morning where it looked like nothing could go wrong and then all of a sudden, the country and the world changed and so many lives changed along with it. we have been talking a lot this morning about the families, the victims, the first responders and in fact, the firefighters. now i want you to listen to some of the firefighters telling some of the stories in their own words of what they went through that day going through the rubble. >> march 25th, 2002, we're down there and we had found the helmet, my son's helmet was crushed. it had the 114 on it and he had his name on it, so we knew he'd probably be nearby. a whole crew of us got dunn on our hands and knees and dug with our hands.

we found his turnout coat, turnout pants and his boots. decomposition had set in. it was naturally six months later and we wrapped his body in an american flag, put him in a body bag, wrapped him in an american flag, just like we did all the people that died down there. we wrapped him in american flags and put them on their stretchers and we had a procession out and we lined up all the men, everybody stopped. there was no digging. my three sons came, my one son timmy was in the fire department then. they brought him down. my other two sons were young and were at home. they came over. >> my dad brought us down there and we were all actually able to carry him out. >> there was a lot of emotion and it was sad and everybody at the site, we went down and everybody was respectful. you feel the love there from a lot of the guys, the cops, port authority cops, everyone.

everyone was just together like family. you know, you could feel the support. >> my dad was there at next day after the funeral making sure he could help the fathers and help the other people, find them. he didn't just give up. we made sure everyone got to go home, you know? >> they stayed until the end. they got every last person out of there. some days you couldn't go down there. emotionally and physically you were destroyed. i don't know how he did it for the year that he did do it. >> that is from 9/11, portraits of resilience. that's an hbo special that will be airing a little later this morning. also later this morning, actually coming your way at the top of the hour, cnn special live coverage of 9/11 will continue. the main ceremony, i guess you could say here at ground zero will take place at 8:30. president obama expected to land here in new york shortly.

he will make his way here to ground zero to take part in the ceremony. former president george w. bush will be here as well. right now we have a gorgeoussun rising on ground zero on this september 11th morning, on this tenth anniversary. this is the day the memorial will be dedicated today here at ground zero. also a live picture we're showing you as well of the capitol, washington, d.c., ceremonies taking place there as well. stay with us for our live coverage of this september 11th anniversary. [ beatboxing ] ♪ i help pay the doctor ♪ ain't that enough for you? ♪ there are things major medical doesn't do. aflac! pays cash so we don't have to fret. [ together ] ♪ something families should get ♪ ♪ like a safety net ♪ even helps pay deductibles, so cover your back, get... ♪ a-a-a-a-a-a-a-aflac! [ male announcer ] help protect your family at aflac.com. [ beatboxing ]

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good morning once again on another gorgeous september morning. september 11th, 2011 now, ten-year anniversary of those attacks. the sun is coming up on what is just a gorgeous, gorgeous new york morning. many people will tell you it was just like this, a gorgeous september morning, ten years ago today when it looked like nothing in the world could go wrong and then all of a sudden the world changed, because of what happened here at ground zero and washington, d.c. and shanksville, pennsylvania. the world changed. and the course of the lives of many american men and women changed, our military men and women. suzanne malveaux has been visiting with our troops in kabul, afghanistan. she joins me once again. suzanne, hello and how do they plan on marking this day? >> reporter: t.j., it's a beautiful sunny day here as well in kabul, afghanistan. it's been kind of a quiet day for many soldiers. many of them have