. good morning, 20 years later, america pauses to remember and reflect two decades after 9/11, a day that changed the nation and the world >> in some ways it seems like it has been a long time and in other ways it seems like it was just yesterday >> the worst terror attack in u.s. history, nearly 3,000 people killed in new york. in shanksville, pennsylvania, and at the pentagon, the pain is

still fresh for survivors. first responders and families of the victims. >> i think about 9/11 everyday when i wake up >> the toll of the war still being written like lessons of remarkable stories like heroes and resilience resonating now just as loudly >> these were my firefighters and the city i love. >> tens of millions coming together united by grief and the healing power of time. tributes and events and ceremonies from coast to coast to mark a day we'll never forget america remembers today. saturday, september 11th, 2021 . announcer: from nbc news, this is a special edition of "today: america remembers 20 years later" with savannah guthrie and hoda kobt, live from the world trade center

>> and good morning everybody, welcome on this special edition of today on a saturday morning beginning here at the site of the world trade center, across the country hoda where you and i are, we are in the shadow of where the twin towers stood 20 years ago. >> everybody remembers exactly where they were and who they were whether you lost somebody or not, it's personal we'll visit people who did lose loved ones >> it's written in our hearts. stories will be told this morning. >> we'll have many tributes today. there will be held of the large american flag at the pentagon alongside the building where flight 77 struck >> that already happened this morning. >> the president and first lady will pay their respects at all three memorials starting here at

lower memorial with a visit at 9/11 museum >> it's set to start at 8:40 eastern. at 8:46, the first of several moments of silence will be held marking the time the first plane struck the first tower >> 9:00 a.m. at arlington, virginia, obseerservance will be held >> we'll bring you to all three sites this morning with the pain and agonizing toll of this day still linger we'll shine on the light on the hope that's been found the last 20 years and results to ensure we never forget what happened. >> craig is here with us in lower manhattan, good morning to you. >> reporter: savannah, good morning to both of you

family members of all those killed in 9/11 are gathering here they are gathering at the pentagon and shanksville, pennsylvania, this morning as well to honor their loved ones to make sure we make good on that collective promise that we all made it. we'll never forget what and who we lost that terrible day. >> reporter: eight acres, that's the size of the memorial park here at the world trade center site the emotion tied to the space is limitless for many pausing to observing the anniversary today. two decades were vanished. they'll be brought back to the horrifying event of the day that could never forget >> apparently a plane just cracr crashed into the commercial center >> reporter: 20 years ago, two planes crashed, another plane

slammed into the pentagon. the fourth plane over powered the hijacker ending with the crash in shanksville, pennsylvania in all 2,977 lives were lost somber remembrances are plant across the country with president biden and the first lady expected to attend memorial events in new york, pennsylvania and virginia tl white house released a video message encouraging americans to mark the anniversary with act of service and the spirit of unity. >> unity is our greatest strength or >> reporter: a memorial already started place like a wreath laying here honored by the colleagues lost in 9/11 of their sacrifices and all first responders who gave everything to help others has never been forgotten. 20 years later there is still

progress being made in the effort to connect names to all the victims' remains with two victims identified this past week by dna. lester holt talked to conolisa rice. >> i am convinced intellectually that we did everything we knew to do given what we knew at the time on a personal level if you are in a position of authority, you feel remorse by that by definition, we were not able to do enough >> 20 years of perspective, the retired police lieutenant rushed into the north tower to help with the evacuation, he and a handful of firefighters stopped at the stairwells managed to survive the collapse >> i remember coughing

the only thought that came through my head that men don't cough, i must still be alive >> reporter: lynn mourns the lost of his partner. >> we carried him out of ground zero, they treated him just like any other fallen first responder, i remember them folding up the flag and handing it to me which is when i lost it >> reporter: the emotions are power as of 20 years have not past and we are all brought back to the day america was attacked. >> reporter: again, savannah and hoda, that ceremony is set to start here around 8:30 we are told family members and dignitaries are all already in place, president obama and

former first lady just arrived and the president and the first lady will be arriving here they'll be visiting the museum behind me before the ceremony begins >> thank you, we saw former president bush's national adviser. we'll hear more from them when they join us a little later this morning. >> tributes are being held at the pentagon where hijackers flew american flight 77, killing 59 passengers and crew on board and 125 on the ground. our peter alexander is there hey, peter, good morning >> reporter: good morning to you, 20 years more than 7300 sun rises since that terrible day. at sun rise this morning as it's becoming the tradition, the president and first lady as we heard they're going to arrive

here to lay a wreath t t this year commemoration will be different, more than 2400 american service members died of that war, shy of the 3,000 who died at 9/11 itself. that lost is still raw with 13 service members killed and the attack at ckabul a couple of weeks ago. there will be a moment of silence that we'll pause for 9:37 when the plane struck of course with so many remembering the fear and confusion from that day, what strikes me is a story from susan henson, her office is 20 feet from the crash site. the miracle of that day is not walking away unharmed, the real miracle was seeing what happened afterwards when she says this community and this country

united in compassion and kindness and love. a powerful and moving day ahead here, savannah and hoda. >> peter alexander for us, thank you. mourners gathered in pennsylvania the plane that was meant to strike the white house but never reached its target because of the heroic actions of its passengers and crew on board tom is joining us now from shanksville, good morning to you. >> reporter: good morning, ges are still arriving here of what to be the largest crowd ever up to 500 people here as you mentioned, former president george w. bush and along with vice president kamala harris and president and the first lady will pay their respects here outside of shanksville, this entire park was built after this horrific accident there were not any rose to get

up to this memorial site i was speaking to a lot of family and friends members yesterday sduring a moving ceremony that started over night. they lit the lanterns of the 40 names. the wall of names as they call it they were talking to me how proud they are, this serves as a place to educate, the world of the bravery of their loved ones. they talked to me ant their loved ones the story of '93 was told, those family members calling their loved ones and telling them what was happening and telling them they're going to ban together to take the hijacker. a lot of fathers and former police officers and a flight attendant was boiling water to go to take on the hijacker as we look at the family of todd

bmw beamer there one point i want to say because every family member says this, the war on terror started on 9/11. the first u.s. warriors who gave their lives are the passengers in the field of western pennsylvania it's really one of the first markers where the war on terror started. they gave their lives to protect all these people in washington where this plane was intended h heading. >> tom, thank you so much. we are joined by the commissioner, commissioner, good morning, it's 20 years later and you are in the spot right now and your eyes are swelling up. both savannah and i, you walked in on this day, you feel the pain >> yeah.

it has been a rough, the coverage this year is unbelievable everywhere you look is someone telling a meaningful story and you can see it on their face, whatever their age or how old they were and where they are now and who rescued them and what they went through. it's just an amazing set of coverage every time i turn it on, talking to people and just reliving all and rough for everybody. >> i would imagine it's bittersweet because on the one hand these memories are so painful but on the other hand you want people to remember what those first responders and firefighters, your colleagues what they did that day >> i heard someone says, we'll never forget but we don't really want to remember >> i know what they meant. i think it's better when somebody can get it in and out and get it back in so you can go about your life. it's really rough. >> we talk a lot about the loss

but we were reflecting on all the people that were rescued that day the heroic acts of your firefighters because of them they're sitting at a breakfast table this morning with their families. how much does that thought play into you on this day >> that really helps i saw the other day, 65 children of people that died that they went to fight for. is that remarkable i want to continue my father's tradition. they grew up seeing through a small period of time the comradery and the fire houses. they saw what the fire house did for their families over the 20 years to try to help and never forget they have all been born and bred into a tremendous tradition. >> if you can, share what sticks with you that day, your memories of being right there as this horror unfolded all around you >> i just said to my wife, i can't believe i worked at the

world trade center, three years at fema with covid and everything it's painful coming to work and just looking out other days you have a sense of pride saying i got to shape this ghost. all the good stuff, sit outside at the memorial and have a sandwich and see the pride and respects that so many people have the memorial is spectacular. i think we did a great job after all the poll titics and beginni mayor bloomberg put it all together, did a phenomenal job >> i don't think people have looked at our first responders the same way ever again. do you agree >> that's exactly. i say that all the time. what our guys did for firefighters around the world that day will always be respected and admiration >> we honor them today

thank you so much commissioner we want the turn to what happened in the fallout of the attack the u.s. launching the war on terror invading afghanistan and 20 years later that mission came to a chaotic end. ric richard engel joins us from doho this morning good morning to you. >> >>. >> reporter: it's an emotional time people are worried about their future in afghanistan. it's tragic in many ways how full circle things came. 20 years ago the taliban were in power in kabul, all across afghanistan and they were harboring osama bin laden. after 9/11, the u.s. responded military, many people may not remember but days after the 9/11 attacks, the cia had special forces already mobilizing and already had a plan in motion to

topple the taliban and drive out osama bin laden, they hope to kill and capture him at the time just three months after 9/11 it was largely accomplished the taliban were driven from power. al-qaida was dispersed but osama bin laden got away the u.s. got distracted by the war in iraq and now troops are out and the taliban have returned they have returned with a new narrative that they were able to push out the united states and there are consequences to that >> all right, richard engel in doha joining us now is jim geoconi and ashley they both lost a loved one jim and ashley, good morning boy, i am listening to the bag

pipes. we are sitting here at the very spot where your loved ones passed i wonder if you have reflection in this particular moment. >> for me personally the bag pipes are always such a motion to me remembering those days, the bag pipes coming down the streets it's all overwhelming. all the memory below >> ashley, for you to be here, you were just 16 when you lost your dad i know for years it was something you didn't want to talk about unspeakable. what does it mean to be here and speak his name and remember him? >> the word overwhelming is the perfect thing to say really to be in the very place where my dad was 20 years ago he was on the 101st floor and to think that's where he's killed

and now i'm siting here is heart wrenching but to be able to speak his name and remember him on this day, i am honored to do that >> your brother joe had children and i always think boy, how are they and what have they become how are his children >> his children are wonderful. they are good souls. my nephew is just coming to the point where he's able to speak about it and he becomes an advocate for his father's name my nephew was 10 and my niece was 13 she's much more quiet but she's doing really well. and in fact a little antidotal no note that my niece married a muslim boy and we welcomed him to the family. >> the healing of love >> poetry.

>> we are talking about the kids, it's your dad that lost you and look at how you flourish yourself and you written a book about your experiences what is it like to grow up the last 20 years with the defining moments happening when you were just 16 years old. >> that's what i wrote about in my memoir. it was really hard to navigate through life having to lost my dad and living in manhattan in my 20s trying to create a life for myself and doing that in the shadow of the freedom tower was difficult. i found that as i was rebuilding that freedom tower, i was rebuilding myself in a way it's nice to be 36 years old now and married with my two beautiful children and i hope my dad would be proud >> jim, i watched you give a pe speech, you were so moving when you talked about your brother. what you described climbing this mountain and at the top of the

mountain when you finally did it, you talked about how you left a note for your brother i don't know if you want to share that i am curious what that was >> well, loikike you said, we climbed the mountains and we found a pickle jar and people leaving notes inside of it i found a pen and paper and i wrote my prayers with my brother. i promised him that i will never let him be forgotten that's my life's goal. >> both are carrying out this day this morning we remember your brother and daddy. >> thank you so much >> we really appreciate it o our thoughts and prayers with your family jose. expecting a warm weekend across

the bay area. san francisco right now waking up to 58 degrees, a closer look at your temperature trend for this afternoon, a mix of sun and clouds, temperatures will top out in the mid 60s for the bay and the peninsula, the interior valleys expect to see warmer temperatures, 72 degrees by 11:00 a.m., topping out in those 80s, upper 80s for the hot inland valleys. and still ahead this morning, this is a day of remembrance but for volunteers around the country, ner9/11 is day of service, jenna is going to bring us the story of the heroes who started this movement and how you can get involved >> we'll celebrate the lesser known heroes, search dogs who brought much needed comfort and life in the darkest hours of the rescue missions. but first, these messages --

20 years later, former president obama and former first lady michelle obama arriving here at lower manhattan a moment ago and some of the dignitaries expected to see and including president biden will start his day here an inside look of many aspects of day-to-day life forever changed by 9/11 including the way we fly we are going to get into that. how the world changed in an instant and we'll cover the

good morning. thank you for joining us on this saturday i'm kira klapper. a difficult day for the nation as we remember september 11th. 20 years ago this morning the deadliest terrorist attack on american soil. in oakland yesterday city leaders and first responders gathered to honor the victims and first responders. on the shores of lake merritt there was a bell ringing ceremony and a moment of silence. there are events happening across the bay area today. go to nbcbayarea.com for a full list. and in other news now, a quick-thinking police officer saved the life of a newborn who

was choking. mountain view police received a call about a one month old baby choking outside in-n-out on monday night. officer daniel garcia was on patrol across the street, he ran over and started doing cpr until the baby started breathing again. >> given the size of the baby i didn't want to do too hard of a compression so i was using my thumb to do the compressions. >> when paramedics arrived the baby started breathing again, they gave the baby oxygen, took it to the hospital. officer garcia tells us that baby is doing well. meteorologist vianey arana has a look at our microclimate forecast. >> we will be warm yet again today across the bay area, 61 degrees in san jose, waking up in san francisco the temperature trend shows a mix of sun and clouds, expect a couple of areas of some fog early this morning, topping out in those low 60s for this afternoon around the bay.

dublin 59 degrees, the temperature trend mostly clear, we have high pressure rolling in. a closer look at your daytime highs for this afternoon, nice day ahead, we are expecting to top out in the low 80s for the south bay, 81 degrees in san jose. a little bit warmer in through the interior valleys, concord 87 degrees, livermore 86 and in through oakland we are talking 70s on the forecast, 65 degrees for san francisco, 80 degrees in santa rosa, napa 82. once we get some of the clearing of the fog around the coastline expect to see a combination of mixed sunshine for the bay and the peninsula. santa cruz today great beach day 75 degrees. we are also expecting to see much better air quality. no red flag warnings in effect for this afternoon, no heat advisories in effect but it will still be pretty dry so if you are going to be outside spending the time with family please make sure to enjoy it but limit outdoor activity. >> thanks so much. it is 4:28. coming up this morning on "today

in the bay" the recall election is three days away, time is running out to get your ballot in. what you need to know ahead of election tuesday. we will have that plus all your top stories coming up at 8:00 after a special september 11th retrospective.

we are back, it's saturday morning, september 11th, 2021, 20 years after the worst terror attack in history. the impact of that day is being felt it has been 20 years, i am sure a lot of people waking up this morning and thinking i remember where i was today. >> it was one of those moements of history you do remember where you were in the shadow of the world, the

trade center and the twin towers stood behind us. there were so much darkness that day but also light to tell you about. we saw the generosity of the human spirit shining through people lending a hand, looking at neighbors, i am sure you remember hoda walking down the streets the way you look at each other in the eyes and it was this collective grief and also this collective love of country and love of one another. >> i remember being asked 100 times can i help you, do you need something there was one particular man who lost his brother, he wanted to remember his dedication to kindness he started a movement. a movement that's become a nationally observed day of service. >> jenna bush-hager is a few miles from us. volunteers about to honor the event of 9/11 not just with

words but with good deeds. >> reporter: there are so much goodness in this room. everybody here is ready to serve. volunteers we packed as many as 5 million meals as part of an effort by a nonprofit called 9/11 day. 9/11 day. >> reporter: 20 years ago, a country united in grief made a promise. >> we could never forget we can never forget. >> reporter: it's one that is kept everyday, honoring his brother, glenn >> glenn was my reason if i can do anything in his honor is to try and encourage people to live life the way he did. >> reporter: glenn worked for 20 years as a firefighter emt, he

was getting ready to go to work as an attorney near the world trade center he did not get a call to serve but he answered his own calling. >> he raced downtown and help evacuate his law offices and headed two blocks on foot into the south tower. >> reporter: his final moments spent hoelping others. glenn was found months later in the south tower, his medic bag by his side. in the days and months followed, it was glenn's act of kindness that jay witnessed across the country that inspired him. >> we focused on humanity, we were all people. >> reporter: in 2002, he and his friend david created 9/11 day and asked americans to commit to kindness every year on september 11th >> how do you explain what this

day looks like >> you pick a thousand people and you find a thousand ways people engage in ne9/11 >> reporter: projects in new york city. now it's a nationally observe day of service with thousands across the country coming together to pack millions o f meals for feed america >> reporter: linda reynolds responded the scene as chief deputy sheriff, the meal packs are a form of healing. >> this was more than an empty sk gesture. i was doing physical work knowing this was going to help and assist a lot of families and individuals. >> reporter: a legacy of kindness jay is working to pass alopg to the next generation all in honor of glenn. >> what do you think he would think of what you built. >> glenn would be first in line. when i have down moments of his passing, that's the place i try to go to

if glenn can somehow understand what the country was doing in honor of all those directly affected, it makes me feel good. >> reporter: y'all, thanks to jay's work, this is the largest day of charitable service in the united states with as many as 30 million americans taken part each year. joining me now is jackie day who volunteers every year, good morning jackie >> good morning jenna. >> reporter: your officer was in the south tower that faithful day. although you were not at work, you lost 67 colleagues who were like family. >> we did. >> reporter: what's your reflection 20 years later? >> it comes back quickly fortunately, we are proud, we reflect on all the efforts we made to help our 9/11 families and get our firm back in business and support the them the entire way until this day. >> reporter: until this day, you have volunteered here for many

years, how has helping helped you heal >> this is inspirational here. on a day that's so difficult and heart wrenching. you come here and you participate as a group with your co-workers and friends and you feel joy you feel pure goodness and lightness when you give here it's inspirational and fun helping do good deeds is what this was about i love being here. >> reporter: fipure light on what's a dark day. we have not gotten the party started. we'll do that about 8:00 a.m there is a deejay and movie night, all inspired by our heroes i know you lost so many you love i can't wait to pack some meals. >> reporter: the incredible thing about this movement, anyone watching can participate.

take your kids, all you have to do is take a brief moment for an act of kindness. >> what a great word to spread today on 9/11, jenna just do something kind for someone else today and you will honor those who are lost that's just wonderful, jenna >> 60s for san francisco today, expect to see some 70s near the east bay. oakland in through palo alto 77 degrees, south bay upper 80s. mostly sunny conditions, expect a couple areas of fog near the cruz and near the santa cruz area with some chilly 50s but by the afternoon we will be in the mid to upper 80s, concord 87 degrees, livermore 86. high pressure will continue to dominate through the weekend ahead. >> we have much more ahead as america remembers 9/11 and including how the events this

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the most common side effects are pain, redness, and swelling at the injection site, muscle pain, tiredness, headache, shivering, fever, and upset stomach. talk to your pharmacist or doctor about protecting yourself with shingrix. shingles doesn't care. but we do. welcome back to this special saturday edition of "today," on the 20th anniversary of 9/11, hijackers used four planes to attack america that day. it. >> it changed the way we travel forever. nbc's stephanie gosk is joining us at times square carefree travel became a thing of the past, steph, good morning. >> reporter: good morning savannah and hoda. the priority and those immediate days after the attack stopping

the next one security put in place dramatically changed our lives the debate about how it was hap handled and whether those sacrifices we made worth it rages on >> reporter: liquids out and belts and shoes off, body scans. long lines and a lot of headaches. at every turn air travel is a reminder of the legacy of 9/11 before terrorists hijacked four planes and killed 3,000 people, the airport were easy. remember when loved ones could walked you to your gates >> there was a lot of scrutiny, a lot of mistakes and a lot of good things happened we basically change the way people fly >> reporter: the country woken up to the risk of foreign attack >> it felt like new york city had a target on its back, didn't it >> it certainly did. people were convinced that another attack was imminent.

>> reporter: when ray kelly took over the job of nypd commissioner in 2002, the rubble of ground zero still smoulldered >> we had to revamp our intelligence and we put in place thousands of fabric. >> reporter: the new year's eve ball drop complex security challenges surveillance became a priority >> re >> we assigned people to 12 cities overseas. nypd officers. >> reporter: you had an international intelligence organization >> we thought we needed it. >> reporter: what new york was doing was happening on a federal level. the patriot act in order to stop

terrorists there was public out cry in 2015, congress passed a usa freedom act, in attempt to curl tail some abuses and increase civil oversights civil liberty groups still say fall short >> the nsa was collecting hundreds of millions of call records per year >> reporter: according to former director of homeland security. >> eventually to be sustainable, you have to be balanced in a way that people are going to live with >> reporter: how to keep americans secure while safe guarding civil liberties, the central question in post 9/11 world is still being asked 20 years later. suzanne, we talked a lot about the rent level, today is no difference there is no credible threat in new york city. there are a lot more police and

that's because they say there is a quote elevated threat environment that's because of this big anniversary together with the u.s. departure from afghanistan, those two things have police here in new york extra vigilant guys, back to you. >> as always, stephanie, thank you very much. coming up in a bit, the legacies of the service dogs of 9/11 brought in the search of survivors ended up giving more than anyone could have expected. but first, these messages -- four years clear. real people with psoriasis look and feel better with cosentyx. don't use if you're allergic to cosentyx. before starting, get checked for tuberculosis. an increased risk of infections —some serious— and the lowered ability to fight them may occur. tell your doctor about an infection or symptoms, or if you've had a vaccine or plan to. tell your doctor if your crohn's disease symptoms develop or worsen. serious allergic reactions may occur. learn more at cosentyx.com. the new citi custom cash℠ card, a different kind of card that rewards

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>> so 300 dogs traveled from all over the country to help they worked 12 hours shift the mission was so about so much more >> reporter: it's often said the worst brings out our best. a principle that does not just apply to humans. >> brittney was once in a lifetime k-9 partner >> reporter: the royal pup was 2-year-old when dog and owner traveled from texas to new york the days after 9/11. >> our jobs and mission was to search for survivors and we were not able to locate any >> reporter: the search dogs became therapy dogs offering much needed comfort. >> the gentleman came down next to brittney -- he began petting her. >> reporter: the man told her his best friend loved golden

retrievers >> i asked him, who's your best friend or where is your best friend something along those lines and he turned and pointed at the pile and says he's missing, he's in there some where. >> that speaks volume how important brittney was, does it? >> i think brittney and others like her are invaluable during these times. >> reporter: brittney would spend seven more years as a search dog before listening to school kids read he was the last known 9/11 dog still alive. she and denise returned to the emo emotional site brittney made it clear her time has come >> i laid with her the night before and held her and told her it was okay to go.

>> reporter: the next morning firefighters thanked her too ses, sending her off with a salute. >> reporter: they directed her in a bronze statue and some of her ashes that denise proudly wears. >> i like to think that she's still with me. >> reporter: all attributed not just to brittney but to all dogs that serves when they needed most tt s >>hawabeautiful. >> thank you so much >> we'll be back right after this

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do not breastfeed while taking dovato. most common side effects are headache, nausea, diarrhea, trouble sleeping, tiredness, and anxiety. so much goes into who i am. hiv medicine is one part of it. ask your doctor about dovato-i did. ♪♪ [ "the addams family" theme playing ] ♪ they're nice but irritating ♪ ♪ their excitement can get grating ♪ ♪ they're dressed for pastry baking ♪ ♪ the progressive family ♪ ♪ they're helpful but annoying ♪ ♪ they always leave us snoring ♪ ♪ accidents are boring with the progressive family ♪ so... when do you all go home? never! we're here for you 24/7. how terrifying. protection so good it's scary. "the addams family 2" playing october 1st. some people have joint pain, plus have high blood pressure. they may not be able to take just anything for pain. that's why doctors recommend tylenol®. it won't raise blood pressure the way that advil® aleve® or motrin® sometimes can. for trusted relief, trust tylenol®.

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on the 20th anniversary of the 9/11 terror attacks and we look back at the lives that were lost. also on those who were saved by the heroism of many, particularly of 40 brave passengers and crew members aboard the united flight 93 which was diverted from its intended target in washington, d.c. one of the people on board that flight, mark bingham, he was among the passengers who fought back against the hijackers and diverted the plane to a field in rural shanksville, pennsylvania. coming up on our special edition of "today in the bay" at 8:00 a.m., we will tell you about the message his friends want you to hear of his actions on this day 20 years later. in other news, the last day to vote in the special recall election is just three days away. a new poll those governor gavin newsom likely will keep his job, but the final campaign push is on. newsom cast his own ballot yesterday. president joe biden will campaign with the governor on

monday. leading challenger republican larry elder is out shaking hands on his campaign trail. this is the first special election where 22 million registered voters got a mike inouye ballot. election offices are preparing mike inouye ballots for counting after the polls close tuesday. if you plan to put yours in the mail the return envelope must be postmarked on or before election day, that's tuesday, september 14th. meteorologist vianey arana was a quick look at your microclimate forecast. >> we're starting out mild in san jose at 60 degrees, it will be a warm afternoon today. we have high pressure taking over, nice day ahead today, actually, much better air quality through this afternoon, 59 degrees right now in san francisco, take a look at the temperature trend, by about 9:00, 10:00 a.m. we will still be in the 50s, around the coastline expect a little bit more cloud cover in through the afternoon a mix of sunshine.

interior valleys will be warmer 59 degrees, nice and clear through 9:00 a.m., we will bump into the 60s and eventually top out into some 70s. for now we are actually seeing slightly cooler temperatures, the 24 hour temperature change for santa rosa, novato, concord and livermore a few degrees. the forecast at 7:00 -- or 8:00. >> we will see you at 8:00, we will a special edition of "today in the bay." we will remember the lives lost on september 11th. we will have a live report of some of the remembrances taking place across the bay area today as we reflect on this most somber day. we will have that plus all your top stories and vianey's full forecast at 8:00. right now we will send you back to the "today" show.

america remembers the nation coming together 20 years after 9/11 to commemorate the lives loss and reflect the day of this ongoing impact of the world. victims and heroes and survivors being honored at emotional tributes across the country led by the ceremonies at ground zoz

zero today, saturday, september 11th, 2021 >> good morning, it has been 20 years exactly since september 11th, 2001 and the moment the world changed. >> i was rewatching the top of "today" show on this day it was a normal "today" show and the crowd russwas waving and everyone was outside and enjoying a beautiful sun-splashed day just like today. the president and first lady are expected to arrive at ground zero to pay their respects to nearly 3,000 people loss that's where craig melvin is, hey craig. >> reporter: good morning savannah and hoda. good morning to both of you. we are few minutes away from president biden's arrival here, former president barack obama and former lady michelle obama

just arrived a short time ago. the star spangled banner was being sung and we heard the bag pipers rehearsing as well. being down here around 45 minutes before that first plane hit is really is hard to believe how different all of our lives were 20 years ago and of course no one's lives changed more than the families of those who were lost that day and today, today is focused on them president biden and first lady dr. jill biden and everyone joining his family in a number of memorial events they'll mark moments of silence and along with the names of those lost there will be musical performances and remarks from the family members as well >> yesterday we saw a wreath laid here by firefighters in

honor of the 343 colleagues they lost that day. we have been talking to members of the first responders the past few days many of them dare dealing with the mental trauma and physical trauma they can't to tell us they are the lucky luconesones. savannah and hoda, that's what today is all about here on this beautiful memorial site. everyone united and remembering that day, some 20 years ago but also reunited and looking forward and caring on the legacy of those that we lost. >> all right, craig, thank you so much. >> in washington, tributes at the pentagon began early this morning as the sun is coming up with a touching display.

our peter alexander is there for us this morning. hi peter, good morning >> reporter: hey, savannah and hoda, good morning to both of you. as powerful and patriotic at sun rise this morning. that's becoming a tradition and dates back to fire rescue crews on september 12th, 2001 who draped the enormous flag on the side of the pentagon hours after that attack. 184 people were killed 125 of them in the building. there are memorial benches and dedicated to each of the vi victims. the youngest is just three years old. we'll hear from the defense secretary and the chief of staff and we'll pause for a moment of silence exactly when that flight strike president biden and first lady will arrive here and lay a wreath this year's commemoration will be different this is first of no american troops serving in afghanistan

where the attack was planned at this very site, this venue was a symbol of the country's strengths and resilience the most damaged area of the pentagon rebuilt a year later, they built that goal with a month to spare hoda and savannah. >> peter alexander, also on hallow ground this morning, thank you. one of the many powerful stories from this day 20 years ago, a woman aroorived at work just as the plane hits the world trade center sharing her touching journey and resilience, coming up right after this why not... schuuuuzp.. put them together. save even more. some things are just better together, aren't they? like tea and crumpets. but you wouldn't bundle just anything. like, say... a porcupine in a balloon factory. no. that'd be a mess. i mean for starters, porcupines are famously no good in a team setting.

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there has been so many incredible stories that emerged from the people who lived through those terrible attacks one of these terrible people is joining us now, her name is lori manning. this morning she has a message of resilience to share we'll speak with lori in a moment, first, her 20 years journey to this moment >> reporter: a phone call made lauren manning late for work in the north tower of the world trade center she entered the lobby as the first plane struck >> the second later this fire ball came and hit me from behind and it flung me towards the door as it pushed me out and i floundered across the highway to a grassy area where i laid down and rolled trying to put the

fire out >> reporter: her only thoughts about that time about her husband gregg and her ten-month-old tyler. >> i didn't want to die, i screamed to god to let me live for tyler and my husband lauren was rushed to the hospital minutes before the south tower fell she spent a month in amedically induced comma. she under went dozens of surgeries, relearned how to walk how to use her hands while raising tyler. over the years we followed her story as she shared her sill sill y resilience with the world. >> i knew it would get better. i was given a shot that many were not >> reporter: she had live her full life to the fullest, writing a book about her experience and welcoming her

second son, jagger, born in 2009 >> at the end of it all, there is nowhere to go but forward >> is that the most beautiful love story, lauren is with us now. wow, there is so many things to hit on the thing that jumped out to me listening was that was your will to live. you were not going to die in the world trade center, you had that will, just describe what was going through you during that time what you can remember >> i think in the first few moments what was going on was the chaos and the incredible penetrating flames and i didn't understand what had happened by the time i gotten out across west street within 15 minutes, the second plane hit and i have been there in 1993 during that bombing, at that point it was apparent that the terrorists had come back and this was another attack i felt myself going under, it

would have probably been so much easier to die. but i don't believe death would have taken away the pain i thought of my son, i screamed and called to him. i won't leave you now, i can't leave you now. i decided and i made a choice to live and as i was waiting and hoping and eventually had to come back across the highway, i looked at the towers and the bodies were falling and i knew that my office, some of the individuals coming from and they were my colleagues and friends and so i vowed to avenge them and my entire equation was pretty simple get back to my son and avenge those that did not have that slim grace and blessing of the chance that i had fighting my way out of the building. >> well, you avenge them to go on and beat all the odds and live, just to live

there were moments you were in amed a medically induced coma and moments you were given no chance to live and you lived. is that what carried you forward? >> i think it's at its core just a situation where when given the odds and the perspective after being nearly two months in a coma, i could not speak or walk or talk. miraculously though i thought in my mind that i would be going at the end of the week. as the tale was told, well, that's not happening i looked at them and i saw in the love and the pity and the eyes of those that surrounded me because the odds of living were still so slight. i didn't like it nobody likes to be pitied i don't think and certainly i didn't i thought i am going to give it my best shot i wanted 100% recovery which is impossible so i created this sherades of

sorts where i would be a ninja wounded, it's not true obviously but it helps sustained me. >> you lived because of your son, tyler i was thinking was there a time you had to explain the whole story to him when was that and how did he deal with that >> tyler is an extraordinary young man. he's in college now. tyler grew up with a mom who was wrapped in masks and had bloody bandages and incredible issues for so many years. he was always by my side what happened with him is he developed a latent ptsd later. he's doing fantastic now he's joined by his little brother, jagger, who we fought

to have. he was born in october 22nd, 2009 i finally got my wish in a sense, two boys, i am sure there are days they are not too happy they got me. >> well, you are such a light. >> quickly to be here on this day -- in this very spot what goes through your mind? >> what goes through my mind is the extraordinary heroism of those in uniform and those who are not in uniform all of the people that came and saved and helped one another everyday civilians were the ones who had the tag marked on their back killed. buy heart, my hope and my thanks goes out to each and every one of them that not only do we never forget that we find this to be a day of hope >> wow, lauren, thank you so much we appreciate you sharing all that >>

57 degrees. expect to see some early morning clouds, temperatures will remain in the mid 60s this afternoon. much better clearing in inland areas. a lot of sunshine and also good air quality expected for this afternoon. expect 70s in the forecast by about 11:00, 12:00, upper 80s for this afternoon. running a little cooler around the coastline including novato and santa rosa as well. through the interior valleys today's forecast in the mid and upper 80s. still ahead this morning, harry smith will join us with reflections on the overwhelming emotions we all felt that will day and in the years since and this morning first, these messages --

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we are taking a look at how much the world has changed harry smith is here with more. >> this anniversary really started to occur to me a couple of weeks ago as i saw the final flights leave afghanistan, wow, this all started some 20 years ago, so much has happened and as they say nowadays, there is a lot to unpack. >> reporter: anguish does not begin to describe the depths of pain we felt 20 years ago. we could not believe what we were seeing was real we could not turn off the news >> you could see this wall of debris comes flying at us. >> reporter: tales of bravery and selflessness hour hearts broke more when we saw the faces of the misses and the stories and the last phone

call then, the funerals bag pipes. we were united in grief, our differences evaporated over night it seems american flags appeared at every front door the sense of security we assumed was our birthright had vanished. why? how? who? it was the dots we were told, we failed to connect the dots and the world on terror began. american commando entered afghanistan, the mission to root out who would harbor terrorists, a mission that would extend to iraq to elsewhere. a mission that would last 20 years. many rushed to enlist in the cause, volunteers. men and women will to do their

bit to serve their country on the statue of hassa n fallan many assumed the war would lie insurgent. ied. collateral damage. >> as the wounded and fallen came home, we honor their service and thank them for it. the war, the fighting, the repeated deployments were often burdens almost unbearable. what they face, what their families endured only dose who were there and the ones who love them truly understand the cause. as the las lastt trans ppot afghanistan days ago, we find

ourselves at a moment of reckoning. we love nothing better than to declare mission accomplished what we know for sure is just not so >> so today is the day to pause and perhaps everyone a day to pray >> definitely, a day to remember and reflect. thank you for helping us to do that >> especially the sacrifice of our men and women and their services we can't say enough about at d the ramification of this day. >> we'll be back right after this innovating, sourcing organic ingredients, testing them and fermenting. fermenting? yeah like kombucha or yogurt. and we formulate everything so your body can really truly absorb the natural goodness. that's what we do, so you can do you. new chapter wellness, well done. ♪ ♪

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20 years ago today at this moment hijackers flying air traffic controller, he had control of the plane >> it was the most tragic day of u.s. history this morning, mourners are gathering at manhattan and shanksville, pennsylvania, and the pentagon to remember the thousands that were killed that day. we are here in the shadows of those towers, people have gathered we'll stay on the air this morning, we'll bring you our nbc news special report, "americ good morning. thank you for joining us on this the 20th anniversary of 9/11. we look back on the lives lost

and also the heroism to save others. thousands of first responders rushed in to help and among them was california task force 3 led by the mem low park fire chief. we spoke with the now retired chief, five days after 9/11 he and 60 firefighters from the peninsula arrived at ground zero. it was such a dangerous assignment, he and his team left behind dna samples in case they didn't come back, in case there was another attack or another building collapsed on them. they spent 14 days looking for survivors and recovering bodies. one of his mentors died had that day while trying to save people in the twin towers and to this day he wears a bracelet about his mentor's name. there are several 9/11 events happening across the bay area this weekend. just a few include the san jose fire department posting it's day treats day remembrance, haywood

will hold a vigil at 10:00 a.m. and in san francisco a day of service where volunteers will gather at the palace of fine arts to pack meals for those in need. let's check in with vianey arana who has a quick look at our microclimate forecast. >> a nice day when it comes to the weather and sunshine and also a little warmer in inland areas. we have 60 degrees in san jose right now, by the afternoon high pressure is expected to roll in and what happens is it's going to warm up when the sunshine comes in. 57 degrees right now, a mix of sunshine and cloud cover. in through the afternoon we will keep this low 60s in the forecast for san francisco, right now in dublin it's about 59 degrees. notice in the icon plenty of sunshine and also about 72 right around your lunch hour. let's take a look at the 24 hour temperature difference. we are running a few degrees cooler this weekend compared to warmer temperatures we saw during the week. now, santa rosa is running seven

degrees cooler, novato five degrees cooler and your daytime highs for today, we will see a range of 60s, 70s, low 80s and upper 80s. concord 87 degrees, livermore 86. another thing in addition to it being mostly sunny, we're expecting much better air quality. kira, back to you. >> love that we will have better air quality. thanks. coming up this morning on "today in the bay" -- >> that one little act that him and the pas injuries of flight 93 saved a whole lot of lives. >> here is a legacy this man's friends want you to know about him. that plus all your top stories coming up al 8:00 after this special edition of america remembers 20 years later.

♪ >> announcer: this is an nbc news special report. "america remembers 20 years later. good morning, everyone and thank you for joining us, in what is a somber and important day in america's history, the 20th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks. i'm lester holt here with