we're waiting on a moment of silence out of shanksville now.ment that flight 93 did crash into the field that you are looking at. we'll continue to follow all of these ceremonies and remembrances today on september 11th. very closely and bring you all of those moments of silence. of course, the best that we can today. there is other news that we need to get out to you. in fact, breaking news right now. we want to get to jean. the coast guard is on alert and enda enda engaged at this time. >> reporter: there's a security zone there in place because of the ceremonies going on at the pentagon today and we have seen at least one boat come up the potomac and challenge the coast guard and try to get into that security zone. the coast guard has been very clear in their radio instructions to the boats to stop. that they are in violation telling them to leave but it appears that these boats have not paid attention to the coast guard directives and have continued. at one point there appeared to be a game going on where a coast guard boat would try to cut

. >> at ground zero in new york and in shanksville, pennsylvania, mourners remembered the loved oneshey lost. laura evans has a look at those tributes. >> reporter: starting in new york. the family members and volunteers stood out in the rain reang out the names of everyone killed in the attacks there. >> christopher e. allenham. [ indiscernible ] >> our dear son, nicholas charles alexander rose. >> reporter: they also observed four moments of silence, the exact times the jet liners struck the north and south towers and the times each tower fell. vice president joe biden and bloomberg spoke to the mourners. >> just as our hearts return to those that we lost, we also remember all of those who spontaneously rushed forward to help however and whomever they could. their compassion and self-less acts are etched in our city's history. >> reporter: the crowd gathered at a recently-completed plaza next to ground zero. it's part of the memorial that will include two square pools, symbols of the footprints of the world trade center towers. >> todd m. beamer. there is no grand memorial to mark

this is a look at memorial fence in shanksville. later on they will have a permanent memorial built. tom ridge, the first secretary of homeland security, will be at the shanksville ceremony. >>> a small remembrance will be held at bernie backus middle school. the school lost a teacher and student. one student and teacher were killed when flig 77 crashed into the pentagon. they were on the way to california for a national geographic conference. asia had just started the 6th grade and she was talented in math. clark had been a teacher for 36 years. we'll be live at the school in the 8:00 hour for more on today's memorial. >>> new tonight, hazmat crews will spend the morning cleaning up a chemical spill in prince george county. a 5-gallon drum of cleaning chemicals spilled in capitol heights. everything is contained now but the explosion blew out two overhead garage doors and window and damaged a van inside. >>> in lanham, police are looking for the person responsible for a deadly hit- and-run. this happened around 8:00 last night alon

the ceremonies brief but meaningful in shanksville, pennsylvania.t probably would be bypassed by most people had not united 93 gone down there five years ago. because of the bravery and the heroism of the 40 passengers on board. who were not going to let their plane be hijacked and flown into some building, we'll probably never know for sure where the terrorists were headed but the general feeling is they were either headed for the united states capitol or for the white house in washington. again, that is the fence that stands a few hundred feet from the site the plane hit and it is there where people leave remembrances every day, which periodically are taken down off the fence, catalogued and held in a museum in shanksville. some people refer to what happened in shanksville as the first victory in the war on terrorism and some feel given what those passengers did that no plane will ever be hijacked again. george stephanopoulos is standing by in washington. it's interesting how the nation is responding today. it is a day i think on everybody's mind.

and also in shanksville, pennsylvania, where another plane went down on september 11, 2001.bering and honoring the victims of 9/11 with a run to remember through downtown baltimore. that is set to kickoff in just a few minutes. we're going to take you down there live to see what is happening. good morning, i'm patrice harris. we need to check in with meteorologist steve fertig to see what is happening with all of this rain. steve, a messy morning. >> it's a messy morning. we will hear from candace with regard to the roadways, that is something you will have to deal this morning that is wet and messy all morning. the radar indicating where the rain is heaviest. we have been watching it to the south and east of the city. to the west, it's been heavy and raining there on the morning all morning long and i-83 seeing downpours as well. the heaviest rain, though, has been along the eastern most part of the north eastern shore and also into delaware. delaware under a tornado watch this morning and into the early afternoon until about 12:00 noontime for the folks there, and also now

we know now that it ended up and shanksville, pennsylvania.uote the president saying, get your facts straight and clean up your language, not you in particular, but in the conversations that were going back and forth in quote the president as saying, we will not pound the sand. >> i think what the president ultimately decided was, this was war. this was not a criminal situation. this was war, once we knew it was al qaeda. i think that was a fundamental shift in u.s. policy on how to handle terrorist attacks like this. so, when i think he saidinot pound sand, after we launched cruise missiles into afghanistan, the results were probably not very good. i think what he meant was, we're not just going to launch cruise missiles with unknown results. bill: that was august, 1998, just about three years to the month before the attack. if i could turn your attention to the career war on terror, there is an awful lot of debate about what we do in afghanistan. leading democrats and told the white house, do not ask for more troops because we are going to p

to ground zero to shanksville, pennsylvania, the country paused to remember the victims and the heroes of the september 11 attacks. 184 people died when a third plane hit the pentagon eight years ago. obama and defense secretary robert gates were among those paying tribute at a ceremony outside the defense department. t the site of the crash, the commander in chief placed a wreath near the pentagon memorial. >> let us renew our resolve against those who perpetrated this barbaric act and who fought against us still. in defense of our nation we will never waiver. >> the. also said one way to honor the victims of 9/11 is to serve. >> our own very dear son make lass charms alexander rome. >> in new york family members and volunteers stood in the rain once again reading the names of victims. they also observed four moments of silence: the exact times the jetliners struck the north and south towers and the time each tower fell. >>> in our joy and in our sorrows we know we belong to one another. tell me about despa, yours, and i will tell you mine, wrote the poet mary oliver. >> tonight two b

turn away. >>> a memorial service is going on right now in shanksville, pennsylvania.nd crew who died are being honored today as hero heroes. >> for me it's a celebration. it's one of the best ways i know how to honor my brother. and the other 39 passengers and crew. it's very spiritual for me. >> well, that man is honoring his big brother by going on a cross-country motorcycle ride, tracking flight 93's intended path. >>> we'll remember the victims as well and the family members and the heroes of 9/11 in the upcoming hours on this eighth anniversa anniversary.

. >> in shanksville, pennsylvania, for the secretary of state colin powell spoke at a memorial for the victims of united 93. >> they refuse to let it just happened. they acted. 40 men and women, mostly strangers to each other, but representing the best and most wonderful the diversity that is america. >> a nation morning and remembering the day eight years ago, now forever etched in our memory. as in years past, the tribute will take place tonight. two beams of light shining in the night skies symbolizing where the towers once stood. >> about 1000 people in baltimore least of their sneakers to honor the victims of 9/11 this morning. melissa carlson has that story. >> the rain may have dampened the roads, but not the result of the runners who took part in the sixth annual 9/11 race to remember. >> two airplanes had crashed into the world trade center in an apparent terrorist attack on our country. >> it was eight years ago today that americans died at the hands of terrorists at the world trendsetter in the pentagon and shanksville, pennsylvania. runners went to a downtown baltimore to b

solemn memorials will take place today at the pentagon, in new york and shanksville, pennsylvania, to honor those who were killed eight years ago today in a terrorist attack. now a day of remembrance is also a national day of service. >> well, good morning and welcome back to "news 4 today." i'm joe krebs. >> and i'm eun yang in for barbara harrison today. >> let's take a liv look outside right now, see what the weather looks like. it is rainy. kind of a dreary day, a lot of clouds and rain. almost -- well, all around the region. we'll find whether that's true or not. let's go to tom kierein. he's joined us here in the studio. >> all coming from an irascible rascal of a storm that's spinning off the atlantic seaboard. this low pressure systnem'see b lingering for the last couple oe days. as we look at the forector for today, it's going toe a wet moin g. urat holding steady in the low andur aid0s-6nd maybe moderate to hea aest0sim t whim a blustery .ndwi but it looks like the situati nd will improve by this of a .noono cloudy and a smaller chance of some showers. as we get int the even

. >> certificate ceremonies will be held -- ceremonies will be held in shanksville pennsylvania. flight 93 was believed to have have been headed to the state capital when the passengers tried to regain control of the plane. they were honored at the capital. the names of the passenger and crews are permanently edged in the walls of the capital's front lobby. >> there are other local remembrances in our region. at noon a service at national cathedral. a bell will toll 8 times to begin the service. the national museum of the marine corp. and the city of alexandria will observe a moment of silence at noon at market square. >>> are we safer and wiser or have the lessons from that day begun to fade. we get answers from a member of the anyone eleven commission. >>> we are on a slippery slope of -- nine eleven commission. >>> we are on a slippery slope of becoming more vulnerable again. >> >> i think we have made a lot of strides. >> we apologize we are having technical problems. we will get you the story as soon as we can. >>> president obama has called for today to be a gnash fall day

here in lower manhattan, a similar scene played out in western pennsylvania at a remote field in shanksville. >> lorain g. bay. >> reporter: hundreds of locals, loved ones and dignitaries making the trip to the site where united flight 93 crashed. >> if they had any chance of survival, they had to attack not only to save themselves but to save hundreds if not thousands of their fellow citizens and is to to show the terrorists that they would never defeat us. >> reporter: across the nation and the world remembering what happened this day eight years ago and how it's changed the nation forever. in new york, rick leventhal, fox news. >> our coverage of the 9/11 anniversary continues throughout the hour. still ahead, eight years since the attack. where is osama bin laden? >>> plus, we'll take to you a local middle school honoring a acher and student lost in the tragedy. >>> and how hundreds dedicated this day to helping others in our community. >>> police in prince georges county are trying to track down the driver in a deadly hit and run. happened last night on route 450. the police say the dri

and they're also commemorating this day in shanksville, pennsylvania. united airlines flight 93 crashed there after people took over the flight and forced it down to prevent another attack. the fames of those on that flight were read out loud at 10:03, at the time of that crash. >>> and today recognition of the 9/11 attacks. here is a live look from outside of the cathedral this morning. prayers will be offered for the victims and families. at the start of the services, the bell will toll eight times, marking the eighth anniversary of the 9/11 attacks. and eight years ago today a teacher and one of her students from backous middle school were killed in the 9/11 attacks. >>> their school is now closed but today people will return to a memorial there in their honor. sherry ly joins us live from backus middle school with more on the how the campus is remembering the victims today. sherry, good morning. >> reporter: good morning, gurvir. since backous middle school closed, family members of the victims and the community have been taking care of this memoria

crews will break ground in shanksville to create a memorial for those victims. we thank you for joining us on this september 11. it is a blustery, windy day at ground zero, the site where this all began eight years ago this morning. let me bring on jane skinner, my co-anchor, as we continue this coverage. jane: you were the one who led the coverage when the planes hit the towers in new york city. things are a bit different this year. jon: it is the first time where you can honestly feel like there is reversed going on here. for so many years, -- you can feel that there is rebirths going on here. for many years, there was nothing behind me where the world trade center once stood. now there are cranes, scaffolds, real activity. that is why they are not able to do much of the ceremonies. there is simply too much construction going on. families are lining up right now, i can see them over my left shoulder. they are dropping flowers in that temporary memorial pool. jane: past ceremonies have been glorious days of sunshine, warm, almost early fall. how's the weather t

massive open field here outside of shanksville.ery open and quite simple in some places to honor the members of flight 93. brooke? >> we will never forget, kate. thank you. >> we are asking our viewers, we want your thoughts beyond remembering that day eight years ago. do you think you have been desensitized by the events? are safety efforts focused in the right area? call us at 877-tell-hln or send us an e-mail at cnn.com/hln or text the word views plus comments to hlntv. standard text rates do apply. >>> in other news, an anti-abortion activist was killed in a drive-by shooting while staging a protest near a high school in michigan. police say a suspect is now in custody. a witness saw the license plate of the suspect's car and reported it to police. authorities say the suspect told investigators he was involved in a second killing today. the second victim was shot inside his office at the gravel pit that he owned. >>> good news here if you don't like to get shots. who likes needles any way? it looks like the newest h1n1 or swine

colin powell and tom ridge will be at the shanksville ceremony. >>> straight ahead, she blew away the an faced a bizarre controversy. there are questions about her gender. coming up next, the test results are in and i suspect this is going o have a lot of people talking. we'll get an update on that vicinitier from south africa. >>> the reforms i'm proposing would not apply to those who are here illegally. >> you lie! >> more uproar over this heckling incident. congressman joe wilson has t apologized but he is still facing serious heat. we'll plain next on fox 5 morning news. we'll explain next on fox you like your health coverage, but worry what happens... if you get sick, or change jobs. eight ways reform matters to you. a cap on deductibles and out-of-pocket costs. no annual or lifetime limitsn coverage. preventive care. covered. pre-existing conditions. covered. no higher rates due to gender. extended coverage for young adults. no more coverage denied if you get sick. and guaranteed renewal, even if you do. len more today. without my makeup. now, it's no problem. (announcer) neutro

beamer. [ bell tolls ] >> there is no grand memorial to mark where 40 people died in shanksville, pennsylvania but there was a ceremony in the field where flight 93 went down. the passengers on that flight died fghting the hijackers who took control of their plane. >> they were to become worthy successors to heroes of concord and lexington. they would be minute men and women. they had a moment which against all odds was theirs to seize. >> work on a formal memorial at t sc is scheduled to begin next month. >>> our coverage of the 9/11 anniversary is far from over. coming up at 10:30, how one local husband is still dealing with the loss of his wife on this tragic day and then how people took president obama's day of service to heart and one remembrance a true show of endurance. >>> all of those ceremonies had to deal with some heavy rain at times today. you can see here on this map the rain moving through. but things are starting to improve out there right now. fox 5's gary mcgrady has more on that from the weather center tonight. >> you can already see on the radar picture, some of the raine h

meanwhile in shanksville, pennsylvania.hat's been built there because the people that owned the property and there has been different issues there and governor tom ridge, who was here became homeland security secretary was governor back then. he will be at that site. when you think about 9/11 marking eight years. you really think of three sites the pentagon, ground zero, and then shanksville where flight 93 went down and those families will be there. steve: brian and gretchen, speaking of families, this year there will be 115 family members who have been invited to actually go out and step on to the memorial plaza. that's the first time that's happened. now down here at ground zero at 8:46, there will be a moment of silence. the mayor will call for it and then church bells throughout manhattan are going to ring. and then begins the very long process of reading all of those names. all of those americans who died eight years ago today. gretchen: all right. so we'll continue to vowr special coverage today as we remember 9/11.

. -- in shanksville, pennsylvania. >>> earlier today, brian and i were answering questions, answering phone at answering phones at mix 107.3. it was great to be a part of the effort to help children. >> we got to meet some of the kids out there that were getting treatment and chat with them, which is very touching. we talked to the volunteers, people calling in to raise money, but don't worry, we did not take anyone's credit card. >> last year they raised $166,000, so we are hoping for an even better year. >> check it out on the website. >> when we headed out there, it was beautiful.owar ck now is starting to wh the clout, especially as the evening wears on. take a look at the time lapse from our stuodi camera here. goere is some blue, and as we up to peek through a ittt ble. you can see the cars moving .cross the bridge clou e filling back in. do look for the clouds to fill in. 67 in warrington, 66 in winchester. 66 in leesburg. near 70 in woodbridge. temperatures up near the low 70's, but we should be near the low 80's for this time of year. let's show you on the maps what is going

continue today in new york, shanksville, pennsylvania and also at the pentagon.ck, chris wragge joins us once again from ground zero. >> reporter: his entire life is connected to this sacred site. his father helped build the original twin to youerses. he proposed to his wife on the 107th floor at windows on the world. now for the very first time, here's brian lyons' story. >> i could walk this whole site and show you many places where lots of souls were found, people were found and fire engines were found. >> i'm sorry to hear about your father. >> reporter: eight years ago, brian was one of the first rescuers at ground zero. his skills as a construction worker were vital in the recovery effort. >> a day doesn't go by that i don't think of a spot that i could tell a story. >> reporter: one of those stories is about his kid brother named michael. a firefighter with squad 41. >> here's a picture of me and my michael, my best friend. >> reporter: in five years, brian will remember forever. >> she said squad 41 report to tower two. >> reporter: brian's brother, micha

shanksville, pennsylvania. eight years later, what does this say of al qaeda?ning us now, nbc news terrorism analyst michael sheehan and former deputy commissioner of counterterrorism for new york city, for the police department, and former state department ambassador at large for counterterrorism. thank you so much for joining us, michael. >> thank you, andrea. >> well, where are we eight years later? how better protected are we when we look at the fight against al qaeda? >> well, andrea, without a question over the last eight years, we have diminished al qaeda's capability to attack us in the u.s. and more broadly in the west. they remain, however, a very strong and resilient organization with a tremendous, strong ideology, strong number of adherence around the world that are willing to do their bidding but they haven't had the capability, the strategic reach to attack us in the united states. and that's due to a lot of things that have been done over the last eight years to keep pressure on them. in my view, however, if we let up on that pressure, they'll be

. >>> a ceremony is also being held in shanksville, pennsylvania in honor of the heroic victims of the united airlines flight 93. former secretary of state colin powell is the keynote speaker. >>> today is also a national day of service. more than 100 volunteers would worked at the world trade center following the 9-11 attacks will read the name of the victims. elsewhere, people across the country plan to do beach clean- up, hold fundraisers and send packages to american soldiers overseas. if you like more opportunities, head over to our website at myfoxdc.com. we have a list of things you might be able it take part in. >>> at the national cathedral, today's noon service will be offered in recognition of the 9- 11 attacks. prayers will be offered in memory of the victims and their fap liz. a bell known as the funeral bell at the cathedral will toll eight times marking the eighth anniversary of the attacks. >>> in new york, the tribute in light will shine ecover the cit tonight starting at sunset. this is video from last year's tribute. the lights are located near ground zero and lower

a similar theme in shanksville, pennsylvania, honoring the victims of flight 93. former secretary of state: pout and tom ridge attended. -- former secretary of state colin powell and tom ridge were there. >> eight years later, we still ask why. despite all the we have learned that day, the attacks upon our nation remained brutally senseless. >> bells tolled for the 40 victims who died on that fateful flight. >>> there was a security scare after the war reports of a boat going up and down the potomac river and shots being fired. radio chatter said that coast guard boats were going around the river, but it turned out to be a training exercise. the coast guard said the transmission is common, and the media coverage made the situation worse. >>> the question many of us have after the rain-filled week is, is more of that on the way? doug hill has a first look. >>hiftngars gettingr.ette te stop with - w-e start with the dopplerad w on the belfort furniturweather center, and unlike the ternoon and eveninghe, the rain is moving ir omhe east, pushing back to maybe a leftov

. >> a crowd also gathered in a field in shanksville, pennsylvania. that's where the fourth jet crashed. after heroic passenger es tried to take control from the terrorists. >> for that is what our loved ones displayed that day, courage in the face of overwelming odds. >> though time has passed, the wounds from 9/11 still linger and the nation is taking time t drew elevenson, cbs news, jersey city, new jersey. >> american troops in afghanistan, wore shorts and sneakers today. about 1,000 soldiers ran about 5 1/2 miles at the air force base. the event commemorated the attack anniversary and it remembered the troops who have died in nearly eight years of fighting in afghanistan. >> a military widow who sent six of her children into harm's way and lost two sons to the vietnam war got a lot of love from volunteers today. as part of president obama's call to service, on the 9/11 anniversary. our digital correspondent, armando trull reports from southeast washington. >> reporter: 74-year-old isabella knows what it is like to lose children to war. >> it was

. >> reporter: in shanksville, pennsylvania, people gathered to remember the valuable efforts of the passengers of united flight 93 and prevented the plane from being used to attack the white house or capital. >> the heros of flight 93 will live in our hearts and minds of the nation as a shining example of the greatness of a human spirit. >> reporter: at the pentagon, president obama commemorated september 11th for the first time as president. >> no turning of the seasons can diminish the pain and the loss of that day. no passage of time and no dark skies can ever dull the meaning of this moment. >> reporter: and here in baltimore, hundreds took to the streets in a run to remember. the 5 k race paid tribute to the victims of 9/11. >> if it's police and firemen in new york can stand it, then we can tand it too. this is a small donation to the city. >> reporter: kelly swoope, abc 2 news. >> and proceeds go to baltimore city and fire department. and there were many more ceremonies. a wreath was placed in the garden of hope and ribbons were tied on a tree. >> i lost my fiance in the plan

. >> two planes hit, two towers hit, and every name was read here and in shanksville, pa.,ç took onnd for the white house. >> we can never truly grasp of the emotions that must've gone through the hearts and mindsç f passengers andç crew as they realized the mortal danger they were in. >> at the white house today, and moment of silence before president obama laid a wreath on a ringçç -- a moment of silene before president obama laid a wreath. >> we will do everything in our power toçç keep america safe. >> he then went to work on what will now be known as a national day of service and remembrances. >> in a day of rebirth and renewal. and building up, to honor those unsuspecting victims who gave up their lives on a day america will never forget. ççtracie potts, wbal tv 11 ne. >> on this anniversary of 9/11, one soldier wounded received a gift of appreciationç forç his great sacrifice. today, he and his family were presented the key to the brand- new home. thanks to one organization, hamas forç our troops,ç the sergeant got the home -- palms for our troops. -- homes for ou

. >>> in shanksville pennsylvania, bells tolled as the names of the victims were read at the crash site. and president obama designated this a national day of service. they were doing some service today, the president helping to paint a living room right here in dc and other volunteers were pitching in to help a military width yo who widow who lost two sons in vietnam. >> it was very hard to lose your two children, the oldest and my baby. >> reporter: she is the widow of an army sergeant and desert storm veteran. >> this is my husband. robert. >> reporter: she understands the meaning of duty. >> very proud of her because with all the girls that we had she was the only one that stepped up. >> reporter: the meaning of community. >> every child that every came to this neighborhood always would come through an call her mom. >> reporter: on the 8th anniversary of 9/11 over 60 volunteers swarmed the southeast rowhouse where she had lived for 57 years. >> we are trying to be part of a bigger family helping the whole district of columbia. >> reporter: new appliances, carpets, bathrooms and even

bagpipes played and bells tolls. 40 people died at that crash site in shanksville, pennsylvania. remember, the hijackers crashed the plane as passengers tried to wrestle control of the cockpit. officials believe the flight may have been targeting the white house or even the capitol. >>> and tonight, at the site of the twin towers, the tribute in light returns as a commemoration of those who lost their lives on september 11th. the beams of light, which represent the towers, were tested last night in lower manhattan, they will be turned on again at sunset and left on until dawn tomorrow morning. we have much more commemorating the 9/11 anniversary on our website, msnbc.com and that includes this interactive hd view of the world trade center site. >>> chaos and confusion took over today in washington for a short time following a coast guard training exercise on the potomac river. >> that's right there were these initial media reports indicating that the coast guard had fired these ten rounds at this suspicious boat and that is was then seen circling in the water. what is more than t

flight number 93 near shanksville, pennsylvania is another step closer to becoming a permanent memorial. every year since that day families of the victims have gathered on the site to remember the loved ones. this year will be the last with the private memorials. the project is expected to cost $58 million and will cover 2200 ache whiz complete. they hope to have the first phase finished by the 10th anniversary of the attack. >> we are here to reflect and remember. but who among us can ever forget where we were, what we saw, how we felt as citizens, and as a nation. >> the president attended the ceremony the at pentagon where 184 people died. he honored the victims and after the ceremony he met with the family members. >>> and some of the family members spent their time outraged after the u.s. coast guard triggered a security scare. it was told that it was all just a drill. >> reporter: it's what the coast guard is calling a routine training exercise on the potomac river near washington. but it caused alarm near the bridge. the president was to attend a september 11th memorial service n

so is shanksville, p.a. and oklahoma city and sights of indian massacres.if there were no national parks, the grand canyon would be lined with the rich. zion and yosemite. if there were no national parks, yellowstone would geyser world. it's who we are that's at the heart of the national parks. >> ken burns story airs this friday on pbs. you can see more on nightly.msnbc.com. his name was timothy j. russert. the father of our late friend and colleague, tim russert died in buffalo, new york. he wrote a book about the relationship with his father who worked two jobs. a veteran of world war ii, big russ was 85 years old. >>> when we come back, young people helping their peers in a city far away. e you just struck and you know what? you did hit pay-dirt cause it's ford truck month. an' leading this herd is the ford f-150. it's not just a truck it's an f-150. and with great power comes great fuel economy. no wonder it was named 2009 motor trend truck of the year. now get 0 percent apr for 60 months or 45 hundred cash back on an 09 f-150. and ford credit is on bo

and in shanksville, pennsylvania, bagpipes, bells, and a memorial service for victims of united airlines flight 93. >>> fear of another terrorist attack on u.s. soil has fallen as 9/11 moves further into the past, and that's the headline in our latest cnn/opinion research poll. just over a third of americans surveyed now believe acts of terrorism are likely in the u.s. over the next few weeks. that's down 20 points from the fifth anniversary and more than 30 points from 2001. 63% of those polled are confident in the obama administration's ability to protect the u.s. from terrorism. 26% are not. >>> happening right now -- the cdc, the fda, and the national institutes of health are updating us on the h1n1 virus, better known as swine flu. the briefing comes on the heels of reports that the new swine flu vaccine may be strong enough to protect adults with just one shot. we're watching. if we get any new info, we'll let you know. >>> and it got president obama heckled in the big speech to congress this week, and it's keeping the so-called gang of six busy on capitol hill. cnn's brianna keila

the plane crashed in shanksville, pennsylvania, september 11th, believed when terrorists hijacked the flight they intended to crash the plane into the capitol. the plot was foiled when passengers on board rushed the cockpit. pelosi said those on board saved not only the lives of those in the capitol but saved a beacon of democracy. >>> friends, family and colleagues gathered today to remember tv news legend walter crofn kite -- cronkite. the pioneering anchorman of the "cbs evening news" from 1962 to 1981 died in july. president obama and former president clinton attended the memorial. clinton says cronkite was a profoundly good human being. >> but in a very tumult wow summer in our personal lives, 1998, we were in martha's vineyard, walter cronkite said i want you to go sailing with us. you and hillary and chelsea. we'll just go out and sail around. he said somebody might take a picture of it but so what. i'll never forget that. at the time i could have done with a picture of walter cronkite. >> he was 92 years old at the time of his death. >>> it's where bernard madoff broke down an

. >> reporter: in shanksville, pennsylvania, bells tolled for the victims who perished there and at both the white house and pentagon, president obama mourned with the country he now leads. >> on this solemn day at this sacred hour, once more we pause. once more we pray. as a nation and as a people. >> reporter: eight years later america continues to battle with those who attacked us. but osama bin laden has not been brought to justice and the u.s. death toll in afghanistan continues to rise. on capitol hill, there is mounting concern over increasing the american troop presence in afghanistan. >> we increase and accelerate dramatically our efforts to support the afghan security forces in their efforts to become self-sufficient before we can consider whether to increase u.s. combat forces. >> reporter: the september 11th memorial remains under construction but is expected to be partially finished and open in time for the 10th anniversary. lindsey davis, nbc news, new york. >>> the dream of owning a home came true today for an iraqi war veteran and his family. it was all thanks to the nonp

etographic past that says you know, we're a complicated country d by understandinall of that we so shanksvilsylvaa, where united 1993 went down is the site of a national park city. so is oklahoma city, theite of the greate domestic terrorist events. its a great system. i'll argue on that great idea. tavi so you have. the timing could not have en more proficiou i want to know how much u paid barack obama to to two parks this summer with his ks? i bumped into him before he went. he said 're going to the national par and i said i heard and we are so ve pleased and he had melia and sasha look at the films anthey are now coming juniorangers. existentlism. the purposfor a brief convsation between being and doing. the world so ma of us and particularly our chiren live in is neher. wenow about you know, nature deficit disorder. i lived in a subdivion growing up and would just pile out of e house at 8:00 a.m. come back for lunch ancome ba when the dinner call came. now everybody si in their room all day and te and do video mes and they can't stay out the facebook accnt. and we are starvedor that rela

n shanksville, pennsylvania, a crowd gathered in the field where construction is imminent on a memorialnor the heroic passengers and crew of united flight 93. >> to the families and friends of these heroes, you have our embrace, our compassion, our gratitude. >> couric: u.s. security forces of all kinds train continually for the possibility of a terror attack, even, it turns out, on the 9/11 anniversary. bob orr tells us a coast guard practice exercise in washington today caused quite a scare when a cable news network mistook it for the real thing. >> reporter: the president had just left 9/11 ceremonies at the pentagon, his motorcade crossing the potomac river as a coast guard security exercise unfolded on the water below. the drill involved coast guard fast boats patrolling a secure zone. >> people seem intent on trying to violate that zone. >> reporter: soon cnn was on the air, reporting the coast guard had intercepted a suspicious vessel. the cable network aired a radio transmission carrying an ominous warning from one of the patrol boats. cnn reported ten shots had been fired. othe

so is shanksville, p.a. and oklahoma city and sights of indian massacres. if there were no national parks, the grand canyon would be lined with mansions of the rich. zion and yosemite. two of the most beautiful places in the world would be gated communities. if there were no national parks, yellowstone would geyser world. it's who we are that's at the heart of the national parks. >> ken burns story airs this sunday through friday on pbs. you can see more on nightly.msnbc.com. >>> his name was timothy j. russert, but millions of americans knew him as big russ. the father of our late friend and colleague, tim russert died in buffalo, new york. in 2004, tim wrote a best selling book about his relationship with his father who worked two jobs driving trucks to support the family. a veteran of world war ii, big russ was 85 years old. >>> when we come back, young people helping their peers in a city far away. you did hit pay-dirt cause it's ford truck month. an' leading this herd is the ford f-150. it's not just a truck it's an f-150. and with great power comes gr

memorial events going on at ground zero here in new york city as well as events at the pentagon and in shanksville, pennsylvania. >>> also ahead this morning, that all-out search led by the fbi to find a missing yale medical student. >> that's right, 24-year-old annie lee was supposed to be married this coming sunday, but she hasn't been seen since a surveillance camera recorded her walking into a research lab on tuesday morning. police have questioned her fiance. they say there is not a worry about his involvement in this case. in fact, he is assisting in the search, and lee's friends fear this is not just a case of a runaway bride. we'll get the latest in just a couple of minutes. >>> and an unusual sight, at least 12 great white sharks have been spotted near popular beaches on cape cod, massachusetts. the largest weighing 2,000 pounds. we'll meet one of the sthss trying to track the sharks down in a bit. >>> also a story shaking up the world of track and field. a south african runner who's been tested to determine if she is, in fact, a woman. questions were raised after 18-year-old caster semen

ethnographic past that says you know, we're a complicated country and by understanding all of that we so shanksvillesylvania, where united 1993 went down is the site of a national park city. so is oklahoma city, the site of the greatest domestic terrorist events. it is a great system. i'll argue on that great idea. tavis: so you have. the timing could not have been more proficious. i want to know how much you paid barack obama to go to two parks this summer with his kids? >> i bumped into him before he went. he said we're going to the national parks and i said i heard and we are so very pleased and he had melia and sasha look at the films and they are now becoming junior rangers. existentialism. the purpose for a brief conversation between being and doing. the world so many of us and particularly our children live in is neither. we know about you know, nature deficit disorder. i lived in a subdivision growing up and i would just pile out of the house at 8:00 a.m. come back for lunch and come back when the dinner call came. now everybody sits in their room all day and text and do video games and they

. >> and in the small town of sh shanksville, pennsylvania.l toll to mark the moment that united flight 93 crashed into an open field killing everyone on board. many say the heroic action of those 40 passengers and crew prevented an attack on the u.s. capitol. >>> there were some tense moments on this anniversary of the terrorist attacks. several media outlet in washington, d.c. overheard chatter about the coast guard fired shots at a boat on the potomac river. happened near the time the president motorcade was to cross the river. turns out the whole they think was a training exercise. >>> rain didn't stop hundreds of ted indicated runners from hitting baltimore streets to honor september 11 in the annual run to remember. the eighth annual race took runners from the war memorial to federal hill. people ran for different reasons today. some to show support. others of course to remember. >> this one i'm doing in particular because i actually lost a loved one on this day. so i'm kind of doing it to remember my dad. so i come out here if it was ar

in shanksville, pennsylvania, 40 deaths. at the pentagon in arlington, virginia, 184 deaths.the world trade center in new york, 2,749 deaths. in the eight years since that gruesome day, there has been no repetition on u.s. soil of this kind of terrorist attack. former vice president dick cheney gives his reasoning for why this is so. >> the enhanced interrogation techniques were absolutely essential in saving thousands of american lives and ng further attacks against the united states. >> the bush administration personnel did use such enhanced techniques, including water boarding to gather invaluable intelligence, says dick cheney. from 9 disp 11, khalid sheikh mohammed and abu, who endured 266 walter boardings in one month. president obama has outlawed such e.i.t.s. >> first, i ban the use of so- called enhanced interrogation techniques. i know some have argued that brutal methods like water boarding were necessary to keep us safe. i could not disagree more. >> former vice president cheney is not persuaded and doubts president obama's understanding about what's at stake. >>

shepard: they gathered in shanksville, pennsylvania, to remember flight 93.ifer griffin is at the pentagon, rick leventhal is at ground zero. he was there that fateful morning and is here for us now. >> this has to be the worst weather we have ever experienced on 9/11 anniversary, and probably a big reason why crowds are much smaller this year at ground zero. i talked to family members who told me despite the weather they were determined to be here under any circumstances, and certainly there were volunteers here pairing up to read the names of the 2750 people who died at the world trade center on 9/11, 2001. family members were also allowed to take flowers and place them at in a reflecting pool -- placed them in a reflecting pool replace -- place them in a reflecting pool. it is set to open in the 2013. some of the more compelling moments of her when they read their own family members -- were when they read their own family members' names. >> we miss you. life will never be the same. this is not the rain. i am sorry. this is tears. >> a lot of tears falling

. >> reporter: in shanksville, pennsylvania, bells tolled at the crash site where 40 people died fighting hijackers on a fourth plane believed to be heading for washington. >> never forget what they did here as they struck the first blow in this battle against terrorism. >> reporter: a battle that continues as america remembers. at the pentagon, a new program started today. victims' families are training volunteers to lead tours at the pentagon memorial and explain to visitors what happened there. tracie potts, nbc news, washington. >>> for troops serving in iraq and afghanistan says marking today's anniversary helps remind them of the importance of the u.s. mission tll over people ar inme mb all o>>r people are remembering september 11th. the borden bell was tolled in washington's national cathedral at noon, one for each year since the attacks. there was also a noon prayer service in memory of the thousands of lives lost and those affected. as part of the national day of service, a number of students and medical reserve corps members were at the middle school today. eight years ago a tea

. >> ceremonies in shanksville pennsylvania and at the pentagon as the nation honors the people that died in the terrorist attacks. >> still you come up to this, and you think about what your life would have been like had the person lived. >> and here in maryland, one man looks back. at how his life changed eight years ago today. >> eight years ago on a crystal clear sunny september morning. everybody realized that life in the u.s. would never be the same. >> today americans all across the country pause to reflect and remember the worst act of terrorism ever to occur on u.s. soil. here in baltimore, one man takes it even more personal than some. tonight, he shares his pain eight years later. >>. >> john wesley remembers fiance sarah clark. >> as i go forward, there are so many things that you want to share with someone that is that close to you. that you cannot share. >> sarah, along with students and teachers, was on board american airlines flight 77 that crashed into the westside of the pentagon, eight years ago september 11th. >> you come up to this time, and you think about what

this morning from the white house to the pentagon to new york city and to shanksville, pennsylvania, they are remembering those that died that day and those that still suffer. good morning and welcome to "news4 midday." >> and i am eun yang in for barbara harrison today. we will have more on the 9/11 memorial. but first breaking news from the district. the coast guard is conducting training exercises on the potomac river. and it started while 9/11 services were under way at the pentagon. we have more on what is happening with pete. what happened this morning? >> there was a lot of confusion here. some news reports were out that shots had been fired on the potomac, but what we have been told by a coast guard official, that a radio call reported that shots had been fired and a suspicious boat was present. this was a madue up scenario, ad somebody heard the radio call, a citizen, and then they relayed that to the news. and now you are looking at coast guard helicopters flying in the area. coast guard boats have stepped up security that rises from time to time. it reached probably the mo