11th Anniversary of 9/11 More Subdued

NEW YORK (AP) — Americans are pausing once again to mark the anniversary of the Sept. 11 terror attacks, but this year's ceremonies are more low-key than the previous 10.

Relatives of victims have gathered once again for the reading of names at the World Trade Center site. Bagpipes played at the Sept. 11 memorial, which opened a year ago. Family members holding balloons, flowers and photos of their loved ones bowed their heads in silence at 8:46 a.m., the moment the first hijacked jetliner crashed into the north tower, and again to mark the other three crashes from that day.

But for the first time, no elected officials were speaking at the New York ceremony.

A woman whose husband died in the World Trade Center says she feels "much more relaxed" this year, without the "pressure" of last year's 10th anniversary.

President Barack Obama and first lady Michelle Obama joined staff in observing a moment of silence at the White House, laid a wreath at the Pentagon and visited Arlington National Cemetery. They also plan to meet with wounded soldiers at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center

Vice President Joe Biden flew to Pennsylvania to deliver remarks at the spot where Flight 93 went down.