Bush to take part in events commemorating terror attacks

ABOARD AIR FORCE ONE -- President Bush will attend a prayer service of remembrance and observe a moment of silence to mark the second anniversary of the terrorist attack of Sept. 11, 2001.

While Bush will be in Washington, Vice President Dick Cheney will attend a memorial service at Ground Zero in New York City and Secretary of Defense Donald H. Rumsfeld will take part in a wreath laying ceremony at Arlington National Cemetery.

Interior Secretary Gale Norton will attend a ceremony at Shanksville, Pa., the site where one of the four terrorist-hijacked planes crashed.

"September 11 is a somber day for remembrance, reflection and prayer," said presidential spokesman Scott McClellan. He said it also was an occasion for the nation to reaffirm its commitment and resolve in the war against terrorism.

Next Wednesday, on the eve of the anniversary, Bush will have a dinner at the White House and a screening of "Twin Towers," an Academy Award-winning documentary of the attacks on the World Trade Center towers. The following day he will attend a prayer service at St. John's Episcopal Church at Lafayette Square, which is frequently attended by presidents. He will be accompanied by the first lady.

Then the president, his wife, Laura, and members of his staff will gather on the South Lawn to observe a moment of silence at 8:46 a.m., the moment when the first plane hit the World Trade Center.

In the afternoon, Bush will go to Walter Reed Army Medical Center, in Washington, to meet with troops wounded in Iraq.

Bush signed two proclamations Thursday, one of which designated Sept. 11 as a national day of prayer and remembrance. The second designated the day as Patriot Day.

They call on Americans to hold candlelight vigils and prayer services to mark the day and direct governors to fly the flag at half-staff in honor of the victims of the terrorist attack.