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Gold9472
07-12-2006, 11:40 PM
Spouses, partners of 9/11 victims to recite names

http://www.usatoday.com/news/nation/2006-07-12-sept11-anniversary_x.htm

By Todd Pitt
Updated 7/12/2006 10:51 PM ET

NEW YORK (AP) — People who lost husbands, wives or partners in the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks will recite their loved ones' names at the World Trade Center site this year on the fifth anniversary of 9/11.

Each year, the names of the Trade Center victims have been read by a different group. In 2002, politicians, dignitaries and some relatives recited the 2,749 names. The list was read by victims' children in 2003, parents and grandparents in 2004, and siblings last year.

Following tradition, the fifth anniversary ceremony will begin with a moment of silence at 8:46 a.m. ET, the minute the first jet hit the north tower, and will pause for the moments the second jet hit the south tower and each tower collapsed.

Organizers confirmed Wednesday that the city recently sent letters to victims' loved ones, seeking readers for the event at Ground Zero on Sept. 11.

"As the fifth anniversary approaches, we offer our prayers and sympathies," begins the letter, signed by Mayor Michael Bloomberg and Gov. George Pataki.

Charles Wolf, whose wife, Katherine, died in the attacks, said he planned to submit a request to be a reader.

"For me, it would be an honor to read her name," he said. "The event tends to wash over the individual people that were lost, and by reading their names, this is a way of remembering there were this many individual souls that left the earth."

A number of families have made it a tradition to attend the 9/11 anniversary commemoration every year, some have gone just once, and others have avoided the emotional gathering.

Karen Carlucci, who was engaged to marry Peter Frank on Oct. 19, 2001, said she plans to be out of town for the fifth anniversary but is pleased that significant others are being considered.

Many people in her position — not legally married to those who died, but devastated by the loss — have felt cast aside in certain ways since the attacks.

"Being a significant other, you're sometimes in a gray area," she said. "It's nice, and appreciated, that they would include us with the spouses."

The city will conclude the day of remembrance with the return of the "Tribute in Light," two powerful beams of light representing the fallen buildings.