Coronavirus Pandemic Alters 9/11 Tribute Traditions for Americans

Biden spoke at the memorial’s dedication in 2011 when he was vice president.

The ground zero ceremony in New York has a longstanding custom of not allowing politicians to speak, though they can attend.

Biden did so as Vice President in 2010, and Trump as a candidate in 2016.

Though the candidates will be focused on the commemorations, the political significance of their focus on Shanksville is hard to ignore: Pennsylvania is a must-win state for both.

Trump won it by less than a percentage point in 2016.

Around the country, some communities have canceled September 11 commemorations because of the pandemic, while others are going ahead, sometimes with modifications.

Read also: Trump Admitted Playing Down Covid-19 Danger in Bob Woodward Recordings

The New York memorial is changing one of its ceremony's central traditions: having relatives read the names of the dead, often adding poignant tributes. Thousands of family members are still invited.

But they'll hear a recording of the names from speakers spread around the vast plaza, a plan that memorial leaders felt would avoid close contact at a stage but still allow families to remember their loved ones at the place where they died.

But some victims' relatives felt the change robbed the observance of its emotional impact.

A different 9/11-related group, the Stephen Siller Tunnel to Towers Foundation, set up its own, simultaneous ceremony a few blocks away, saying there's no reason that people can't recite names while keeping a safe distance.

The two organizations also tussled over the Tribute in Light, a pair of powerful beams that shine into the night sky near the trade center and evoke its fallen twin towers.

The September 11 memorial initially canceled the display, citing virus-safety concerns for the installation crew.

After the Tunnel to Towers Foundation vowed to put up the lights instead, the memorial changed course with help from its chairman, former Mayor Mike Bloomberg, and Gov. Andrew Cuomo.

Tunnel to Towers, meanwhile, arranged to display single beams for the first time at the Shanksville memorial and the Pentagon.

Over the years, the anniversary also has become a day for volunteering.

Because of the pandemic, the 9/11 National Day of Service and Remembrance organization is encouraging people this year to make donations or take other actions that can be accomplished at home. 

(Writer: Jennifer Peltz) 

Source: https://apnews.com/345f9f209df2205633f00078e23e88d7