[ names read ] each person s read so none are ever forgotten. it is deeply emotional for many even those too young to remember. in all nearly 3,000 people lost their lives on 9/11. on saturday the president and first lady traveled to the three sights, new york, virginia and pennsylvania to pay their respects to the victims in each place. just one hijacked plane never reached its target that day. instead united flight 93 crashed into a field in shanksville, pennsylvania after passengers fought back and forced the plane to go down. paula reed id shows us how the n marked the somber anniversary. reporter: it has been a busy day here at the national memorial to flight 93 in shanksville. president biden was among the dignitaries coming today to pay
replaced by beams of white light. ceremonies were also held at the pentagon and in pennsylvania, all attended by the president and first lady. we begin our coverage with arlette saenz at the white house. reporter: president biden visited all three sites of the september 11th 2001 terror attacks. he started his day in new york city at ground zero where he was accompanied by former president barack obama and former president bill clinton. they stood as each of the names were read. the president also stopped in shanksville, pennsylvania to lay a wreath at the site where flight 93 crashed into that rural field after passengers overtook the hijackers who had hoped to land that plane in the capital, instead it crashed and killed those on board in pennsylvania 20 years ago.
foul spirit and it is our continuing duty to confront them. reporter: vice president kamala harris in her remarks also touched on the theme of uni unity. following the memorial ceremony, there was a ceremonial gate that was opened to allow family members and friends of those who were lost to visit the crash site. it is really significant because it has been those family members and friends who have been lobbying to get this memorial wilt. s built. some believe that it doesn t get as much attention as the events in lower mountaianhattan or the bega pent gone and they wanted a permanent tribute. and while this morning was just open to friends z and family, this site is now once again open to the public for anyone who wants to come and learn more about what happened on board flight 93. paula reid, shanksville,
people affected by this, it brings back the moment you got the phone call, the brings back the instant you got the news no matter how many years go by. reporter: he followed former president bush acknowledging the heroes of 9/11 in his keynote address at flight 93 memorial. these americans were brave, strong and you united in ways that shocked the terrorists. this is the nation we know. reporter: also in shanksville, vice president kamala harris remembered the resilience of the 40 passengers of flight 93. the most dire of circumstances, the 40 spend responded as one. they fought for their own lives, to save the lives of countless others. reporter: president biden ended the day by laying a wreath at the pentagon crash site. as the 9/11 tribute in light shined through the new york city
the fallen. remember them today for not only who they were but what they could have become. reporter: in shanksville, pennsylvania, where the fourth hijacked jetliner crashed after passengers fought for control of the plane, former president george w. bush implored americans to fight extremists at home and abroad. we have seen growing evidence that the dangers to our country ca come not only across borders but from violence that gathers within. they are children of the same foul spirit, and it is our continuing duty to confront them. reporter: first responders paid a heavy price. retired new york city firefighter kevin kelly lost several friends and colleagues on 9/11. it s easy for somebody who wasn t down there, who didn t experience it to just remember it one day a year. for me, it s every day. reporter: and every day we also remember the thousands of