Family members, politicians gather at dual 9/11 memorial services for 19th anniversary of World Trade Center terrorist attack

The sad sound of bagpipes and the names of the 9/11 dead echoed once more Friday across Ground Zero as still-mourning families and colleagues marked the 19th anniversary of the 2001 terrorist attack at the World Trade Center.

The grim annual remembrance of the terrorist carnage on a sun-splashed September morning began at 8:40 a.m. at the 9/11 Memorial Plaza, where thousands of relatives and guests were asked to socially distance across its eight acres. Most in the crowd wore face masks as they gathered in Lower Manhattan for the annual remembrance.

But this year’s event, at a time where the nation struggles with the pandemic and a wide political divide, arrived with its own split.

A second memorial was held nearby, with the names of the 9/11 victims read aloud by participants after organizers of the official event opted to use a recorded recitation due to concerns about coronavirus.

Joining the usual local dignitaries at the somber Ground Zero service were Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden and his wife Jill, along with Vice President Mike Pence and his wife Karen. Gov. Cuomo, New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy, Rep. Chuck Schumer, former mayor Mike Bloomberg and Mayor de Blasio were also in attendance.

“I’m not gonna make any news today,” Biden told reporters. “I’m not going to talk about anything other than 9/11 … It’s a solemn day. That’s how we’re going to keep it.”

Cuomo approached family members to offer his condolences through a fence: “I’m sorry. I’m sorry for your loss.” Biden addressed a 90-year old woman sitting in a wheelchair while clutching a photo of her 9/11 victim son.

“It never goes away,” said Biden after taking the photo for a closer look, with the woman repeating his words.

Biden was due to visit Shanskville, Pa., and the Flight 93 National Memorial later Friday.

President Trump hailed the heroes of 9/11 at the annual Pennsylvania service, which honors the 40 people on the flight who gave their lives thwarting an attack by the hijackers on the U.S. Capitol.

“They did the most American of things: They took a vote and then acted,” said Trump. “In their last act … they died as true heroes. Their momentous deeds will outlive us all.”

Unlike past years at Ground Zero, there was no live reading of the 2,983 names of those victims killed when the World Trade Center collapsed on Sept. 11, 2001, when the Pentagon was attacked and Flight 93 crashed after passengers fought back against their hijackers.

The FDNY, after losing 343 members in the terrorist attack, recommended its workers avoid this year’s events due to coronavirus concerns.

The pre-recorded names of the victims still echoed through Lower Manhattan against a mournful musical backdrop, including a performance of “Amazing Grace.”

But the choice to bar a live reading of the names — always an emotional part of the annual service — prompted the creation of a second memorial by the Stephen Siller Tunnel to Towers Foundation.

Vice President Pence and his wife visited the second Manhattan service, a few blocks away from Ground Zero, and read Bible passages at a podium.

Karen Swift, whose brother Thomas was killed while working at Morgan Stanley in the south tower, also opted to attend the second event where names were read aloud.

“We still have to remember,” said Swift, who wore a T-shirt honoring her brother. “The whole country’s going downhill. It’s one thing after another, and now with the COVID. I’m glad they’re still having this, though.”

The Ground Zero ceremony began with an honor guard of FDNY, NYPD and Port Authority police carrying American flags, with bagpipers representing the three agencies marching behind.

Moments of silence were observed at 8:46 a.m. and 9:03 a.m., the times when the two hijacked planes slammed into the twin 110-story towers, and again at 9:59 a.m. for the collapse of the south tower.