In a solemn conclusion to one of New York’s most emotional weeks since 9/11, President Barack Obama made a poignant visit to the city on Thursday, marking the death of the man who turned the World Trade Center into Ground Zero almost 10 years ago. In multiple stops culminating with a wreath-laying ceremony in the hallowed ground of the lost towers, and in the shadow of the rising new buildings, Obama offered tribute to the 9/11 dead, comforted their families, and saluted the first responders.
The visit, Obama’s first as president to Ground Zero, was an unexpected prelude to the anniversary events, a tour of Gotham no one could have imagined just last week.
Joined by Mayor Michael Bloomberg, Gov. Andrew Cuomo and other politicians, the president did not speak publicly, instead marking his more than three-hour tour with personal greetings and hugs.
Thanking heroes
Obama first visited the firehouse at Eighth Avenue and 48th street, nicknamed the “pride of Midtown,” which lost 15 firefighters on 9/11. About 20 firefighters applauded the president.
“Hey everybody, it’s good to be here,” said Obama, joined by former Mayor Rudy Giuliani.
The president told the company the Navy SEALs and CIA team that killed bin Laden early Monday “were doing it in the names of your brothers who were lost.”
The president then visited the NYPD’s 1st Precinct in TriBeCa, which was the first on scene during the 9/11 attacks.
“We’ve never forgotten the courage of the NYPD," he told the 30 officers and top cop Ray Kelly.
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