A couple of thousand people, some wiping away tears, have gathered for the World Trade Center anniversary ceremony.

The ceremony Thursday began with the national anthem.

A team of fire, police and Port Authority officers held a giant American flag behind the singer.

The bell was rung at 8:46 a.m. to mark the moment the first plane struck. A moment of silence followed.

Some of the people at the ceremony had the names and photos of lost loved ones on shirts and signs.

(AP)