video transcript

ROUGH CUT (NO REPORTER NARRATION) STORY: U.S. President Barack Obama and Michelle Obama observed a moment of silence at the White House Tuesday to observe the 11th anniversary of the September 11, 2001 attacks. Surrounded by White House staff, the Obamas walked from the White House onto the South Lawn where they observed silence as first a bell tolled, and then a military trumpeter played "Taps". The ceremony was observed at 0846EDT (1246GMT), the time when the first airplane hit the World Trade Center. Memorial ceremonies are also scheduled in New York, Pennsylvania and at the Pentagon - the sites of the attacks. Like so many of the previous anniversary dates, this year's ceremonies promise to unfold beneath blue skies and cool, early fall temperatures, conditions reminiscent of those on the morning of the 2001 attacks that claimed nearly 3,000 lives at the three sites.