America Marks a Grim Anniversary

"I watched the building burn for a while, and then I knew my mother was gone," Cuyler said yesterday, her eyes softening. "In a way, she's still here."

Surrounded by family members, Cuyler returned to the spot yesterday where her mother, Ada M. Davis, 57, was working as an accountant for the Army five years ago when Flight 77 rammed through the Pentagon's E-ring at 9:37 a.m. For Cuyler, of Upper Marlboro, the wars and the U.S. troops dying overseas are a continual reminder of that personal horror.

"I haven't healed because I live it every day," she said. "There is no closure."

Beneath ominously dark clouds and a sporadic spitting rain outside the Pentagon yesterday, Cuyler and more than 500 family members and friends of the 184 victims joined in solemn remembrance. They waved small American flags and saluted the same enormous Stars and Stripes that draped the Pentagon in the days after the attack.

Songs such as "Battle Hymn of the Republic" streamed through the morning mist, while America's top military leaders spoke of the great sacrifices members of the military made on Sept. 11, as well as the sacrifices they are now making. Cheney, Pace and Defense Secretary Donald H. Rumsfeld said the attacks marked the surprise beginning of a now-global struggle.

The moment appeared to affect Rumsfeld, who struggled briefly through his opening words before speaking about the need to aggressively go after the terrorists who celebrated while America mourned the victims five years ago.

"The highest tribute we can pay to them is to commit ourselves to doing everything possible to fight the extremists wherever they are, to making every effort to stay united as a country, and to give our truly outstanding men and women in uniform all that they need to succeed," Rumsfeld said, a sling holding his left arm in place after surgery last week.

In a brief afternoon visit, Bush and the first lady placed a wreath at the spot where the plane hit the Pentagon, standing for a moment of silence before a five-piece band played a soft version of "America the Beautiful." Several senior senators and White House officials joined about 225 family members representing 56 victims. Bush then spent about 15 minutes shaking hands and sharing hugs, at one point wiping tears from his eyes.

Joyce Johnson's eyes began to water as she talked about her husband, Army Lt. Col. Dennis M. Johnson, who five years ago died just a few feet from where she was standing.

Walking away from the afternoon ceremony, five years of memories flooding back to her, Johnson praised Bush for his dedication to the victims: "Just for him to take the time to go to all three places means more than anything."

Shanksville

Just a few miles down the road from a field shrouded with memories and mementos, Oleg Kis stood in his hotel trying to decide whether to wear the suit jacket and tie or the black T-shirt folded on his bed.

"This may be too provocative," said the soft-spoken Kis, 49, holding the T-shirt out in front of him, the words "Face the Facts" emblazoned on the front. In one corner of the room, boxes brimmed with thousands of fliers. In another reclined a placard splashed with the words "Stop 9-11 Cover-Up."