9/11 anniversary ceremony: Live updates from the World Trade Center Memorial in New York ~ bophansaekhgnum

As the sun rises in New York, mothers, fathers and children have filtered into the site where the World Trade Center once stood, pausing and reflecting on the decade since the worst terror attack on American soil, flew into the side of the Pentagon and crashed a plane in Pennsylvania.

At the ceremony today, moments of silence will be held to mourn those who perished as each of the planes crashed and the two towers went down, while President Barack Obama and his predecessor George W. Bush will deliver readings and the names of the 2,753 who died will be read aloud.

While New York will form the focus of the events, respects will be paid throughout the country, with events at the Pentagon and in Pennsylvania also poignantly marking the passing of innocent Americans 10 years ago.
8:34am: A long line of bagpipers begin their precession around the memorial, with a marching band behind them.

8:12am: The president and first lady, along with President Bush and his wife Laura, greet family members and some elected officials, including former New York City Mayor Rudolph Giuliani, who have gathered at the memorial.

8:10am: President Obama and the first lady are joined by Former President Bush and his wife Laura as they pause and observe a moment of silence at the memorial.
8:08am: People are commenting on the weather. Not a cloud in the sky, just like 10 years ago.

Presidential visit: From left, Laura Bush, former President George W. Bush, Michelle Obama and President Barack Obama walk together to pay their respects at the 9/11 Memorial

Sombre greeting: President Obama is joined by former President George W. Bush and his wife Laura as they speak with family members at the 9/11 Memorial

8:06am: President Obama and Michelle Obama have arrived at the World Trade Center site. They will be taking a tour of the memorial before he speaks

8:02am: One father holds up a damning message for former President Bush. 'My son was killed by 9/11 terrorist attacks. Children in Iraq and Afghanistan still suffer. What is the justice?'

7:59am: Anticipation grows as families wait for the ceremony dedicated to the memory of their loved ones to begin.
7:55am: Estimates suggest that as many as 8,000 family members have turned up at the memorial this morning.

7:47am: Sun in now shining on Ground Zero. Many say the weather is the same, but a little cooler than on this day 10 years ago.

7:28am: One child holds up a sign with a series of images of his father. The pictures spell out: 'I love you daddy.'

Emotional moment: Robert Peraza, who lost his son Robert David Peraza, pauses at his son's name at the North Pool of the 9/11 Memorial during the 10th anniversary ceremonies at the World Trade Center site

7:26am: Children hold up pictures of their lost parents who look just like them.

7:17am: The mood is sombre and muted. Many family members are standing quietly as they wait for the ceremony to start.
7:15am: Joseph Visciano's family members, wearing t-shirts and signs with his picture, wipe tears away as they talk about their loss.
7:12am: Officers hold up the American flag as morning sun lights up the families' tribute signs.

6:50am: Many of the families have arrived with signs carrying their loved ones' names and pictures. Dolores and Rachel White, from New Jersey, held up a tribute to Dolores' brother and Rachel's nephew, James Patrick White.Elba Cedeno, meanwhile, raised an emotional tribute to her former partner, Cathy Smith.
6:42am: The sun rises behind One World Trade Center as families filter in and officials prepare the stage for the readings. Men in military uniform are seen vacuuming the stage.