We will always remember

September 11, 2012

The memorial for the 11th anniversary of the terror attacks smaller and scaled back this year, but just as powerful as ever.

It was a time, again, to honor those who were killed on Sept. 11 but perhaps equally as important, and to quote ABC President Anne Sweeney, to remember that before they were victims, they were mothers and fathers, husbands and wives, children and friends.

And the reading of the names, once again, bringing to life those who were killed by the people who miss them the most. The parents, and spouses and children of the people who were killed. They weren't lost, as so many people like to say.

We lose keys, or sunglasses, or cell phones. We didn't lose those people at Ground Zero on Sept. 11. They were killed, murdered by people with a hate that is hard to comprehend.

I started crying fairly early on, although I don't remember whether it was for the young boy who was reading his father's name, or the father who was reading his son's.

Tonight at 11, with the Tribute In Lights still blazing, we'll recap another emotional Sept. 11 remembrance.

Also at 11, there's an arsonist on the loose in Hamilton Heights in upper Manhattan and now cops are trying to find him (it's almost always a "him") before he strikes again. Fifteen cars were torched overnight across several blocks.

And no small amount of chatter today about Adnan Latif. You've probably never heard of him, no reason you should. He died at the prison at Guantanamo Bay the prison where the federal government can hold suspected terrorists without charges and without trials.

I suppose on this Sept. 11 most people would say something like, hey, if they're terrorists, then different rules apply, and hold them.

But they're suspected terrorists, not convicted of anything, yet. So why not try them and find out? The Center for Constitutional Rights is asking that question tonight, after Latif became the ninth man to die since the prison opened – the fourth during Pres. Obama's tenure.

We'll also have any breaking news of the night, plus Meteorologist Lee Goldberg with his AccuWeather forecast, and Rob Powers with the night's sports. I hope you can join Sade Baderinwa and me, tonight at 11.

BILL RITTER

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