New York City released its plans Monday for the commemoration of the third anniversary of the Sept.11 terrorist attacks in 2001.

The observance will take place, as in the years past, at the World Trade Center site in the morning hours of Saturday, Sept. 11.Four moments of silence will be observed to mark the times each hijacked plane hit the towers, and the times each tower collapsed.

Victims' names will be read and family members will be allowed to descend to the lowest level of the site and remain there until 4 p.m. local time (2100 GMT), according to the plan.

Unlike the ceremony last year which focused on children who lost their loved ones, victims' parents and grandparents will playa major role by reading the names of the victims.

At sundown, the "Tribute in Light" will return to Lower Manhattan for one night in memory of those lost and as a symbol ofthe spirit of the community.

"We plan to mark this anniversary by asking parents and grandparents to take the lead in this year's ceremony, to acknowledge their great sacrifice and thank them for helping all of us to shoulder the loss, as our parents and grandparents are the foundation of our lives," said New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg.

New York State Governor George Pataki announced that a statewide moment of silence would be observed and bells be ringingat 8:46 a.m. local time (1346 GMT), "so that together all New Yorkers, as well as people from across the country and around the world can honor the memory of those who we lost and remember the spirit of freedom that prevailed on that day," he added.

Source: Xinhua