(States Twitter)-President Obama punctuated his success in bringing to justice Osama bin Laden on Thursday with a visit to those on the front line of the 9/11 attack — families and colleagues of those killed at the site .
Obama administration said Wednesday it will not make public the images of the dead Al Qaeda chief, arguing the pictures could incite violence and be used as propaganda by terrorist leaders. White House officials also say DNA evidence confirming the body as Bin Laden’s provides sufficient proof of his death.
Under sunny skies, multiple construction cranes, and the unfinished bulk of the first tower to rise at Ground Zero, Obama laid a wreath at the emerging 9/11 memorial in a solemn ceremony. He placed the flowers in front of a tree that survived the attack and then turned to hug Payton Hall, 14, who was standing with her friend, Madison Robertson, 14.
The wreath laying site is between two reflecting pools that mark the footprints of the destroyed towers. The tree was found growing on the site after the collapse and is called the Survivor Tree. It was taken away from the site, nursed back to health and returned this year.
Obama invited Bush to join him Thursday, but the former president declined.
"The ceremony will provide some closure to a horrific event," said Harold Schaitberger, president of the International Association of Firefighters, who was invited by the White House to attend Obama's Ground Zero event.
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