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Bay Area Remembers 9/11 With Moments Of Silence, Memorials

(CBS SF) -- Observances are being held Thursday morning at the sites where Americans were killed by 9/11 terrorist attacks 13 years ago.

Around the Bay Area, public transit and law enforcement joined in with their own memorials.

In San Francisco, fire stations paid tribute to 9/11 victims by rolling out apparatus at all 43 fire stations at 6:59 a.m., the time the south tower collapsed, ringing a bell and holding a moment of silence as the flag was lowered half-staff.

As the names of the 343 firefighters who died on 9/11 were read, 54 recruits stood at attention. Three weeks into their training, they'll graduate in early December.

"We're doing this ceremony at all of our 43 stations. We've done it that way every year," said San Francisco Fire Department Chief Joanne Hayes-White. "We do have a recruit class in this year, and it's really important for them to know how close the fire service is, how serious our work and mission is, and to incorporate them early into the fact of what their oath means."

San Francisco Fire Department Remembers Those Who Lost Their Life On 9/11

Hayes-White said while the department is well trained in urban firefighting and search and rescue for earthquakes, in the last decade, they had to add man-made threats like terrorist attacks and biological weapons to the curriculum.

Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority buses and light-rail trains stopped and paused at 5:46 a.m., the time the first plane struck the north tower of the World Trade Center in New York City that day.

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(CBS SF)

In Fremont, officers are pictured next to fire department's new 9/11 memorial which contains metal from the Twin Towers.

Firefighters in San Jose also rung a memorial bell at 5:46 a.m.

At West Valley College in Saratoga, two former students were remembered. Nicole Miller and Mark Bingham were on board hijacked Flight 93, which crashed in Shanksville, Pennsylvania.

"Mark teamed up with Todd Beamer, Tom Burnett, Jeremy Glick, Richard Guadagno and who knows who else to make an effective difference for the world that day," said Bingham's mother Alice Hoagland. "There was very little good news that came out of 9/11, but there was the news that one plane was diverted and failed to reach its hijacker's intended target."

West Valley College Remembers Two Former Students Who Were Aboard Hijacked Flight 93

Cathy Stefani, Nicole Miller's mother, was comforted by the big turnout Thursday. "I always appreciate that people 13 years later still will never forget," she said. "I'm always thankful for all the care still that people have for that day."

A moment of silence was observed and a tree was planted on campus in their memories.

President Obama addressed the nation Wednesday night, announcing plans for the country to go on the offensive against the militant group ISIS. He said the U.S. plans to go after these terrorists, wherever they may be.

"I know many Americans are concerned about these threats," Obama said. "Tonight I want you to know that the United States of America is meeting them with strength and resolve."

READ: Full Transcript Of President Obama's Address To The Nation On ISIS And Terrorist Threats -- September 10th, 2014

The president says American will lead a broad coalition to roll back the terrorist threat.

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