NEW YORK — Families carrying photos of lost loved ones streamed into a plaza near "ground zero" in New York on today to observe the eighth anniversary of the World Trade Center attack, many standing tearfully through moments of silence in honor of those who died.

Thousands were expected at now-familiar ceremonies in New York, at the Pentagon and at the crash site of United Airlines Flight 93 in Shanksville, Pennsylvania.

In New York, a smaller-than-usual crowd of just hundreds gathered in rainy, windy weather to observe the anniversary of the worst attacks in the nation's history. Families used rain jackets and umbrellas to fend off the downpour as bells tolled at nearby Trinity Church.

"It doesn't matter what kind of weather there is. I would be here either way. It's a way to come together and find a common place," said Elaine Dejesus of Clifton, New Jersey. She carried a framed photo of Nereida Dejesus, who was her sister and best friend.

Drawing on the spirit that spurred volunteers to rush to the burning towers on Sept. 11, 2001, Americans looked for ways to help each other on a day better known for mourning the thousands of people killed in the nation's worst terrorist attack.

Teresa Mathai, whose husband, Joseph Mathai, died at the World Trade Center, planned to grieve at a morning wreath-laying ceremony in Boston and hear his name read out loud. Then she planned to install drywall at a home in south Boston with Habitat for Humanity, one of thousands of volunteer efforts planned since Sept. 11 was declared a national day of service.