US President Donald Trump struck a somber tone on the 19th anniversary of the 9/11 terror attacks as his Democratic rival Joe Biden comforted relatives of victims, in duelling bids to unite a deeply-divided nation.
Nineteen years after the devastating terror attacks, former vice president Biden began the day in New York for an annual event honouring the nearly 3,000 who died in the destruction of the World Trade Centre.
Mr Trump did not attend the ceremony in his home city, sending Mike Pence instead. Mr Biden and the vice president tapped elbows and chatted briefly.
The Republican president instead travelled to Shanksville, Pennsylvania, the third site where planes crashed on 11 September 2001.
Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden (L) and US Vice President Mike Pence (R) greet each other during a 9/11 memorial service. Source: Getty Images
The president and First Lady Melania Trump listened in silence as the names of the 40 passengers and crew killed aboard Flight 93 were read aloud - with two bells tolling after each.
In brief prepared remarks, the incumbent - who is hoping to defeat Mr Biden and win a second term - paid "tribute to their sacrifice" along with all those who perished in the attacks.
He also honoured first responders as well as military personnel who fought to "preserve our freedom" in the subsequent wars launched under former President George W. Bush.
"We resolve to stand united as one American nation, to defend our freedoms, to uphold our values, to love our neighbors, to cherish our country.... and to never, ever forget," Mr Trump said.
It was a rare call for unity from a leader who normally plays political divisions to his advantage.
Mr Biden also travelled to Shanksville but there was no chance of the rivals crossing paths, as Mr Trump left well before the Democratic candidate and his wife Jill arrived.
President Trump and First Lady Melania Trump arrive at the Flight 93 National Memorial in Shanksville. Source: Getty Images North America
As a few hundred spectators watched from the Flight 93 national memorial park, Mr Biden laid a wreath of white flowers at the stone bearing the victims' names.
He and Jill again spoke with families, later meeting with local firefighters to whom the couple brought sweets and beer.
Biden connects with relatives
At his first stop in New York, Mr Biden did not deliver a speech - the ceremony generally reserves that privilege to the close ones of victims - but his mere presence drew attention at an event broadcast live on main US television networks.
The ceremony was as usual punctuated by poignant moments of silence, the first one coming at 8:46 am (local time), when the first plane hit one of the Twin Towers.
At one point, Mr Biden sought common ground with a 90-year-old woman whose son died at age 43 in the attacks, reflecting on the loss of his own son Beau to cancer.
"It never goes away," the pair told each other.
'Obvious calculations'
In addition to stopping by the official Ground Zero museum ceremony, Mr Pence attended another nearby foundation-organised commemoration where some 100 relatives gathered to read the names of love ones they lost.
The vice president delivered a brief address and his wife read a verse from the Bible.
None of the appearances featured prominent political showmanship, though the ceremonies were closely followed by the media and gave the candidates what political scientist Robert Shapiro dubbed a chance to "show their leadership and empathy".
The choice of Mr Trump and Mr Biden to both head to Pennsylvania, a vital election battleground state, illustrates the "obvious calculations" their advisors have made, the Columbia University scholar said.
Long a Democratic stronghold and Mr Biden's native state, Pennsylvania swung narrowly to Mr Trump in the 2016 election, helping him secure victory over Democrat Hillary Clinton.
Polls show Mr Trump and Mr Biden nearly even in Pennsylvania, and Democrats hope to win the state back in the 3 November vote.
