President, First Lady Remember Sept. 11 Terror Attacks on White House's South Lawn

Visitors look out onto a pool in the National September 11 Memorial during the first day of unfettered public access to the site in New York May 21, 2014. | (Photo: Reuters/Lucas Jackson)

Members of the Obama administration, including the president, first lady, and vice president, gathered in front of the White House on Friday to honor those who died 14 years ago in the September 11, 2001 terror attacks on the World Trade Center in New York City.

The president, Michelle Obama, and members of the White House staff gathered on the south lawn at 8:46 a.m. for a moment of silence to remember when the first plane struck the Twin Towers in New York City.

According to USA Today, the president will travel to Fort Meade in Maryland to meet with local military service members later today. 

"The President looks forward to having a conversation with the patriotic men and women who work every day to keep America safe and to honor the sacrifices of our troops and their families," the White House schedule read.

"The President very much values face time with troops -- listening, asking and answering questions, and he looks forward to taking time on the anniversary of 9/11 to engage directly with service members," Pentagon spokesman Peter Cook added.

A crowd of people also gathered at the site of the terror attack in the financial district of New York City to pay their respects, according to the Associated Press.

Although the crowd reportedly gets smaller every year, Tom Acquaviva, who lost his son Paul when the north tower went down, said he plans to keep coming every year to honor his fallen child.

"We come every year. The crowds get smaller, but we want to be here. As long as I'm breathing, I'll be here," Acquaviva said.