NATION HONORS

September 11, 2006 -- President Bush vowed renewed resolve in the war on terror after he and his wife, Laura, solemnly placed wreaths at Ground Zero yesterday - as the city and nation prepared to mark today's somber fifth anniversary of 9/11 with poignant tributes to the thousands lost.

To the strains of bagpipes, the Bushes set floral wreaths adrift in reflecting pools that mark the locations of the north and south towers of the World Trade Center.

They spoke no words at the ceremony, walking hand-in-hand on the floor of the huge pit after a slow procession down the long, flag-lined ramp from the street.

Afterward, the Bushes attended a memorial service at nearby St. Paul's Chapel, a 240-year-old Episcopal church that became a center for weary rescuers in the days after Sept. 11.

Then they stopped by Engine 10, a rebuilt firehouse, to greet the firefighters who lost five brethren on 9/11, and toured the visitor center next door.

At the center, the visibly moved president seemed especially interested in a display containing the helmet and uniform of a fallen firefighter from Engine 10.

"Laura and I approach tomorrow with heavy hearts. It's hard not to think about people who lost their lives," Bush said afterward.

"[Today] is a day of sadness for a lot of people. It's also a day of remembrance. I vowed that I'm never going to forget the lessons of that day."

The exhibits in the center, he said, "reminded me that there's still an enemy out there that would like to inflict the same kind of pain on us again. So [today] is also a day of renewing resolve."

The wreath-laying took place as New Yorkers braced for 9/11's grim anniversary with tears, prayers and tributes.

"To religious fanatics hellbent on killing those who worship diversity, to fundamentalist zealots committed so fervently to hatred, oppression and tyranny, American freedom represents the ultimate threat," Gov. Pataki said.

Accompanying the Bushes at Ground Zero were Pataki, Mayor Bloomberg and former Mayor Rudy Giuliani, who received roaring cheers as he left the chapel. Also at the Bushes' side was Marine Maj. Mark Thompson, a military aide who helped them lay the wreaths.

In St. Paul's, Bush sat next to Jeanette Vigiano, who lost two sons in the attacks - Joe, a cop, and John, a firefighter.

He gave her a brief kiss and held her hand during the service, ceding the front aisle seat that normally would have been reserved for him to her husband, retired FDNY Capt. John Vigiano.

Sitting next to Laura Bush was retired firefighter Bob Beckwith and his wife, Barbara. Beckwith had stood on the pile of rubble with Bush during his first Ground Zero visit.

On their way in, Bush and his wife also personally greeted Arlene Howard, the mother of 9/11 victim George Howard, a New York Port Authority cop, with a kiss on the cheek. The mom had given Bush her son's badge when the pair met in 2001, and the president said he keeps it as a constant reminder of the attacks.

Later, during his impromptu visit at Engine 10, Bush shook hands with firefighters.

"He said we will never forget and we still have a job to do in Iraq," said Lt. Anthony Matteo, 40.

Today, the president is scheduled to have breakfast with firefighters and cops at a Lower East Side firehouse.

Then, he is set to travel to Shanksville, Pa., and the Pentagon - where others died in 9/11 plane attacks - before addressing the American people tonight.