Day of mourning becomes day of service

NEW YORK (AP) - Drawing on the spirit that spurred volunteers to rush to the burning World Trade Center on Sept. 11, 2001, Americans are looking for ways to help each other on a day better known for mourning those killed in the nation's worst terrorist attack.

Teresa Mathai's husband died at the World Trade Center eight years ago Friday. She plans to grieve at a Boston ceremony and hear his name read aloud. Then she'll install drywall at a low-income home with Habitat for Humanity.

The volunteer effort is one of thousands planned since Sept. 11 was declared a national day of service.

Some victims' relatives fear the volunteerism will overshadow a somber day to remember the nearly 3,000 people killed when hijacked jetliners crashed into the twin towers, the Pentagon and a Pennsylvania field.

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Associated Press writers Nancy Benac in Washington and Dan Nephin in Pittsburgh contributed to this report.