“We must never forget Patriot Day.”
At 8:46 a.m., two Boeing 767 planes headed into the World Trade Centers in New York City, Sept. 11, 2001. Killing almost 3,000 people, this event changed not only individuals, but the course of America’s history.
The attack was headed by an Islamic terrorist group called Al Qaeda, who smuggled weapons onto the United Airlines planes. After both of the Twin Towers fell, thousands of first responders and firefighters came to the scene, risking their lives to rescue civilians inside the building.
A few months after the largest terrorist attack in American history, former CEO of Pelco, David McDonald, flew hundreds of surviving NYC firefighters out to Clovis to honor their sacrifice with a ceremony at Pelco by Schneider Electric. This Clovis memorial still continues, 17 years after the attack on New York City.
“I think that we must honor all of our men and women in uniform who risk their lives every day protecting the rest of us,” McDonald said. “This ceremony is the grandfather of them all and has the most participation with the armed services because of the original dedication in 2001. This will be my last year hosting the ceremony, but the company has done a good job since I left Pelco to continue to expand the memorial and I think they will continue to do an amazing job to honor our veterans. ”
The ceremony began at the exact time of the strike on the towers, with original recordings from the day of the attack. Local police officers and servicemen stood at attention to honor the lives lost on that fatal day.
As tragic as 9/11 was, it was also a crucible that brought the nation together. Today there is such a political divide and it is important to remember that on this day the true side of American character was shown. People put their divisions aside and saw past status to their fellow countrymen. Compassion, love, and self-sacrifice was seen all over the country on September 11th in Americans supporting their countrymen. – Lorenzo Rios, Chief Executive Officer of the Clovis Veterans Memorial District
The events of 9/11 continue to affect the lives of people today. Former NYC firefighter, Andy Isolano witnessed the fall of the Twin Towers and lost 13 close friends and colleagues in the aftermath. Moving to Clovis in the months after the attack, Isolano felt welcomed and comforted by the people in California.
“This memorial reminds people of what happened on 9/11 and I am able to share what I experienced so that kids can see what most of them missed,” Isolano said. “The youth today needs to know how big this event actually was. It didn’t just affect New York but it changed the course of our world.
“Even as you are going through the airport you have to take your shoes and your belts off,” Isolano continued. “Kids don’t know why we do it because it’s just normal for them. Well this is why we do it so that we can prevent this from happening again. I was at the in New York, I lost a lot of friends, and as I come out here every year people call me a hero. I don’t wanna be a hero but I represent all the people who lost their lives that day and it means a lot to me.”
In the following podcast, Fresno chief of police Jerry Dyer discusses the importance of remembering 9/11 each year.
Serving in combat operations for 23 years, Lorenzo Rios, U.S. army veteran and Chief Executive Officer of the Clovis Veterans Memorial District, experienced a rare unity and patriotism among his soldiers. Where most people saw destruction, Rios witnessed a compassion from his troops that went beyond the tragedy of war.
“As tragic as 9/11 was, it was also a crucible that brought the nation together,” Rios said. “Today there is such a political divide and it is important to remember that on this day the true side of American character was shown. People put their divisions aside and saw past status to their fellow countrymen. Compassion, love, and self-sacrifice was seen all over the country on September 11th in Americans supporting their countrymen.
“I led my troops in Iraq and Afghanistan with pride because I saw them give their very best,” Rios continued. “People show the ugliness of combat; explosions and death; I got to see the compassion of some of my soldiers writing home for school supplies for the children in foreign countries. I am proud to say that I am an American and my children and their children get to live in the land of the free.”
The memorial included the singing of the national anthem, a wreath procession, a flag presentation, and a 21-gun salute by the U.S. Marine Corps. The ceremony concluded with the playing of “Amazing Grace“, done to honor those who lost their lives in the towers.
Fresno police chief Jerry Dyer stands with his fellow servicemen at the memorial ceremony every year. He remembers making connections with the firefighters flown in from New York City in 2001 and continues to recognize those who sacrificed so much for the lives of others.
“It’s important to realize that we had fellow Americans, firefighter and police officers, who lost their lives trying to save civilians who were trapped in the collapsed building,” Dyer said. “The Bible tells us that there is no greater love than to lay down one’s life for their brother and that’s exactly what they did. These ceremonies demonstrate our love for mankind and how grateful we are for their sacrifice.”
Today, there are students in high school who struggle to make meaning out of an event that did not personally affect them. Experiencing places like New York and the 9/11 Museum encourages students to think of the impact the terrorist attack had on the course of America.
The Feather Online staff takes time to attend the Clovis ceremony and talk to the viewers about their experience on 9/11.
Had such a special time remembering Sept. 11 during the 9/11 Memorial Ceremony. May we #NeverForget911 @thefeather pic.twitter.com/DMdiNqKE2k
— Addison Schultz (@SchultzAddison) September 11, 2018
Sophia Kalugin, ‘19, visited the 9/11 Memorial and Museum in New York City for a choir trip. Her experience changed the way she viewed the attack on the World Trade Center and she appreciates 9/11 as a time for America to unite.
“Going to the New York museum changed my perspective because seeing where things actually stood and the building footprints makes you realize how big the collapse must have been,” Kalugin said. “I think it’s important to remember 9/11 every year because it is a time where our country unites and shows patriotism in a time where we can be really divided. In the conflict, it’s good to have a day that reminds us of why our country sticks together, even in the hard times.”
While it took a tragic event like 9/11 to bring Americans together in support of their servicemen, consider thanking our service personnel for their sacrifice. Bake cookies and deliver them to the hospital or police station on National Service Day or send letters of thanks to the fire station on Firefighter Day. Heck they would love cookies, too!
Slideshow images below show the Schneider Electric 9/11 memorial service, Sept. 11.
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For another 9/11 article, read Remembering a day of infamy. For another article, read Campus body anticipates first home football game.
Addison Schultz can be reached via email and via Twitter @SchultzAddison.