The California 9/11 Memorial annually commemorates the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001. Photos by Gabriel Dillard

Hundreds gathered at the California 9/11 Memorial in Clovis Monday morning for the annual ceremony commemorating the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001.

First responders from across the country were on hand for remarks and a flag-folding ceremony in honor of Will Jimeno, the port authority police officer who was buried in the rubble of the World Trade Center for 13 hours.

Jimeno said this was the first time in 22 years that he has spent 9/11 outside of New York. He shared his harrowing story of coming to terms with his impending death while stuck under a 30-foot pile of debris from the collapse of the World Trade Center.

 

Jimeno was already a father, and was expecting another baby at the time of the attacks with his wife Allison, who was also present for the ceremony Monday. Jimeno shared a vision he experienced while awaiting rescue of a Jesus-like figure handing him a bottle of water.

A Catholic, Jimeno said the vision gave him the strength and hope to survive.

He shared a message of faith, hope, love and kindness. He ended his remarks with a quote from Edmund Burke, “All that is necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing.”

Jimeno will also deliver a talk about his experience later Monday evening at 6 p.m. at the Clovis Veterans Memorial Auditorium at 808 Fourth St.

On Tuesday, Sept. 12 at 6 p.m., the Clovis Veterans Memorial Auditorium will host the awards ceremony for the 2023 One Voice Contest, which invites Fresno County middle and high-school students to submit art, poetry and logo designs reflecting on how the country was united after 9/11.