Nearly 3,000 people were killed in the attacks, which remain among the deadliest events ever on U.S. soil. For retired FDNY firefighter Andy Isolono, the day continues to have a profound impact.
"I always feel like it should be getting easier, but it doesn't get any easier as a matter of fact, obviously 25 years is actually a little harder. It's amazing to believe it's been that long," Isolono said.
According to Isolono, he lost 13 close friends, hundreds of fellow first responders, and the job he loved. Lung damage he suffered after the attacks forced him to leave the profession.
Despite the grief he continues to carry, Isolono said the unity and support that followed the attacks have helped sustain him.
"The fact that this country came together the way they did the next day. The time immediately following, has always been amazing to me," he said.
Standing at the California 9/11 Memorial in Clovis, Isolono reflected on the site's significance in his life.
"This is the spot, I can only say, completely changed the direction of my life. Possibly saved my life," he said.
Isolono attended the memorial's first ceremony in December 2001 and has returned to share his experiences with hundreds of visitors and encourage future generations.
"All of us can be heroes if you sacrifice something for the benefit of someone else that's being a hero," he said.
Organizers describe the ceremony as the largest 9/11 memorial event outside New York. From the playing of the first 9-1-1 call, to the ringing of three bells, the ceremony is designed to honor those who died and those who responded.
Author Sue Okenyi said seeing the memorial remains an emotional experience.
"Seeing those names, these are people that gave their all," she added.
Okenyi worked at Pelco when the memorial was created. Moved by the stories she heard, she later wrote 'Healing the Hero's Heart', a book documenting personal accounts and the healing process that followed.
"Just remembering the people, I heard from, a woman, whose son is a firefighter she would call me periodically and just weep on the phone," Okenyi said.
She said the memorial has helped strengthen ties between communities across the country.
"The connection that this has brought us with the East Coast has been unbreakable," Okenyi said.
The California 9/11 Memorial Ceremony is scheduled to begin at 8:30 a.m. Friday at Never Forget Lane, near Peach and Dakota avenues in Clovis. ABC30's Margot Kim is scheduled to perform the national anthem, and the ceremony will be streamed live here on ABC30.com.
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