"The guys that had gotten off duty that morning went in and experienced the collapses and all that…When the smoke cleared 13 close friends were gone and 343 fellow firefighters," Isolano said.
Saturday morning more than 400 people gathered at Pelco headquarters in Clovis for an annual event to honor the nearly 3,000 people who were killed on Sept. 11.
The ringing of the bell five times is a fire fighting tradition that marks the end of an emergency and a return to quarters.
"Today is always a rough day and 9 years out it doesn't get any easier," Isolano said.
After a helicopter flyover three valley families were honored with a United States flag.
Reedley Police Officer Javier Bejar, Fresno County Deputy Joel Wahlenmaier and Army Staff Sergeant Brian Piercy all lost their lives in the line of duty.
Isolano said the greatest thing to come from Sept. 11 is witnessing communities everywhere bond.
"It's therapy for me to see all these people come out and people that are as far away from it as can be they come out and the care and they show their respect and that tells me people haven't forgotten," said Isolano.
The retired fireman lives in the Madera Ranchos area and is already thinking of how difficult it will be for him next year to remember his fallen heroes.
