“Oh my God…”
That headline was ran ten years ago on the front page of a Fresno Bee cover story the day after the terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center. Since then, the United States of America has been at war with those responsible. Almost a decade after, the man responsible, Osama Bin Laden, was confirmed killed on May 1, 2011, by a squad of Navy Seals. After a decade, the nation still honors and mourns those that lost their lives.
Fresno City College is amongst those who will be honoring lives that were lost ten years ago during the 9/11 attacks. FCC will be holding a patriot week, starting today and going until Sep. 10. On Sep. 9, the “9-11 We Remember” memorial will be held on campus at 12 p.m.
“It is a solemn and historic event,” said office assistant in student activities Valerie DiPinto who is organizing the “We Remember” memorial service. “I just feel honored to be able to participate in this.”
The ceremony will start at 12 p.m. with a wreath march from the main fountain. Leading this march will be cadets from the FCC fire and police academy. According to public information officer Kathy Bonilla, having the fire and police cadets involved is a way of honoring the firemen and policemen who either saved lives or lost their own during the attacks.
After the march, a tree will be planted by the Veterans Peace Memorial, north of the FCC bookstore. After the planting, guest Andrew Isolano will speak for a few minutes. According to the “City at a Glance” staff newsletter, Isolano is a retired New York firefighter who was at work the day of the attacks, being one of the first responders. He is now a community service officer with the Clovis Police Department.
The ceremony is only projected to last about fifteen minutes.
“It’s not a very long ceremony,” said Bonilla. “But I think it’s going to be heartfelt and emotional.”
Some of the students can recall where they were when it happened and how it felt. Joey Duron, 1st year student working on his G.E., can remember being in his third grade class at Bullard Talent elementary school.
“I felt sad, but I was a little kid so I didn’t get the full extent of what was going on,” Duron said.
Ray Salazar, 1st year English major, remembers his teacher pulling the class aside to talk about it, then taking off and leaving an assistant in charge as people were talking about what was going on.
“I was just confused about why everyone was scrambling about,” Salazar said, “I didn’t find out until I got home that day. No one told me anything.”
One thing Salazar felt strongly about was the discrimination against the Muslim faith that followed shortly after the attacks.
“It was really sad and I hated it,” said Salazar.
While the “9-11 We Remember” ceremony was started as its own lone event, so many other patriotic events were being held close enough that the week was named “Patriot Week”, according to College Center Assistant Maile Glover, who is planning the Military Appreciation Football Game.
“Patriot Week” starts today from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. with the Veterans Memorial BBQ in the fountain area. Glover said that the Veterans BBQ was moved to today in order to make it a part of patriot week. During the event, a national anthem singing contest will be held.
Thursday, Sep. 8, there will be a Rams Football Spirit Rally held in the fountain area at 11:45 a.m., with the “9-11 We Remember” ceremony being held the next day. During the “9-11 We Remember” ceremony, newspapers from the day after the attacks will be displayed, as well as a Flag display that was used in 2002 during FCC’s memorial service the year after. On giant posters, the names of every single person who died, whether in the planes, Pentagon or Twin Towers, will be printed for everyone to see.
On Sep. 10, the Military Appreciation Football Game will be held at Ratcliffe stadium, starting at 4 p.m. with a tailgate. The first 500 veterans and enlisted personnel to attend the tailgate will receive a free meal. All veterans and enlisted will be allowed into the FCC vs. San Mateo game for free at 6 p.m.
FCC has over 900 veterans enrolled as students on campus.
“I don’t think students realize how many fellow students in class are [veterans],” said Glover.
With all the events planned, the week serves as a way of FCC showing patriotism during the anniversary of a tragic event.
“To me, it’s just remembering those who died on that day,” said Valerie DiPinto, “and remembering their families who are still grieving for their loss.”
