Residents from all over the Valley gathered at the California 9-11 Memorial in Clovis on Monday morning to pay tribute to those who lost their lives in the terrorist attacks on Sept. 11, 2001, and honor the first responders, as well as citizens, who stepped up mightily at a time of great challenge.

“At the end of the day, all these petty differences we argue about mean nothing,” said retired New Jersey Port Authority detective Will Jimeno, a first responder who survived being entombed under World Trade Tower rubble for 13 hours.

“It’s all about that flag standing behind me.”