Hundreds of people gathered in Los Gatos Friday morning to honor the heroes, victims and survivors of the Sept. 11 attacks, 25 years later.
The Veterans Memorial and Support Foundation hosted the free community event, called "9/11 at 25: Keepers of the Flame," at the Los Gatos Civic Center.
Watch NBC Bay Area News free wherever you are
One of the keynote speakers was retired New York City Fire Department Lt. Joe Torrillo, who was among the first responders to reach the World Trade Center after it was struck by American Airlines Flight 11.
After rushing to the nearest fire station, Torrillo was wearing turnout gear belonging to firefighter Thomas McNamara.
He was buried beneath debris when the South Tower collapsed and was initially identified as McNamara when he was rescued because of the name on the back of the uniform he was wearing.
Even after the tower collapsed further during the initial rescue attempt, Torrillo survived and was eventually identified as alive and receiving treatment at a New Jersey hospital.
The retired firefighter said Friday's event was about remembering those who made the ultimate sacrifice on Sept. 11 and in the days that followed.