CLOVIS, Calif. (FOX26) — This September will mark 25 years since the 9/11 attacks that changed our country forever.

For weeks and months, tributes poured out from all over the world, but one tribute stands, all these years later, on the West Coast — in the City of Clovis.

More than 2,900 miles away from New York City, you’ll find the second-largest 9/11 memorial outside of the Big Apple, standing in the middle of a Clovis industrial park, where it’s been home to remembrance ceremonies every year since.

Amazing America 250: California 9/11 Memorial (Photo: FOX26 Photojournalist Bert Montelongo)

It was created by executives at what was, at the time, Pelco headquarters.

“Having a surveillance company as a business, we did a lot of business in New York City,” said Julie DeBenedetto, Past President & Founding Member, The California 9/11 Memorial. “You had to do something, right? That was the attitude. We had to do something.”

In the span of two months, the first two pieces were in place — a granite stone explaining the impact of the attack on the United States, and a massive 110-foot-tall flagpole.

“Which represents the 110 stories of the World Trade Center,” said Jim Stemler, Founding Board Member, The California 9/11 Memorial.

Since then, the memorial formed a non-profit, adding a replica Twin Towers with the names of first responders killed, a replica of the Pentagon, featuring the names of those killed when a hijacked plane crashed into it, including Commander Otis Vincent Tolbert of Lemoore, and a tribute to flight 93 and the passengers — including Fresno State graduate Todd Beamer — who took on hijackers with the phrase “Let’s roll” before crashing into a field in Shanksville, Pennsylvania.

Each, with an explainer—for good reason. “College graduates were not even born when this happened,” said Stemler.

“We came up with the idea to add a QR code to each display,” said DeBenedetto.

Then, there are the helpers, who ran into the danger, risking it all, including Officer Moira Smith, the NYPD’s only female officer killed on 9/11.

“Where it’s placed, she’s looking at her name at the top of the list on the World Trade Center,” said Stemler.

There is also a Marine, wounded warriors, even the service dogs — nearly 300 who helped with search and rescue, therapy and, later, comfort, together, sitting under a living memorial.

A clipping from a tree found at Ground Zero, severely damaged — that’s grown to be a symbol of resilience and survival.

Much like this memorial that, as time passes, works to teach others about the events of that day, so they, too, will never forget.

Less than two months after the attacks, Pelco paid for 1,100 first responders to visit the memorial, even in its infancy.

Many told organizers, and those who still serve on the board today, the trip was a much-needed and well-appreciated escape.

Donations have funded every piece of the memorial, and it’s still not complete.

Board members say they’re now raising funds for a tribute to the civilians who lost their lives in the attacks.

You can donate at California911Memorial.com.