Hundreds gathered at Valencia College's Osceola Campus in Kissimmee Thursday night to remember the victims of the 9/11 attacks, including a first responder-turned survivor.

“You couldn’t breathe, you couldn’t see, you were feeling your way around," said retired New York Police Det. Daniel Rodriguez.

“By the time we made it up to floor 31st, the south tour had collapsed," Rodriguez added.

Rodriguez was one of several former New York City Police and Firefighters who were honored during the 9/11 Memorial Ceremony in Kissimmee.  Rodriguez says 9/11 is still surreal but he feels blessed he and his fellow officers were able to help so many people.

"We had no radio communication, no cell phones, no nothing,” Rodriguez said. “The lights went out in the building, all we were working off were emergency lights. So we started to, we just decided to evacuate with the people we had. There were 13 officers and if I remember 78 civilians.”
 
Rodriguez estimates he only made it out of the North Tower alive with less than 10 minutes to spare.

“When we made it outside, we couldn’t see anything because of the ash cloud,” he said. “We had a pretty good sense of direction and we started traveling north away from the other tour. We got about five or six blocks away, when our tour collapsed.  I would say 8 to 10 minutes at most.”

Hundreds attended the memorial, which was highlighted by TAPS and the ringing of the final bell of service. A solemn reminder for all in attendance.

“I can sum it up in three of the same words, which is never forget, never forget, never forget,” said John R. Martinez with the St. Cloud Marine Corps League.
 
Volunteers posted nearly 3,000 flags across the Valencia Osceola Campus, not only to remember those who died in the 9/11 attacks but to also start a dialogue with young college students.  
 
"When we think about it, most of the students at Valencia College were only four or five years old in 2001,” said Dr. Kathleen Plinske, president of the Osceola Campus. “It allows us to engage in conversation with students because many ask why are all the flags up and we’re able to talk about the attacks of September 11th, what it means to our country and also engage in a conversation with students about peace and tolerance and the importance of working together to try to prevent any attack like this in the future.”