August 25, 2025 — The California 9/11 Memorial Board has announced that Erik O. Ronningen, a survivor of the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks, will be the honored guest and speaker at this year’s annual memorial ceremony. Ronningen is known as the last person to escape the South Tower of the World Trade Center before its collapse.
The ceremony will be held on September 11th from 8:30 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. at the California 9/11 Memorial, located at 3485 Never Forget Lane, Clovis, CA 93612. This event is free and open to the public, with all citizens, first responders, and military personnel encouraged to attend.
Established in 2019, the California 9/11 Memorial is a permanent monument built to honor and remember the 2,977 lives lost on that tragic day. It is the largest commemoration site of its kind outside of New York City. The organization’s mission is to “never forget the civilians, first responders and military personnel who died” and to “celebrate the resilience of the American Spirit” through honor, education, and remembrance.
A Career of Service and Resilience
Ronningen’s life has been marked by a diverse and distinguished career. An Army brat and professionally trained classical oboist, he performed with the National Symphony Orchestra at the age of sixteen. He later attended Valley Forge Military Academy and College on a full scholarship before being commissioned as a second lieutenant in the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. Instead of serving in Vietnam, he was stationed in Germany to command a NATO nuclear weapons site.
After leaving the military, he started his own company and received a U.S. Patent for a unique software package. His expertise led him to the World Trade Center in October of 1996, where a seven-month consultancy to design the new access control systems turned into a nineteen-year career.
A Harrowing Escape and a Powerful Message
On the morning of September 11, 2001, Ronningen was on the 71st floor of the North Tower. He describes his survival as a “near miraculous journey.” After making his way down the smoke-filled building, he attempted to reach the Command Center in the South Tower but was unable to, escaping just moments before its collapse.
Following 9/11, Ronningen developed a security Personal Assurance Program to help evaluate the character of individuals needing access to critical transportation infrastructure. He is also the author of the award-winning book, “FROM THE INSIDE OUT, Harrowing Escapes from the Twin Towers of the World Trade Center.”
Reviewers have praised Ronningen’s speaking style for its calm and controlled delivery, which conveys his harrowing story with “grace and humanity.” His ability to share his experiences without pity, focusing on his calculations and efforts to assist others, leaves audiences captivated. As one event organizer noted, his words are “like a melodic line, a melodic line that ends, but you wait for more.” His story is a powerful testament to the human spirit in the face of catastrophic events.
This year’s ceremony, marking the 24th anniversary of the attacks, offers a poignant opportunity for the community to come together and hear a firsthand account of survival, courage, and resilience.