Trapped under 220 stories of rubble for 13 hours, Will Jimeno never imagined he would be alive today to share his story.
Jimeno was one of only two survivors to be found amidst the wreckage of the collapsed World Trade Center after 9/11. He came to Auburn University this morning to donate a piece of steel from the World Trade Center to the Veterans Resource Center and to share his story.
"As a survivor, I thought what better way to keep the memories of those lost than by giving something to remind people of their sacrifice," Jimeno said.
Jimeno, an officer for the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey Police Department, was invited to speak about his own personal experiences as well as the trauma veterans face when returning home and the number of veteran suicides because of post-traumatic stress disorder.
Director of the Veterans Resource Center Johnny Green said that because of veterans week, special arrangements were made to the University.
"We had 110 flags placed Monday morning on Cater Lawn," Green said. "This morning, they were joined by 110 red crosses to commemorate the veterans that we lose to suicide."
Jimeno's theme throughout his recount of Sept. 11 was "faith, hope and love." He said those were the three things that allow him to stand where he is today.
"I knew if I gave up and let myself die, then I would let the terrorist win," Jimeno said. "So while I was trapped under that wall, I started thanking God for everything he had given me in my lifetime, and I knew that if I gave up, then that meant I was giving up on my family, too."
Jimeno went into the World Trade Center as part of a rescue operation with a team of four other men. Two of the men died instantly as the Twin Towers began to collapse, and another died while attempting to rescue Jimeno and himself from the hole they were trapped inside.
The team sent to rescue Jimeno and another survivor, Sargeant McLoughlin, were told after a few hours to let the men die, because there was no hope.
"But Paddy McGee and Scott Straus said, 'We aren't leaving them, we'll die with them,'" Jimeno said. "And after three hours, they literally hand dug us out."
Jimeno was transported to Belview Hospital where he underwent eight surgeries and flatlined twice.
"The nurse kept being sent out to tell my wife I had died, but then they would call him back in because I would wake up," Jimeno said.
Jimeno, whose story inspired the film, "World Trade Center," said the experience of surviving Sept. 11 made him realize he wanted to do something to give back to the veterans that serve our country every day.
"When my daughter chose Auburn, I was so excited because the more I learned about it, the more I fell in love with it," Jimeno said. "I'm honored to present this piece of steel to the University."
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