TROY, Ala. (TROJANVISION) — Many people remember the two planes that flew into the World Trade Center, but the Twin Towers weren’t the only buildings that were hit.
Troy professor Dr. Duane Gunn was inside the Pentagon when a hijacked plane crashed into the facility 23 years ago.
“I had been assigned there I was there for a three-year tour where I was going to be part of a organization that oversaw the acquisition of space assets,” Gunn explained.
He remembers the exact moment when American Airlines Flight 77 crashed into the building.
“I was about 400 feet from impact. You saw smoke and things like that billowing down the hallways.”
Gunn remembers people struggling to not only get to safety but also to understand what had just happened.
“There was quite a bit of uncertainty that was going on that day.”
REMEMBERING 9/11:
Amid the fear and chaos, Gunn also remembers a country that snapped into action and people who immediately found ways to help.
“We had people who would literally be driving up to these areas where you commuted from and people were going, ‘are you in the right spot?’ Wherever they could pick somebody up, people would be picking them up and helping them get home.”
Although Gunn and countless others can never forget September 1, 2001, many of today’s younger adults had not been born yet. Despite that, some students say they make it a point to learn about the attacks and the impact that it left on America.
“I wasn’t born then but I just know it was definitely an important event,” said freshman Ember Chalker. “A lot of people passed away and it was not something that needs to ever repeat again.”
It’s that kind of understanding that Gunn hopes will help prevent any similar attacks from happening again.
“I think understanding history is a very important part of of growing and knowing who we are as a country,” Gunn said. “By understanding what happened, maybe we can gain insights into the future so this doesn’t happen again.”
Over the years Gunn has shared his experience with a countless number of students. His story has become an annual event at Troy University.
Gunn also shared his story in Ozark earlier when he was invited to the Ozark Dale County Library.
