TROY, Ala. (TROJANVISION) — It’s been 24 years since the United States experienced a terrorist attack that shook Americans.

Although those attacks happened far away from Pike County, many locals still remember 9/11.

“I think it will always be remembered because it was such an impactful and awful, terrible day,” said Troy student Whitney Clark. “I’m not sure it will be forgotten, and I don’t think it should be forgotten, and I think its something that we should remember forever. It should hold a special place in our hearts.”

Troy Fire Department Battalion Chief Josh Hamm was at a gas station when he heard the news.

“We had actually stopped at a gas station and somehow the gas station attendants had gotten some information about it. They were the ones we heard it from.”

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Not only did 9/11 change many first responders’ protocols, it also changed first responders’ mentality.

“I mean, for starters, every incident that you go to you have a different thought process. You know, you wonder then if its terrorist related or, if it has anything to do with something malicious,” Hamm explained.

Although Hamm, Clark, and millions of Americans have different memories from September 9, 2001, both say there was a significant shared experienced.

“It definitely united people in helping, like sending money for the survivors and the families impacted and just like cleaning up, and I think it really untied America,” Clark told TrojanVision.

“I think the country as a whole, it brought everybody together and it showed you how quick something unexpected can happen and how different your lives can be from then on out just in the blink of an eye,” Hamm said.