9/11 survivor recalls Pentagon attack at memorial ceremony

Hundreds of New Jersey residents were killed on 9-11, and today in Pennsylvania, loved ones and community members gathered to honor those lost. Action News reporter Amanda Pitts was there, and she joins us live now with the emotional story from one survivor tonight. Amanda. That's right, Rick. This memorial behind me honors all of those lives lost, and just two blocks away from this spot is where a survivor lives, a survivor who lived through the attack on the Pentagon. He shared his story with us today, a story he has carried with him for the last 25 years. Today, just a great time to remember some people lost. September 11, 2001 still brings a tear to the eye of Oscar Philip Benjamin of Pensauket, a survivor of the attack on the Pentagon. The Army veteran was working as chief of anti-terrorism operations and intelligence, and recalls noticing one plane's unusual path. It's out over the Potomac, where the target. He rushed to alert those he could in the few minutes they had. Civilians evacuate military manual stations in three to six minutes. It was just a slight, just felt a slight shudder, and we've been hit. He says he lost friends that day, and what unfolded after, he barely remembers. The smoke was knee-high, black smoke. I don't remember even when I got out of there. Benjamin shared his harrowing story with his Pensauken neighbors in a memorial ceremony. Oh, say, can you see? Where four bells commemorated the four planes that crashed that September day. For the younger people joining us this afternoon, September 11th is something they only know through history books, photographs, videos, and the stories that we have passed down to them. Twenty-five years later, a retelling of history and a moment of reflection for those who never made it home, and for Benjamin, who did. The unity, empathy, compassion. I hope it doesn't take another 9-11 type event to bring us back to that point in America. And these flags you see here behind me at this memorial were planted here by residents. They put them up last night, something they do on the eve of 9-11 every year, a tradition that will continue for generations to come. We're live in Pensauken this evening, Amanda Pitts, Channel 6 Action News. Shari? Amanda, thank you.