Pennsauken, N.J. – On Friday, the town gathered for its annual 9/11 memorial, and among the speakers was Army veteran Oscar Phillip Benjamin, who survived the Pentagon attack while serving as chief of anti‑terrorism operations and intelligence.
Personal recollection of the day
Benjamin, a longtime resident just blocks from the memorial, described the moments leading up to the crash of American Airlines Flight 77. He recalled hearing a plane fly west‑to‑east near the Pentagon and immediately sensing danger. “There was a plane coming west to east. I said, ‘OK, that doesn’t sound good,’” he said. “They said it just went past the Pentagon; it’s out over the Potomac. I went, ‘We’re the target.’”
When the aircraft struck, Benjamin said the impact felt like a slight shudder that lasted three to six minutes before the building was hit. Thick, knee‑high black smoke filled the corridors, forcing occupants to crawl to safety. “Anybody in or out had to crawl out,” he recalled, adding that people were already reporting a big fire and casualties.
Leadership amid chaos
From his command post, Benjamin ordered, “Civilians, evacuate; military, man your stations.” His quick directives helped coordinate the emergency response as the Pentagon’s staff worked to contain the blaze and rescue trapped personnel.
Although he does not remember every detail of his own escape, Benjamin emphasized the lasting sense of unity that emerged from the disaster. “The unity, empathy, compassion—I hope it doesn’t take another 9/11‑type event to bring us back to that point in America,” he said, wiping away tears as bagpipes played “Amazing Grace.”
Community remembrance
Pennsauken Mayor Patrick Olivo highlighted the ceremony’s role in passing the memory of September 11 to younger generations. “For the younger people joining us this afternoon, September 11 is something they only know through history books, photographs, videos and the stories that we have passed down to them,” Olivo said.
Residents added American flags around the memorial Thursday night, continuing a tradition that honors the victims of the four planes that crashed that day. The ceremony featured speeches from local leaders, music, bagpipes, and the ringing of bells.
Why the story matters locally
Benjamin’s firsthand account brings a national tragedy into a personal, neighborhood context, reminding Pennsauken families of the sacrifices made by service members and the enduring strength of community bonds. The event underscores the town’s commitment to preserving history, fostering patriotism, and teaching future generations about the values of faith, family, and liberty that helped the nation endure that dark day.
Original reporting: Allentown News – 6abc Philadelphia — read the source article.
