Retired Master Trina Hines offers a copy of her book, “9/11: Pentagon S.O.S.: Leadership Strategies of Survival” as a gift to one of the Sailors attending the Navy Information Operations Command Georgia’s 10th anniversary ceremony, a 9/11 commemoration, held Sept. 9 in Alexander Hall. As the guest speaker she shared her experience as a 9/11 survivor of the attack on the Pentagon. Bonnie Heater Fort Gordon Sailors and Depar tment of the Navy civilians remember 9/11. The 10th Anniversary Ceremony, a 9/11 Commemoration, washostedbythe Sailors assigned to Navy Information Operations Command Georgia Sept. 9 in Alexander Hall.

“ This Sunday [ Sept. 11], our nation will be honoring those that lost their lives on that fateful day Sept. 11, 2001,” said Navy Capt. John Post, commander of Navy Information Operations Command Georgia and presiding officer of the ceremony. “And so it is with great somber that we are joined today to remember the 2,977 victims who were viciously murdered that day by terrorists bent on destroying America and our way of life.

“ We stand today, 10 years after this tragic event, with healing hearts and a strengthened resolve to protect our country and eliminate those who would do America and the free world harm,” continued Post.

The University of Texas alumnus spoke about the loss of innocent lives at the World Trade Centers and the valiant efforts of the New York Fire and Police Depar tments, the Port Authority Police Department and Emergency Medical Technicians from private emergency medical services who suffered 411 casualties trying to save as many people as possible after the 8:46 a.m. and 9:30 a.m. strikes against the World Trade Center Towers.

“We remember the heroic efforts of the 40 passengers and crew who prevented United Airlines Flight number 93 from being flown into another high occupancy building, sacrificing their lives in crashing their plane near Shanksville, Pa.,” said Post. “And we remember the 125 military, Department of Defense civilians and contractors lost when the Pentagon was struck by American Airlines Flight 77 at 9:37 a.m. that day.”

The Dallas nat ive was also assigned to the Pentagon at the time of the attack. “I was staring at the TV news screen in the 5th corridor, D Wing, 4th Floor, Pentagon in complete disbelief as I watched United Airlines Flight 175 strike World Trade Center South Towers at 9:30 a.m. and soon thereafter felt the Pentagon shudder as we were hit at 9:37 a.m.,” explained Post. “Time stood still as the initial shock took hold before the emergency lights and horns sounded for evacuation.”

Post thanked his Sailors for their work in providing critical indications and warning and intelligence in ensuring our freedom and security before introducing the guest speaker, retired Master Sgt. Trina Hines, a Pentagon attack survivor and author of “ 9/ 11 Pentagon S.O.S.: Leadership Strategies of Survival”.

Hines encouraged Sailors, Soldiers and civilians to visit the website: Pentagon memorial.org to view videos and personal testimonies of survivors and rescue personnel. She also talked about the Pentagon memorial which was completed in 2008. “The benches facing the Pentagon were built for those who perished in the Pentagon and the benches facing away from the building are those who died on American Airlines Flight 77 as it crashed through the Pentagon. “The youngest victim was 3 years old and the oldest was 71,” said Hines.

The Army Junior Reserve Office Training Corps instructor and founder of Customized Global Learning, talked about her travels to Africa, India, Russia and throughout the United States. She talked about the poverty she has seen in these countries and the USA.

At the time of the attack on the Pentagon, Hines was a first sergeant. She explained she had arrived at her office in the Pentagon expecting to counsel two Soldiers at 9:30 a.m. that day when one of the sergeants major called to remind her of a meeting. “I rushed to the Air Force office for the meeting,” said Hines. Someone said, “I don’t think there’s a meeting because a plane just went through the World Trade Center in New York City.”

Short ly afterwards, something hit the Pentagon. Someone said it was a bomb. “Get out of here.” Hines checked her pants pockets. After finding her keys she decided not to go back to her office, but to exit the building.

“Once I got outside I didn’t see any smoke anywhere,” explained Hines. “So I went back into the Pentagon. I was informed to exit the building, but before she left again she left a message for mom and husband telling them she was ok.

“About 2 p.m. I received a call from my first sergeant,” said Hines. “He asked me if I was all right.” The first sergeant broke the sad news to her. Everyone in Room 1E470 had perished. “We lost 40 people that day. The plane went through our office.

“ I went back in the Pentagon wearing only my badge, but they let me in,” she added. “Several of us went upstairs near where our office once stood. It was cold, eerie and surreal. We ran into Soldiers and some civilians who informed us there were civilians and Soldiers still working on the 5th Floor.”

Hines went on to about growing up in the projects. She talked about the principals that govern her life. “If people in your life don’t hold value to you, ignore them,” she advised. “The people around you should add value to your life.

They are the ones who will help you open doors of opportunities through networking and offer you challenging assignments.”

The 20- year Army veteran encouraged everyone to keep their friends close and their enemies closer. The third principal she passed on is “Let it go!” “Don’t dwell on the bad and things you can’t change,” said Hines.

She concluded her presentation with these words: “You are the sum total of your experiences. You bring something to the table.”