Trine University’s Distinguished Speaker Series hosted Retired Rear Admiral Edward “Sonny” Masso on Wednesday morning.

For years when asked to speak about his experiences of September 11, 2001, Edward Masso would politely refuse. But after speaking to several middle school classes in 2014 in Nevada with students who had never heard about 9/11, Masso changed his mind in order to memorialize those who died that day.

Masso painted a vivid picture as he walked the audience through the many different senses he was feeling as he navigated throughout the pentagon during the distressful moments after the plane hit.

Masso answered a number of spectator questions after his speech; touching on artificial intelligence, gun violence, political discourse in America, bipartisanship, military defense, coping with trauma, mental health, honoring victims, and more.

If you missed it, you can find Masso’s entire speech and Q&A session at the T. Furth Center, by visiting the Trine University YouTube channel and clicking on the videos tab.