The anniversary of the September 11th attacks may be over, but computer engineer Dan Holdridge lives through the pains of that tragedy every single day.
 
"I thought I had died," Holdridge said.

  • 9/11 survivor shares story at HCC
  • Dan Holdridge was in Pentagon on 9/11
  • Wrote book "Pentagon Prayer"

Monday, he spoke at Hillsborough Community College in Ruskin. Holdridge was with a co-worker inside the Pentagon when it was hit September 11, 2001.
 
"3-2-1 boom, the blast went off," Holdridge said. "And it picked me and Bobby up and threw us a great distance and the building, it came down on top of us."
 
Holdridge was hurt. But he was minutes away from going into the Naval Command Center, where people died.
 
"I moved my left arm, I couldn't feel it," Holdridge said. "But I moved it and I took a breath and said I'm alive so now I have to get out."
 
Holdridge shared those awful memories of how he was covered in blood, how he remembers people dying nearby and how he made it out.

Fifteen years later, Holdridge still battles through pain mentally and physically. Just this year, doctors pulled a piece of the Pentagon debris from his arm. Holdridge doesn't let it get him down.
 
"I'm just so thankful," Holdridge said. "I'm just so thankful. I am blessed. It could have been worse for me."
 
Holdridge wrote a book, "Pentagon Prayer" and now he shares his story with crowds all over the country. Holdridge said the tragedy helped him learn to appreciate life and to help others appreciate theirs.