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Navy veteran remembers surviving 9/11 

Posted at 12:38 PM, Sep 09, 2016
and last updated 2016-09-09 19:53:13-04

CAPE CHARLES, Va. - September 11th, 2001 is a day forever etched into Jerome Mapp`s mind.

“I can remember seeing the fear and the horror. I can remember the chaos,” Mapp explained.

What started as a regular work day at the Pentagon quickly turned into a nightmare.

“I grabbed one of the co-workers in the office and she and I fled and an admiral who was in charge of the office, just waved us out and told everybody to just run,” Mapp said.

Once he and his co-workers made it outside safely, they say the Pentagon up in flame with smoking billowing out of the windows.

“There was a loud explosion. It felt like someone actually fired a missile right at the pentagon,” the former editor and Chief Write for the Navy News Service said.

American Airlines flight 77 crashed into the building`s western wall, killing 184 people.

“When I left the office to go get my coffee - I ran into a navy commander, his name is Patrick dun. I learned later that he was among the causalities,” Mapp said.

15 years later.

A new chapter in life for Mapp.

Retired, he`s now living on the Eastern Shore caring for his parents.

The navy vet says he's not bitter or angry about the senseless attack.

“I don`t look back and rehash it to the point where it’s gonna cause me problems. I look back and rehash it and try to figure out what I can do with it,” Mapp explained.

Mapp says he`s not sure why he was spared but he`s grateful he was able to return home to his family.

"It could have been 10 times worse."