A retired rear admiral who was commanding officer of Navy Command Center Detachment 106 at the U.S. Pentagon on Sept. 11, 2001, will speak during Trine University's Distinguished Speaker Series 9/11 Memorial on Wednesday, Sept. 11th.

The event, beginning at 10 a.m. in the Ryan Concert Hall of the T. Furth Center for Performing Arts, is a remembrance of those who lost their lives in the 9/11 terrorist attacks. All Distinguished Speaker Series events are free and open to the public.

Rear Admiral Edward "Sonny" Masso (USN Ret.) was a captain when the Command Center took a direct hit from American Airlines Flight 77 just after 9:40 a.m. on 9/11. Thirty-four of the Command Center team were killed that day, including officers, sailors, government service professionals and contractors. Other personnel lost their lives in the higher floors just above the Command Center after rescue efforts failed due to the explosive nature of the fire, smoke and destruction that ensued.

Masso will speak about the events of 9/11 from his personal experience. Including the professional actions of the men and women of the Navy Command Center up to the moments leading up to the act of terrorism. Those in attendance also will learn of the aftermath, first responder roles, as well as how the Navy responded within 22 minutes of the attack by resuming operations, and continuing activities and missions that only moments before had been reduced to fire and rubble.

Designed to give educational enrichment that complements other learning experiences, Trine University's Distinguished Speaker Series brings experts in various fields to campus throughout the school year. All Distinguished Speaker Series events are free and open to the public.