LANCASTER, Ohio — Canal Winchester resident and Navy veteran Alan Wallace is no stranger to central Ohio. 

Wallace is one of 20 veterans who was recently inducted into the Veterans Hall of Fame. 

He's worked at Grant Medical Center, Bloom Township Fire Department and Rickenbacker Air National Guard Base. 

But perhaps his most vivid memory is working in Washington D.C. the morning of 9/11, witnessing American Airlines Flight 77 strike the Pentagon. 

“I was one of three firefighters at the Pentagon Heliport Fire Station. When we had the attack that morning, that's where the airplane crashed. The left-wing of the airplane is probably what hit our fire truck, crushed the back left half of it, tore the left rear wheel clear off of the truck. It was a miracle we weren't killed,” said Wallace. 

Although Wallace was injured, that didn't stop him from spending several hours helping the wounded trapped in the rubble. 

Over the last two decades, Wallace, now in his mid-70s has traveled the country talking about that harrowing day. 

And on this day in Lancaster at the Fairfield County Fair, he was honored and a guest speaker during the annual Military Homecoming Celebration. 

Wallace remains humble about his accomplishments and continues to serve others.

He's not only fighting for proper medical care for aging veterans but speaking to younger generations about the importance of 9/11. 

“Whenever I have this opportunity I take it. In my opinion, it allows our young people particularly to have an idea of what exactly happened to our country and our countryman that man years ago,” said Wallace.