I was career US Army (retired now). I have been to "Area 51." All it really is is an installation to test experimental military airplanes.
I said once and will say it again.
Anybody that say they know about Area 51 knows nothing about it. Anybody that says they know nothing knows everything and nowhere to be found.
I remember where I was and what I was doing on 9/11/2001. Amazing events make a huge impression, just like witnessing a baffling object in the sky