Remembering September 11th

Fourteen years later, the new generation hardly remembers the harrowing event.  Many of the fans, players, band members, cheerleaders who took the field on Friday were not even born when it happened.  However, the aged and wise will never forget.

As crowds gathered at Gray-Veterans Memorial Field on Friday, September 11th for another football game, it wasn’t the game that set the mood — it was the remembrance.

It was clear that the varsity cheerleading coaches who organized the remembrance event agreed with former United States Senator Bill Frist’s statement: “September 11th impressed upon us that life is a precious gift. Every life has a purpose. And I think we all have a duty to devote at least a small portion of our daily lives to ensuring that neither America nor the world ever forgets September 11th.”

Local firemen, first responders, members of the armed forces, members of the search and rescue teams, and veterans were greeted with a roaring applause as they walked to the 50 yard line for the pregame ceremony.

Coach Cris Hunter expressed her gratitude towards those who sacrificed their lives in order to save the victims of the harrowing event.

“It’s the least we can do. These responders have affected everyone’s life whether they know it or not. It’s nice to take the time and show that we appreciate these heroes,” said Hunter.

“It’s also a healing process. You can see the ones in the crowd who were directly related to those who sacrificed their lives. Having the crowd applaud family members or friends shows that they will never go unappreciated for their service,” added Coach Kera Patton.

This remembrance hit home to the stands when Tyrone’s show choir POPs Extension sang “God Bless America.”

As patriotic Americans stood with their hands over their heart, voices rose up in unison adding to the choir.

Eventually it was time to start another football game on another Friday, but it didn’t mark the end of remembering those heroes. 

We will never forget.