Pregame, halftime ceremonies honor victims, heroes of Sept. 11

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Don Branum
  • U.S. Air Force Academy Public Affairs
U.S. AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo. --  The Air Force-BYU football game Saturday featured 60 minutes of furious competition on the gridiron, but it also included 20 special minutes dedicated to the 3,000 people who died on the same date nine years ago.

Volunteers unfurled a large American flag onto the field during halftime as the Cadet Drum and Bugle Corps performed to honor the memory of victims of the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks.

Former Falcons team captain Chris Gizzi led the Falcons onto the field before the game, carrying an American flag while cadet athletes behind him carried Fire Department of New York and New York Police Department flags. A steel beam from the World Trade Center, donated by the Post 9/11 Foundation, sat outside Falcon Stadium's eastern façade.

NYPD detective Steve Hayden and FDNY firefighter Kenny Haskell served as honorary game captains for Air Force. Mr. Haskell called the observance "unbelievable."

"It's humbling to be here with the Armed Forces to remember the people who gave their lives on the first day of the War on Terror," Mr. Haskell said. "I'm grateful for their generosity and their kindness. It was classy from start to finish."