Sept. 11, 2001.
Since the American Airlines Flight 11 left Boston’s Logan Airport that morning, the country has never been the same. The heinous attacks on the Pentagon, Twin Towers and our country haven’t been forgotten. It’s a moment that no matter the age of the person, will forever be replayed in slow motion.
They know where they where, what they were doing and who they were with.
I was at Burrell High School in Lower Burrell, Pa. As a freshman in a new school, I didn’t know anyone. I was sitting in study hall with Mrs. Feather, in the row closest to the door, eighth seat back, when Mrs. Feather’s phone rang. Her eyes were as wide as can be and she shot up to turn on the television.
I remember leaving school at 2:42 that afternoon and watching the news all day trying to take in what was going on.
You see, everyone has their respective memory about that day.
For Pirates catcher Tony Sanchez, he remembers the moment clear as day.
“I was in Ms. Rivieras 7th grade ceramics class making a paper mâché globe,” Sanchez said, “when the neighboring teacher ran into our class and told her to turn on her television.”
The 25-year-old Sanchez was only 13 at the time of the attacks. While many adults had questions about what was going on, try being a teenager hearing that New York City was under attack.
On the night of Sept. 11, as I was readying myself for bed, I kept looking outside in the sky. When Flight 93 went down in Shanksville Pa. at 10:03 a.m., I was scared that another one was coming down in Lower Burrell, Pa. I remember asking my dad and stepmom what was going on, but even they didn’t have all of the answers.
At such a young age, it’s hard to understand what was taking place at first.
“At first, I was shocked and had no idea what was going on,” Sanchez said. “But as they gathered more and more information, I was well aware of what happened to our country.”
Twelve years later seems like 12 minutes later. The attacks seem like they just happened this year, instead of more than a decade ago. Every year, there are memorials and millions upon millions of people that continue to show their respect for the victims of the attacks.
Sanchez still gets the chills. He said that he doesn’t think it will ever not give him chills when thinking about the day. But for him, it goes deeper than that.
In May 2001, Sanchez had a choice to make. His mother gave him one of two options for his birthday. He could either have a party with his friends or travel to New York to see the sites.
“On my birthday of that year, my mother gave me the option of going to New York to see everything or have a paintball party with all of my friends,” Sanchez said. “Shamefully, I chose paintball and will forever regret that decision.”
Fast-forward time, Sanchez is now in the Pirates minor league uniform. It’s a uniform that makes him a de facto celebrity. He’ll sign the autographs, take the pictures and interact with the fans. They are all things he loves to do. You can call him an idol for a kid or even a role model, but he wants to make it clear that he and other athletes are not heroes. That word deserves to be used when talking about the guys who defend our country.
“It’s an absolute fact. We’re all just guys with strong arms, quick feet and short swings. We may be idols and kids may want to grow up to be like us, but we are far from heroes,” Sanchez said. “My father was a marine and if it wasn’t for him and the soldiers who are fighting for our freedoms every day, none of us would be able to do this. I make sure to think about that during every National Anthem.”
It was known as “The Week that Sports Stood Still” and rightfully so. Even at such a tender age, I can’t forget the emotion of the fans at Shea Stadium, the NYPD and FDNY hats, Mayor Rudy Giuliani — a Yankees fan — showing his support of his city at the game and the legendary home run of Mike Piazza that brought healing to the country in the first game after the attacks on Sept. 21, 2001.
Of course prior to the game, was the singing of the National Anthem. No matter how many times it’s player or at what magnitude, the meaning never gets lost.
“I will never forget the meaning of it. You watch guys close their eyes or pray. Everyone knows how much it means,” Sanchez said. “I stare at the flag and think about how lucky I am. I don’t think there’s any better reminder how lucky we all are than the National Anthem.”
When the anthem played that day, it gave the entire country chills. Watching the Boston Bruins take on the Pittsburgh Penguins this year, after the Boston Marathon bombing, brought back those emotions. One nation, one country, united as one.
May we never forget.
