Ponies pay respect , honor 9/11

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Photo by Allie Langness Before the game, a ceremony was held to honor the local first responders throughout from throughout the community. A flag extended across more than half of the field and a flag was hung on the north end of the stadium by two fire trucks.

When America was terrorized on the fateful day of 9/11, many thought it would bring the USA down. Fourteen years later we can see it has done just the opposite. Americans everywhere come together to honor those lost, strengthening their patriotism and loyalty.

In the football game vs the East Ridge Raptors, the team honored those lost by paying tribute to those who died sacrificing their lives for others.

Before the game , as the football team lined up for the national anthem, out came the first responders. One from every station in the Washington County; men and women whose jobs are to save others lives before their own.

“It was an emotional moment where we all thought for those lives lost and everyone affected,” captain Mutt Hoefferle said.

The date of 9/11 is a huge part of American history. It affected everyone in USA differently. Head offensive coach Weiss said it means a lot to him:

“A time to reflect and remember the innocent people that were killed by the terrorists and time to reflect and remember the people that were heros in that situation. People that were in those positions to be heros like firefighters and police officers and first responders and also people that were thrust into that situation to be a hero like the individuals who sacrificed their own lives on the flight that eventually they had to down in a field they weren’t people who were trained to be a hero but it was thrust upon them. Those are the types of things I remember and how our nation responded and we  came together to set aside our differences and remembered what it meant to be a citizen of the greatest country in the world. Thats what 9/11’s all about. People might try to divide us and break us apart through small terrorist acts but when push comes to shove, we all have the same goals and culture that we love and thats freedom and liberty.”

Along with the national anthem, there were many other things done to show just how we remembered those lost that tragic day.

“We had a big flag to honor those lost and those who served. [We] also had a color guard along with the first responders from every unit from our area to show support to those who served in 9/11.”. said Hoefferle. “There were firetrucks, firemen, flags, ambulances and even fireworks,” junior player Trent Womeldorff added.

The “big” flag Hoefferle refers to is a little bit of an understatement. This massive 40′ by 60′ flag was not just bought or rented for that night, it was lent to us out of the kindness of someones heart.

“Not quite sure how exactly we got it, but I do know that somebody in our community was able to acquire it for us. Its extremely expensive to rent a flag like that and I believe that it was donated to us for that particular night,” Coach Weiss said.

Weiss isn’t exaggerating when he says it would be expensive. A flag of that caliber on that date would have been over $5000 to rent. Its one of the largest flags in the state of Minnesota and is used at Gophers football games as well as Vikings games. Before the game wasn’t the only time for honoring and remembrance.

“There was a definite sense of patriotism. [There was] constant cheering of USA by both sides. At the end both teams came together and prayed. It was a great experience,” Womeldorff said.

While the fans cheered on chanting their country’s name, Weiss said the players attentions and emotions stayed focused on the task at hand, the football game. In the end, while the Ponies went down in defeat, the spirt of those lost in 9/11 live on. The loyalty and patriotism of America shall never die.

“[The] players recognize and understand that there are very important things going on whether were honoring and individual whether were playing for a specific reason or its something like 9/11 where were remembering something those things are important but there not the same as the game so as long as the players have been talked to about it from the beginning of the week, by the time the game comes around its not a distraction they’re ready for it, they’re prepared for it, and its done well its done right, people like seeing that kind of stuff,” said Weiss.