September Rain

If tears come streaming down your face on this day it’s OK. This is a day of remembrance and to “Never Forget.” This day is known as 9/11.

It is the 24th anniversary of September 11, 2001, and a time to remember loved ones and first responders who were lost that day. Then and now, sports have played a significant role in the remembrance and healing process.

For many, sports have played a big part in the healing process, from supporting first responders to displaying the American flag during opening ceremonies at stadiums and arenas. Throughout the years, 9/11 and the sport’s healing process have been well documented by stories, exhibits, and performances at many sports venues nationwide. The New York Mets and Yankees each wore first responder hats from the PAPD, NYPD, and FDNY to show their support.

New York had to recover. Be revived as freedom was briefly halted.

That awakening came from baseball on September 21, 2001 at Shea Stadium in New York City where the Mets were playing the Braves in the first game since the 9/11 attacks in New York. It was the eight-inning and Mike Piazza was at-bat with the fans unsure should they cheer or not? What happened next could be remembered as the “Second Shot Heard Around the World,” as Piazza hit a mammoth home run against Steve Karsay and awakened the fans to cheer and chant U-S-A.

This is a story to remember what America stands for. This is a story to never forget 9/11.

As usual, America was going about its business on this Tuesday morning. The sun was shining, the economy thriving and this greatest nation was going to be dealt a serious blow never seen, since the invasion of Pearl Harbor, on American soil. America, and what it stands for, will be broken for one day.

That day is September 11, 2001.

On this day, we saw 3500 people sacrifice their lives, including 343 FDNY personnel, 23 NYPD and 37 PAPD. On this day we shall “Never Forget.”

Even though this is a baseball publication, the game itself must just be a game. The game did revive a stressed-out nation on 9/11, and baseball symbolizes what America stands for, but on this day we shall “Never Forget.”

This is how I remembered 9/11, with a poem I wrote.

September Rain

Awaken with a boom!

A day of darkness and doom.

September 11th etched in our minds.

Engine “24” sirens wailing at half-past-nine.

Our beautiful towers stricken with a hole.

In a short time dust and dirt looms.

The loss of life, a city in ruins.

We mourn for our heroes…

We will never forget.

We are America rebuilding step-by-step.

Since 9/11, America has gone through changes never seen before because war and terrorism changed the way we live and think. We live in a different world, in a different time. Ever since the attacks of 9/11, people changed for the better. What was it that changed everyone’s attitude? Life, it is meaningful and has purpose. People became nicer, friendlier and more cordial towards each other. Normal citizens joined in at every chance offered. If it just meant handing out water to rescue workers, they did it. If it meant volunteering at different shelters set up, they did it. If it meant shaking a hand, they did it. Strangers worked as a team, worked as a great nation. This is life’s purpose and what it is meant to do, help, react and take action.

The actions of 9/11 certainly made the nation stronger and more confident. No one outside of America can define or change us as a nation. Life is filled with obstacles and it is up to everyone to deal with them positively. The events encountered in life can be stressful and unbearable at times, but we must not give up. If America gets pushed back, we must rebound on our feet, pick up our minds and go on living in a crisis.

We need to take risks and get involved in worthy causes.

We don’t follow, but lead.

America must keep to its ideas and commitment to people – our own people. We are one nation under God. This is life’s purpose and should be the purpose of every nation in the world.