Iowa State will recognize the 20-year anniversary of 9/11 before Saturday’s Cy-Hawk football game at Jack Trice Stadium.
AMES, Ia. — Chase Allen noticed something 20 years ago. He was 4 years old, not too young to sense something wasn’t right. “There was a sudden shift in the way the grown-ups were acting,” the Iowa State tight end said. Obviously, he was too young to comprehend that thousands of lives were being lost during the terrorist attacks on 9/11. He knew, however, that his parents — like parents throughout the United States and the world — were paying more attention than usual to the television throughout that Tuesday that changed America. “I might be one of the last guys playing that remembers it,” said Allen,24. “Some of the guys here now weren’t even born when it happened.” Let’s not take for granted when Iowa State recognizes the historical day before Saturday’s Cy-Hawk football game. Ditch the trash-talking for a few minutes. In that moment, remind yourself that the outcome of the 3:30 p.m. game at Jack Trice Stadium means less than the significance of what happened just a few days 20 years. More: Iowa native who survived Pentagon attack on 9/11 reflects on day Take a few moments to reflect about what happened on Sept.11,2001. Think about how that tragic act affected you then. Think about how it affects you today While watching two Blackhawk helicopters and a Vietnam-era Huey fly over the stadium. During the moment of silence. While viewing a steel beam from one of the World Trade Center towers. While walking around the recreation fields, east of the stadium, to see a «Field of Flags,» that includes one flag from each country of origin for each of the nearly 3,000 9/11 victims. And then sit back and enjoy a wonderful game that, for the first time in Cy-Hawk football history, includes top 10 teams per the Associated Press poll, and top 12 teams on the coaches’ poll. “Selfless acts of others to help strangers during a time of those horrific events,” the Super Senior and former walk-on from Des Moines East High School told me. “My mind goes to the communities that came together to help one another without blinking an eye, to the first responders who did everything they can to save lives and spent countless days with search and rescue, and the way the country came together to morn and support one another.” Walling added the quote from former President George W.
