Veterans Recognized at Seneca Valley Football Opener

"Thank you" was a phrase heard again and again as a group of veterans gathered prior to the Seneca Valley season football opener on Friday for a special recognition night.  

As the men arranged themselves into formation, a few joked about lost marching skills. When the marching band began to play, the veterans entered NexTier Stadium to cheering crowds.  

Earlier in the evening, active military personnel and veterans had joined the Raiders varsity football team for a ceremony to honor the victims of 9/11.  

Veterans of World War II, Korea, Vietnam, the first and second Gulf wars and Afghanistan placed American flag decals on the helmets of each Seneca Valley football player.  

These flags will be worn all season in memory of the thousands of Americans who died on Sept. 11, 2001 in coordinated attacks on the World Trade Center in New York City, the Pentagon in Washington, D.C. and on United the plane that crashed in Shanksville when passengers fought to regain control from hijackers.

The veterans also received free admission, special seating, and parking accommodations for the game.