On the day America remembered, with a 7-foot piece of fallen steel from New York City outside Falcon Stadium, Detective Steve Hayden gave a glimpse of his nightmare. 

“That night, when I stopped and began to look around me, I never felt so insignificant as a human being in my life,” Hayden said Saturday, representing the New York Police Department in Sept. 11 ceremonies at the Air Force-Brigham Young football game. 

Hayden and FDNY fireman Ken Haskell were honorary captains in a gripping pregame before an emotion-charged football game. But the guests stayed on message. 

“Being with a military institutiion to commemorate the day we were attacked is a great honor,” Haskell said. “The people we lost that day were the first casualties in the war on terror.” 

The cadet wing marched onto the field and faced the two men, who also took part in the coin toss. Then former Air Force player Chris Gizzi — who led the Green Bay Packers onto the field carry an American flag against the Washington Redskins in the first post-9/11 “Monday Night Football” game — led his alma mater on to the field for the game, carrying an American flag that flew in Afganistan in a place where rubble from the World Trade Center was buried. 

“It felt like it did nine years ago,” Gizzi said. “It felt the same way. It was just such an honor to run out with the flag and be back with my brothers and sisters out here.” 

A flag that flew over Ground Zero, which was supposed to be delivered via parachutists before the game, was delivered to Air Force during the game. High winds prevented that part of the program from being held. 

For Hayden and Haskell, it was their first times representing their departments in such a manner. They were invited by the Post 911 Foundation at Air Force’s request. 

It was Haskell second trip to Colorado Springs. In 2002, he came to town for his brothers, who were honored at the Firefighters Memorial — both were lost in the Twin Towers of the World Trade Center on that terrible day. 

“Today is a bittersweet day,” Haskell said. “It’s a day to remember, I lost over 35 friends, both uniformed and civilian. 

“My brothers died saving other people’s lives. I’m extremely proud of them. I think of them every day. And we’ll be together again some day.”

After the pregame, the men were treated to a football game, in which the home team prevailed, 35-14. Air Force coach Troy Calhoun gave the men, who addressed the team Friday night, a big bear hug after the victory 

“It was a celebration when we went back onto the field,” Gizzi said, recalling 2001. “It wasn’t a somber moment. It’s supposed to be a celebration every time we come out to play the game.”

But in that celebration this day, there was a warning. 

“I do think there’s a little bit of forgetfulness,” Hayden said. “It’s a long engagement, nine years of combat at this point. It’s important for everybody from the East Coast to the West Coast to understand what this is all about. 

“It’s about preserving our way of life as Americans; we need to see this fight through, no matter how long it takes or where it takes us to.”

Air Force wide receiver Jonathan Warzeka, sporting the 9/11 commemorative Stars and Stripes thunderbolt on his helmet, ran for a touchdown against Brigham Young during the second half Saturday at Falcon Stadium. The game was BYU’s last game against Air Force as a member of the Mountain West Conference. Air Force defeated BYU 35-14. Photo by BRYAN OLLER/THE GAZETTE