???Thursday night, members of the Buffalo community were made aware of the awful accident in Clarence Center. The tragedy surrounding the crash of Continental Connection Flight 3407 was almost unfathomable to anyone who heard about the incident.
???The City of Buffalo has always been looked at negatively. Ranging from the Super Bowls lost in the '90s to the image of being a snowy hell, Buffalo has always been shrouded in negativity.
???This crash, at first glimpse, would seem to follow that trend.
???While I still get tears in my eyes thinking about the final seconds for those 50 individuals who lost their lives in the incident, I know that they did not die in vain.
???The immediate response from concerned individuals proved that. Only in a city like Buffalo would the community embrace itself in such a way that wouldn't have mattered if one person or 100 people would have been on that plane.
???If you didn't know someone who was on that plane, you most certainly knew someone who did. That's the beauty of this city - we are all connected in one way or another.
???We will get through this tragedy. It will be tough and painful, but this city is the best one to be in those shoes.
???Friday night's Buffalo Sabres game was truly an example of that.
The Buffalo Sabres played the San Jose Sharks in a game that, at one point, was nearly postponed by the NHL. For Sabres players and personnel, many who live seconds from the crash site, the decision was easy.
"I think that people want to be with other people at times like this," said Sabres managing partner Larry Quinn. "I think it does have a nice community purpose to it."
???The 18,690 fans at HSBC Arena found comfort in Buffalo's 6-5 shootout win against a Stanley Cup favorite, particularly because of how the Sabres played when things weren't looking so good.
???With four seconds left, Jason Pominville deflected a shot past Evgeni Nabokov, catapulting the Sabres into overtime, which led to Derek Roy's game-winning goal in the shootout. The fashion was fitting for a community that is bruised with tragedy.
???In the final minute of regulation, the Sabres seemed battered and bruised like Buffalonians were after initial news reports broke on the crash. Nonetheless, they persevered and, in the end, united and stood tall.
???While we are only in the preliminary stages of the investigation beyond the crash, community support has exceeded expectations as Western New Yorkers wait for answers. Vigils and memorials have shown the outpouring of support that has already come, and it only hints at what is to come in the future.
???In due time, answers will be given as to why those 50 souls lost their lives on that tragic night. Until then, Western New Yorkers will mourn the fallen, celebrate their legacies and be thankful that we didn't lose any more of our brothers or sisters.
???The Sabres game on Friday night was a great showing of what this community is all about. Now, in the aftermath of the most devastating tragedy in the history of Western New York, we must follow in their footsteps and stay united.
???We can do this. It will be an uphill battle, but whom better to do it than each and every one of us?
???Let's go, Buffalo.
Photo: Courtesy of Laron Fomby
