LANDOVER, Md. — Beams of light streaked toward the sky from the Pentagon, 184 in all, a silent tribute to each person who died there in the Sept. 11 attacks. Fifteen miles away, across the Potomac River in suburban Washington, the scene was decidedly more noisy, star-spangled and raucous — and no less poignant.

Chanting "U-S-A! U-S-A!" and waving tens of thousands of American flags, football fans turned Fedex Field into a fluttering sea of patriotic fervor Monday night in a ceremony before the game between the Washington Redskins and Minnesota Vikings. More than 90,000 flags were distributed at the stadium before the game, and the Joint Military Chorus performed the national anthem.

Similar scenes played out all across the country, as baseball and football stadiums marked the fifth anniversary of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks with flags, flyovers and moments of silence.

While almost every Redskins fan came dressed for football, there were several signs honoring those who died in and responded to the terrorist attacks on Sept. 11, 2001. One fan held up a Pat Tillman jersey, honoring the former Arizona Cardinals defensive back who joined the military after the attacks and was killed in Afghanistan.

"It's a great event to be loyal to your country and loyal to your team," longtime season-ticket holder Ann Ewell said before heading into the stadium. Another fan seated in the end zone held a sign with the words "We Shall Never Forget" along with drawings of the Twin Towers and Pentagon.

While the players were not on the field for the ceremony, Washington receiver David Patten fired up the crowd by waving a flag after the players were introduced.

Nine games were on the baseball schedule, including the New York Mets at Miami. Mets and Marlins players wore seven different caps, honoring the first responders and others who worked the rescue effort at the World Trade Center.

"We remember with great fondness and admiration the heroic efforts of those — the firefighters, the policemen and women, and the health care workers — who risked their lives to help and save those who were in harm's way," baseball commissioner Bud Selig said. "It is not a day none of us will ever forget, nor should we."

In Pittsburgh, more than 50 United Flight 93 family members attended the Pirates' game. A video tribute honored the passengers and crew members who thwarted a possible attack on the nation's capital by causing the plane to crash in a field in Shanksville, Pa., east of Pittsburgh.

"The passengers of Flight 93 won their battle against terrorism," the video's voiceover said. "As grateful citizens, we are inspired by the courage of your loved ones, and we pray their heroic sacrifice will inspire others."

In Atlanta, Braves players went in the stands after batting practice and signed autographs for a minimum donation of $5. The money will be donated to the World trade Center Memorial Fund.

"I don't think any of us really realized the magnitude of what was going on until we drove into that city that first night," said Chipper Jones of the Braves, who played in the first game at Shea Stadium after the attacks. "There was a haze over the city from miles away. Everybody was walking around like zombies."

Braves manager Bobby Cox also remembered that visit to New York.

"It was a sad day," he said. "The city was empty. Our hotel was empty. But it was a sold-out night at Shea. It was a very exciting night, a very patriotic feel."