Patriots' Day 2012: What It Means to Boston Faithful

Bostonians know Patriots' Day as more than a holiday. It is Marathon Day, a day the Red Sox always play an early game at home and a day we celebrate heroic battles from Lexington and Concord in the revolutionary war. A day that has become one of the most beloved sports day in New England.

On every third Monday of April, the streets of Boston are flooded with 18th century memorabilia and costumes. The beer and sausage guzzled and chewed by 9:00 AM on Yawkey Way, and Marathoners are on their way to the finish of a 26.2 mile journey.

The history and celebration of this holiday is quite empowering, as many newcomers to the Boston area have embraced the city's rich tradition.

Former manager Jimy Williams, who had been raised in central California, could recite to you the passage inscribed on the famous Minuteman statue in Concord. Multiple wives of Red Sox players used to compete in the marathon—Shonda Schilling, Kathryn Nixon and Dawn Timlin to name a few.

This special day, fun for everyone, is possibly no more fun than for a Red Sox fan.

The day starts early, with reenactments of Concord, Lexington and Paul Revere. The streets are crowded and upbeat right from get go. Around 9:00 AM, the Fenway faithful flock to Yawkey Way to get their share of ball park food and expensive beer while surrounding themselves with everything Red Sox.

As the day stretches on, Boston becomes engulfed with sports. If you are not enjoying the Red Sox, you are watching the marathon. If you are doing neither, well then you may not be a Boston sports fan to begin with.

Once the Red Sox game ends, there will most likely be time to hurry and catch the final miles of the marathon as the leaders will begin crossing the finish line.

With all the sports hype and activities, it is important to remember what Patriots' Day really means. It is a day about resilience. Fighting for what you believe in. Never giving up.

We can compare this with quite a few moments in Boston sports history.

In 2004, the Red Sox never gave in to the New York Yankees—mounting one of the greatest comebacks of all time.

Red Sox nation endured one of the most painful droughts in sports history, yet the faith grew stronger with each losing season. Always standing behind the players and their beloved team, believing year in and year out that they would make things right by winning a championship—much like the support our men fighting at Concord and Lexington received, trying to make things right despite the heartbreak.

The Boston Celtics have redefined resilience this year, being dubbed old and ordinary yet they've been surprising stronger, more powerful teams like the Miami Heat time and again.

Of course, these comparisons are dramatic and in no way do sports compare to war, but the message is still there. Boston instills the meaning of Patriots' Day through every team representing us fans.

We never lose faith. We never lack support. We persevere through the toughest of situations. We are the patriots in the world of sports. We are the Boston faithful.