Here We Go into the Wild Blue Yonder
After a recent trip to the Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, I adopt the Air Force Falcons as my new football team. Just so happens my beloved Falcons are invading the Navy Midshipmen, my second recently adopted favorite team. I have no strong affiliation to either program, as I did not serve in the military, but I absolutely love what these two proud institutions represent.
I am absolutely thrilled when my girlfriend arranges a surprise trip to the game in Annapolis as a birthday present. I’ve longed to see an armed forces game in person. Seeing the cadets in their dress uniforms and all the pageantry on TV just seems really cool and lands as a bucket list must-do.
Navy and Air Force are meeting on the gridiron for the 52nd time as they square off at Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium in the first leg in the battle for the Commander-In-Chiefs Trophy.
The Commander-In-Chiefs Trophy is presented annually to the winner of the football competition among the three major service academies” Army, Navy, and Air Force ” and is named in honor of the President of the United States. Navy has won the trophy 10 of the last 16 years and has won 25 of the last 33 Service Academy games against Air Force and Army West Point. Despite that recent stellar record for Navy football, my Falcons are a 3 point favorite today.
The Navy-Marine Memorial stadium seats 34,000 in such it is intimate and cozy much like any other smaller college atmosphere. The aromas wafting from the tailgaters are the standard fare of hotdogs and hamburgers, but they also elevate the game a bit with feasts of crab cakes and grilled blue crabs.
Let the Battle Begin
Anticipation builds as soon as we enter the stadium grounds and a face-off the bands is underway. The Falcons Drum and Bugle Corps is excitedly playing “Here We Go into the Wild Blue Yonder” only to face a raucous retort of “Anchors Away” from the Naval band! These bands continue to challenge each other and the atmosphere is just electric. It is exciting to be able to mingle in the midst of the action and I can feel each drum beat vibrate my soul and moisten my eyes from an unexpected tear of emotion. The 30-minute show concludes with both sides laughing and high fiving each other.
Anchors Away
A pregame tradition is for the Navy Midshipman to march from the Naval academy into the stadium. The March-On of the Brigade of Midshipmen is not without controversy this year. It has been requested by Naval Commanders to not throw food or snacks at the midshipman as they march by. What has started as a show of respect to give the enlisted candy has grown a little rowdier as fans throw other “treats”. It has to be tough enough keeping those uniforms white without trying to remove a stain from a mustard laced soft pretzel or ketchup laden hotdog connecting with a crisply pressed, dress white, cotton uniform.
A brigade of hundreds of Midshipman fills the field. With the color guard now front and center, a heartwarming rendition of the National Anthem is performed. I can hardly sit still as I know what’s coming next. I am swiveling my head from one end of the field to the other looking for the traditional flyover. Finally, on the horizon, I spot them. (2) two Boeing F/A-18F Super Hornets from the Blacklion based out of Naval Air Station Oceana, Virginia Beach. There is no mistaking a fighter jet from any other type of aircraft. These things scream and roar at the same time. I feel the stadium vibrating below my feet. It is a chill-inducing, and yet another tear-jerking experience. I’m glad these guys are on my side.
But wait, there’s more
No more do the Superhonets scream overhead does our attention then turn to spot The Navy Leap Frogs. The Leap Frogs is the official parachute demonstration team of the United States Navy. Part of the United States Naval Special Warfare Command. The Leap Frogs Navy Parachute Team is made up of active-duty Navy SEALs, Special Warfare Combatant-craft Crewmen (SWCC) and support personnel. Their ariel maneuvers elicit roars from the crowd as they land midfield with pinpoint accuracy
After the much-anticipated pomp and pageantry of the pregame, I couldn’t have been more pleased. It is everything I had envisioned. The kickoff and subsequent game is a bit anti-climatic and we don’t find much to cheer for as the Navy Midshipmen lead for the entire first half.
The second half starts as a bit of a snoozer for the Falcons and our attention wanders to the raucous home team crowd and Navy Goat mascots across the field. The end zone of the stadium is a grassy knoll and fans can pretty much wander wherever they want. It’s all about the atmosphere and not so much about loyalty to the team at this point. So we go to join the revelry of our opponents.
We round the end zone to hear a cannon BOOM! representing yet another Navy touchdown as a flood of cadets fill the end zone to knock out 27 push-ups (matching the current score). I can’t help but feel a little happy for the home team crowd, they are having a blast.
Fear the Goat
The Navy has a long term affinity for the goat. Dating back to the early days of maritime expeditions. They accompany many expeditions as they are small, eat little and provide dairy and meat. Not to mention function as a garbage disposal too. After a goat finds its way into the stadium in the 1800’s for a Navy football victory over Army, does the horned one become the beloved mascot of the team. Needless to say, Bill the Goat as a mascot, is featured everywhere.
Despite a valiant 4th quarter push, the Falcons will go down to defeat this afternoon 34-25. At risk of sounding cliche, there are no losers today. Despite donning Air Force fan gear and plopped in the middle of Navy football fans there is a sense of comradery. The players, parents, and fans recognize that these young men and women have more at stake than the points on the scoreboard.
When not on the road, he helps others fulfill their yearning to travel as a Membership Specialist for Thousand Trails.
Glad you had a great time….I can identify with the moisture in the eyes when the National Anthem and other patriotic things are being done. You are a great storyteller, continue to enrapture us with your tales and adventures!
Thank you Trinket. It was an amazing experience. The story just kinda told itself.
This is great!