Navy Wins, But Army Scores Big for the past four years, members of the Naval Academy Class of 1972, 27th Company have hosted Wounded Warriors and Marines at the Army-Navy Football Game in appreciation for their service to our country.
All gave some, some gave all.
Known as Cost of Freedom weekend, each honored guest invites a family member or friend to experience a weekend with the classmates with an emphasis on honor, courage, and commitment, the core values of both the Navy and Marine Corps.
The weekend begins on Friday evening in the Presidential Suite with a structured but informal evening of sharing experiences both on and off the battlefield, an opportunity for classmates, soldiers, marines, friends, and family to form a bond that lasts longer than the weekend.
This year, 2009, a Cost of Freedom video was created to encapsulate the true meaning of why we are there. Friday evening ends with a Pep Rally (Go Navy, Beat Army in spite of our Army guests) followed by everyone singing Proud to be an American unifying the forces as we are all one before and after the actual football game.
Saturday morning brings everyone Leave No One Behind (approximately 60 in total) to Lincoln Field for a 4 RV tailgate party setup by a retired Navy Captain and his wife, who love our Soldiers and Marines. They leave out a glass jar to help injured Marines through the Semper Fi Fund, and this year netted over $1000 from our group.
Our honored guests then proceed to the game to enjoy it from corporate seats, often times having a special guest stop by to visit. This year Roger Staubach, Tom Lynch, Skip Orr, and others greeted the wounded veterans, making them feel special and appreciated. Additionally, John Feinstein, author of Civil War: The Army-Navy Football Game dropped by to sign books for each of them.
In addition to the fly-bys of military aircraft, parachute teams that deliver the game ball, cadets and midshipmen in service dress uniform, there is a deep mutual admiration felt throughout the stadium from opening kickoff to the final moments of Navy Blue and Gold, instilling in player and spectator alike, that sense of honor we have all come to know through experience.
The evening pulls the weekend together in a more formal ballroom setting. We begin with a Candle lighting ceremony, candles simultaneously lit by honored guests (experience) and invited children (our future), passing to future generations lessons learned about courage, selflessness, and determination.
One candle is lit by the mother of a son killed in action, in memory of all that have given the ultimate sacrifice.
One special gift given to each wounded Soldier and Marine is a signed football by the members of their affiliated team (Army or Navy.) Priceless!
By the end of the weekend, there is a profound higher level of further understanding, healing, respect, and appreciation through the honest and open sharing of the men and women that participated. The goal is to make a difference in the lives of a few that they might carry the message forward. It works.
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Army Navy 2009 part1.movby oakie88512 views
God Bless the men and women of the US armed forces
Jayman7053 2 years ago