The first one in my family to have special memories of the game was my older sister, Mim, who was a guest of Ambassador Kintner, back when she was a young lass. What an experience, to go with to an epic football game with a dignitary! She had great stories to share about the indescribable sight of Army Grey & Navy Blue filling Franklin Field (long gone; now they play at Lincoln Financial Field).
John & I have our own special moments associated with the game on our special overnight at the Bellevue the same weekend of the game; delighted it was Navy headquarters, with dozens of admirals & their ladies, dignitaries & celebrities staying there. High spirits rocketed when Navy won!
John has his own special Army-Navy Game memories. Several times, one of his clients put together a special train of privately owned railroad cars, hitched 'em up to an Amtrak train, and headed down to D.C.'s Union Station, where he picked up ambulatory patients from Bethesda & Walter Reed and transported them up to the game, wining & dining them en route, with a special seating section at the game. He always has John do the artwork for the event, including posters. John got to ride down on the trip to D.C. (imagine all those empty cars), then back to Philadelphia on its return home. How I longed to stow away!!!
Even if you can't get tickets (VERY limited, but no harm trying), it's fun to be in Center City on Army-Navy Weekend. There's a supercharged energy and LOTS of young midshipmen, cadets, and officers all over the place. The game is about tradition & honoring those who serve, past & present - that sense is everywhere throughout the weekend.
Dec 6 ~ ~ ~Army-Navy Swim Meet: Before meeting head-to-head on the football field, the two academies will go stroke-to-stroke in a swim meet at the Salvation Army Kroc Center Warm up is at 4 p.m., meet starts at 6:00 p.m. Thursday, Dec 6 (free - check online for availability)
Dec. 7 ~ ~ Army-Navy Pep Rally: Kids are sure to get into the spirit as the rivals amp up the energies around the competition! Head over to Liberty Place, where fans will get fired up by cheerleaders & pep bands revving up spirits for the next day's Big Game!! The always fabulous Shops at Liberty Place will be even more enticing, with Army-Navy Game merchandise (great Christmas present!) available throughout the rally. Noon, Liberty Place (16th & Chestnut). Friday, Dec 7 (free)
Game Day - Dec 8
Army-Navy Tailgate: Game Day, from noon-2 p.m., the well-connected will have a blast at a special all-you-can-eat VIP tailgate at Citizens Bank Park’s Hall of Fame Club. $65 gets you plenty of Philly cuisine - not haute, but hot (cheesesteaks, hoagies & hot dogs) - beer, wine, soda, and more.
THE GAME: There's more riding on this year's outcome than ever - for the first time since 2005, the Commander-in-Chief's trophy ~ given to the winner of the round robin played out among the nation’s service academies ~ will be awarded to the team that wins the Army/Navy bout. (Hopes are high for Army - the last time they won it was in 1996.) Kick off is scheduled for 3 p.m., but gates open at 11 a.m. - fans are strongly encouraged to arrive early.
BROADCAST
Can't get tickets? The game will be televised nationally by CBS and carried worldwide by Westwood One and Armed Forces Radio. In Philadelphia, game will be broadcast live on CBS-3 TV and 97.5 The Fanatic.
Navy Blue FOREVER!!
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