<p>Some mids were chanting "Four More Years!" when bush strolled in front of them. Are they too busy to read the newspapers or watch the news? Four more years and the grand experiment would be finished!</p>
<p>Experiment???</p>
<p>People calm down. For those who don't know - The Philadelphia airport where AF1 landed is right near the stadium. He didn't fly out of his way at all, just adjusted the flight pattern. Buzzing the stadium was very cool indeed and not uncommon for a CIC at all.</p>
<p>It is tradition for the Commander in Chief to attend the game and completely proper for him to do so. Army cadets and Navy midshipmen - the USCC and US Brigade of Midshipmen at one place at the same time. These young men and women represent the future of our military.
Clinton attended the game while in office - I would be shocked if Obama did NOT attend.<br>
I would not be surprised if Obama buzzed Lincoln Financial Field when he attends as well.</p>
<p>Folks, those of you who were there should realize that football was just part of the "show". Those of you who were not there should save your pennies and make the trip, if you have a son or daughter who is a cadet or mid.</p>
<p>Bush visits West Point tomorrow to speak to the Corps of Cadets, I will ask my Cadet if he buzzes the post.</p>
<p>Indeed, Obama could not afford to not be in attendance. Count on his presence.</p>
<p>As for the Mids and their wishful thinking ...
[quote]
Some mids were chanting "Four More Years!" when bush strolled in front of them. Are they too busy to read the newspapers or watch the news? Four more years and the grand experiment would be finished!
[/quote]
</p>
<p>Prbly a couple things ... </p>
<ol>
<li><p>No matter the politics of it, they collectively perceive Bush and the defeated fellow alum McCain to be genuine, upright men whatever their miscomings, and</p></li>
<li><p>Friends of USNA. And they may perceive the president-elect otherwise.</p></li>
</ol>
<p>
[quote]
No matter the politics of it, they collectively perceive Bush and the defeated fellow alum McCain to be genuine, upright men whatever their miscomings(sic)
[/quote]
</p>
<p>"Perceive" is a good way to describe AWOL bush and legacy McCain.</p>
<p>Can someone with the appropriate credentials explain why Air Force One flew over Lincoln Stadium? Has this ever happened before?</p>
<h2>"Grand Experiment" is a term frequently used by historians to describe the form of government created by the founding fathers who were deeply influenced by the Enlightenment.</h2>
<p>Many midshipmen I’ve spoken with from the Great Class of 2009, are hoping to receive their commissions from President Obama because this is the year for the president to speak at the Naval Academy! However, the son of the defeated Republican presidential candidate will be graduating from USNA this year and the McCains will be sitting with the PARENTS, so I just don’t think President Obama will be handing midshipman McCain and his shipmates their commissions. I’m speculating that President Obama will be speaking at USMA this year. Want to trade the CIC trophy for the CIC awarding commissions??? </p>
<p>Nonetheless, I know that Mrs. Obama frequently met with military families during the presidential campaign. Additionally, President-Elect Obama is firmly committed to supporting our troops AND their families as he has demonstrated by his support of the new GI Bill (John McCain voted AGAINST it) and the incoming administration’s comprehensive plan for Universal Voluntary Citizen Service:</p>
<p>-Enable More Americans to Serve in the Military</p>
<p>-Expand the Military to Meet Needs on the Ground</p>
<p>-Solve Recruitment and Retention Problems</p>
<p>-Rebuild the Military for 21st Century Tasks</p>
<p>-Guarantee Our Ground Forces Have Proper Training</p>
<p>-Ensure the Care and Dignity of Our Troops When They Come Home</p>
<p>-Create a “Green Vet Initiative” (counseling and job placement for vets in the green energy field)</p>
<p>-Lift the Onerous Burdens on Our Troops and Their Families (Americans aren’t fighting this war, the US military and their families are.)</p>
<p>-Create a Military Families Advisory Board</p>
<p>
[quote]
Can someone with the appropriate credentials explain why Air Force One flew over Lincoln Stadium? Has this ever happened before?
[/quote]
</p>
<p>I fail to see what the big deal is here. I have heard of AF1 buzzing the crowd before - I think he did it when he went to a NASCAR race. Regardless, it really isn't an issue.</p>
<p>
[quote]
so I just don’t think President Obama will be handing midshipman McCain and his shipmates their commissions.
[/quote]
Why NOT?
If Obama speaks at USMA instead of USNA it won't be because a McCain is graduating from USNA. Seriously.</p>
<p>Folks - it is time to separate the personality from the Office of the President. Regardless of who is in the Office - your son/daughter is being trained to respect the Office and their CIC. There are certain "job responsibilities" that a CIC has. One of those is traditionally attending the Army/Navy game. This started with Teddy Roosevelt and has been carried on for more than a century. Generally, if the CIC does not attend he sends a representative - i.e. Vice President or Defense Secretary. It is not grandstanding for any CIC to attend the A/N game - on the contrary.</p>
<p>USNA09Mom - please do your homework on the new GI bill and present ALL the facts - not just part of them. McCain did vote on the final bill. He was also instrumental in getting transferability of the bill to family members - this is a part of the bill that many service members will be able to utilitze.</p>
<p>The CIC usually speaks at one SA graduation each year, and does not usually speak back to back at the same SA.</p>
<p>USNA09mom: the CIC are the SA's young men and women's ultimate commander. I give them credit for respecting him no matter what their political beliefs might be. We can all learn from this</p>
<p>You have to give Army credit for the very cool uniforms!! Yes, I am trying to find anything positive in being an Army football fan.</p>
<p>4Giggles - were you at the game? If so how could you not notice the excellent march on by Army? Polished and professional, I say!</p>
<p>grad/dad - agreed. I am also sure they will show the same respect to Obama as CIC.</p>
<p>Yes very cool uniforms - a bit over the top though - would have liked better if only pants had been cammies. Really like (an so did my Mid) the ball caps that the Cadets all had. </p>
<p>Not to get into too much politics - but given what I have read and seen on the President Elect I see no reason why one would think he would not attend a football game in the future. Go to 60 minutes on line and view his interview on November 17 - specifically about college football. Although I do think he is more of a Basketball fan, he does appear to enjoy sports.</p>
<p>Ok lets not go down the path like 2 years ago when we all had the big debate on who marched on better. They march very differently. :)</p>
<p>JustAMom, yes I was there! We missed the march on because they held up traffic getting into where we were parking for the CIC! That stadium is also very confusing. </p>
<p>I am working on getting some of those baseball caps, loved them!!</p>
<p>I was in attendence and also missed march-on. We arrived at 0850 hoping to get into the stadium by the 0930 Navy march-on. Unfortunately secret service was checking everyone, and the Navy march-on actually started earlier than was originally stated. Having seen many of them I was not upset, but felt really bad for the people who had not. I am not sure why the march-ons are held so early for Army-Navy. Two and a half hours before game time seems excessive.</p>
<p>I love our Mids. Still, one would have to be deaf, dumb, blind to suggest that there is much comparison between those who march for a living ..."boots on the ground"... and sailors. It's a ridiculous argument, but then again, love can be blinding. </p>
<p>Jmo, but I loved the Army uniforms. About as cool and appropriate as could be, and literally the only morale booster that had any chance of adrenaline propelling the Black Knights toward respectability. (Guess it didn't work ...:() I thought Navy's were attractive altho not particularly eye-catching, and relatively ho-hum in comparison. The real downer in it all was that they were created by NIKE, whose political leanings are about as far left as it gets.</p>
<p>Now, if someone wants to denounce those silly, antiquated grey cadet capes, I'm with you! Picture 4,000 teenagers going to a madrigal feast of meade and turkey legs. Throwbacks to who knows when! :eek:</p>
<p>About those grey capes - they were designed specifically for the Army/Navy game. Cadets are issued the coats as plebes prior to the game and are authorized to wear them 4 (FOUR) times during their cadet career!</p>
<p>Army uniforms - the opinions seem to vary widely. I was up in the upper deck and though they looked cool but up close I suspect they are a disaster - sort of like a Monet!</p>
<p>No reason was given for change in time for the march on and it was "too early" - here is a video -
America’s</a> Game</p>
<p>Loved the march-ons. Kudo's for that go to USMA- they win hands down! (although will say USNA looked a whole lot better this year as well!) </p>
<p>Uniforms- not sure- I liked the old ones, and I thought the new army cami's looked sort of commical and out of place- then again, the gridiron is a battlefield in and of itself- as for Navy's, sort of the same thing- not so sure I like the new ones- miss the color of the old. But loved the football, so if the new uniforms work better, so be it.</p>
<p>Coats: did you know that the Cadet Capes are still made right at USMA? yup- for over a hundred years now! As for Navy: love the blue, but can't wait until they are all the same and not a mix-match of wool and gortex- nice to see them reverting back to the former which can be used in the fleet.</p>
<p>AirForce 1: lots can be said about shoulda, woulda, coulda, but personally, I loved that they flew over (or within eyesight) of the arena- it added to the festivities, and what an honor! It reminded me that there is NOTHING like Army-Navy Football- ANYWHERE! Even the superbowl doesn't get a nod from AF1!!!! Cool doesn't even begin to describe the thrill of seeing that plane flying overhead!</p>
<p>Pranks: the army one was pretty funny (you have to admit), and I am sure they got the nod from someone, somewhere- and afterall, they had to get Navy back for the time they put that cannon on top of the barricks (heard it took Army a week to get it down!) ... no harm, no foul in my book- and I give them a "10" for creativity!</p>
<p>Great game- lots of fun, and how proud can we be of all of our young men and women who walk this path! It was an amazing site!</p>
<p>navy2010 - that was a very sweet post.</p>
<p>I have to admit - I hardly watched the game at all, even though I got my cadet there for 7:30 formation and stayed for the singing.</p>
<p>My favorite moment was seeing her meet up with some mids that she went to MMI with. Got a fabulous picture of 4 cadets and 4 mids all smiling! They were all so happy to have a mini-reunion and compare notes!
A female mid and male cadet switched covers and I wish I had taken a picture of them strolling on the concourse side by side.
I had the honor after the game of taking to dinner a Navy mid who was a classmate of my daughter last year. They looked great strolling around center city in their uniforms - they both got many interesting looks and comments! We had a lovely meal and were entertained by many Army/Navy stories and comparisons.</p>
<p>You never know where the President will speak until it is announced, and even then . . . Going back many years, I believe that President Reagan only spoke at USNA once in his 8 yrs. Happened to be my year . . . However, we were told that, if the ceremony was held indoors due to weather, we would get SecNav and not the president. Lukcily, weather was good.:)</p>
<p>Whoever said it's not back-to-back is right -- I've never seen that. And, you have to add USMMA and USCGA to the mix. Thus, in a four-year team, the Pres might not even make it to all SAs. I'm not even sure the Pres always speaks at one of the SAs, although I think he generally does. It's really neat if he speaks at your graduation -- and even better if you like whomever the President happens to be at the time. But like so much in the military, you have zero control over it, so no use worrying about it.</p>
<p>"Perceive" is a good way to describe AWOL bush and legacy McCain."</p>
<p>Statements like this have no place on this forum. If you even bothered to look at the topic, it was FOOTBALL. Not politics, not your perceptions of past servicemembers, but football.</p>