<p>“USA</a> WEEKEND, the nation’s second-largest magazine with more than 22 million in circulation as distributed in 600 U.S. newspapers, is carrying on in its tradition of presenting positive, heartfelt cover stories about our men and women serving overseas such as this one:</p>
<p>This year, WEEKEND seeks to do a special holiday-timed cover story for 11/25/07 that will celebrate the great tradition of the Army-Navy football game, as illustrated by great stories about their own special game experiences as presented by men and women currently serving in the Army and Navy (whether stateside, or in Iraq, Afghanistan, Europe or wherever else our men and women serving are stationed.) We'd seek good, heartfelt stories about attending or participating in a past game (and, by participation, WEEKEND means as a player, coaching person, team manager, statistician, band member, cheering section person, support in any way with logistics, etc.) Maybe someone met a future spouse somehow as related to the game and/or events before/after game? Maybe a player who rarely made it on the field made a memorable play? Maybe the game represented one of the last moments between an Academy member and a parent or loved one? We have a feeling that there are all kinds of great stories about the game - both on and off the field. The stories could be humorous ones too, speaking to the rivalry and/or pranks and/or misadventures and/or a wager (not cash necessarily, but a 'fun' wager like those between mayors before the Super Bowl) as related to the game. Please send your story summary by email— no attachments please — to Dennis McCafferty, the senior writer at WEEKEND who oversees all magazine coverage of the military. Dennis may be emailed directly at <a href="mailto:dmccaffe@usaweekend.com">dmccaffe@usaweekend.com</a>. Dennis says the story summaries need not be formal or fancy — he’s just looking for good ideas for now. He will follow up on those that look the most promising for inclusion in the cover feature spread.</p>
<p>Please keep in mind that the story of a person serving now in Armed Forces who simply ATTENDED an Army-Navy Game or series of Army-Navy games is perfectly fine. We’re not looking for only players and ‘game support’ type people.</p>
<p>Here was a recent response received that is a very nice summary and story from a current Army officer and one I’d expect we’ll use. As you can see, this doesn’t have to be long, formal or fancy. Just a good story:</p>
<p>In 1982, I was a junior and we lost to Navy in Phila at the Vet (Believe it was Thanksgiving weekend). After the game I went to the Stadium Hilton to relax with my cousin. I met my future mother-in-law in the restaurant. She was gloating about Navy victory since her son was at Navy. As we talked, she showed me a picture of her family. I asked her if I could write to her eldest daughter, Sue. She said sure. I wrote her a note and waited a month for a return message. I was taking my last final prior to Christmas break (6pm -10pm) and decided to check my mail one last time. So I trudged through about 4-6 inches of new fallen snow. Lo and behold there was a letter from Sue stating that she would go out with me over the holidays. So after that blind date, the rest is history. We got married right after graduation in 1984 and we have 3 sons together.</p>
<p>Deadline: I’ll be collecting these stories for a couple of months, but I suggest no later than May 15th. Please don’t delay if you have a good one to tell. Once we feel like we have enough for a cover spread, I’ll be focused on the next step of the process (getting photographs and such).</p>
<p>For background: USA WEEKEND is the nation’s second-largest magazine, distributed in 600 American newspapers, with 22.7 million in circulation and more than 50 million readers each week. (The circulation is larger than that combined of Vanity Fair, ESPN, Rolling Stone, Entertainment Weekly, Oprah, Newsweek, People, Time, Sports Illustrated and US News & World Report.) Newspapers carrying WEEKEND include the New York Daily News, the Los Angeles Daily News, the Arizona Republic, Indianapolis Star, the Denver Post, the Chicago Sun-Times and the Detroit News. Newsday, in fact, has picked us up. Interview subjects for cover stories and features have included President Bush and First Lady Bush, Secretary of State Colin Powell, Clint Eastwood, Meryl Streep, Al Pacino, Russell Crowe, REM, Coldplay, George Strait, Toby Keith, Cal Ripken Jr., Dale Earnhardt, Dale Earnhardt Jr., Tony Stewart, Peyton Manning, Donovan McNabb and Tiger Woods.”</p>
<p>Best,
Dennis McCafferty
Senior Writer
USA WEEKEND Magazine</p>
<p><a href="mailto:dmccaffe@usaweekend.com">dmccaffe@usaweekend.com</a></p>