As the Bus Captain of our SPPA NAVY Football Fan Bus Trip, I am pleased to say that we were completely sold out of all of our bus seats, as well as our stand alone tickets. We also had the pleasure to have three Air Force Families accompany us on board. As a club benefit, current members of SPPA, riders received subsidized tickets, while others were pleased to pay the regular pricing.
In advance of the Game, our riders were treated to a Special Tailgate Party, and a surprise visit by the enthusiastic Drum and Bugle Corp featuring their own musical arrangements.
Within minutes of singing the "Navy Blue and Gold", the focus was once again back to the COMBINED TAILGATE area with many signs overhead, welcoming the hungry MIDS. At first glance, the serving area appears like an attractive midway, with many tents running on both sides of the extremely well staffed serving lines. It was great food as far as you see! Salads, burgers, hot dogs, fried chicken, pulled pork, meat balls galore, varieties of hot and cold pasta, many types of potatoes and items too numerous to mention. And then on to the tables of deserts!Jim Carlson wrote this wonderful recap of the day...
For all of you parents who were unable to be in Annapolis yesterday, here are some things that you missed....
- It was a BEAUTIFUL day - sun, +70s and a light breeze. One of those days where you'd want to be outside, even if there wasn't a football game!
- On our drive down from PA, there were a few trees changing there colors, but it will take a few more weeks to paint the landscape. But it was nice to see the start of the season.
- As it was a 3:30 game, tailgating was in full swing. The smells and sights of the pre-game parking lot activities. Good attitudes, not rowdy.
- Our tailgate was visited by the D&B, who we applauded for their winning their competition over Air Force and Coast Guard that morning! What a way to get ready for a football game!!!
- The march-in was impressive (again). We were attending with our son and a friend who also graduated from USNA in '08 and they were excited to see the march in from the stands (a first for them!!). I hadn't thought about that!
- The AF Falcon and Navy Bill had an impromptu pushup contest, which the bird won.
- The fly over came exactly on time when Navy was running out on the field. It was a great fly over!!! Close enough to feel it! You don't get to experience that too often, or often enough!
- The Navy cannon that is shot off to mark the end of the quarters and for Navy scores was either brand new or polished so well that it looked new!
- The star spangled banner was lead by the Navy Glee Clubs and the whole stadium joined in. Nice.. very NICE!!! There was a gentleman, 5 rows behind us, who had a beautiful voice and shared it with us. It was a voice that even if it wasn't loud, you could hear it. It was like his baritone voice was highlighted and we were part of the choir. I am so glad we were sitting where we did!
- We sat directly across the field from the midshipmen in the upper section that had both Navy and Air Force Fans. We enjoyed that perspective. We had great seats to the plays, without even checking out the jumbotron, except for replays!
- We were able to hear the roar of Midshipmen when they were cheering on our team, or was it the roar to intimidate Air Force ;-) . Our section had people cheering for every good/bad play, based on their favorite team. Good sportsmanship was shown by all.
- At the end of the game when it was time to sing the alma maters, the stadium was still full, but was still. Sitting in a mixed Navy/Air Force section we enjoyed hearing theirs too. And to make it even more special, that wonderful baritone was an Air Force Grad/Fan and sang it proudly. When the AF song was through, we all turned and applauded him.
He smiled. The singing of the Blue & Gold from across the field was beautiful and we all added our "BEAT ARMY" before we cleared the stands.
- We are members of the Southeastern Pennsylvania Parents Association and cooperate with the New Jersey and Maryland Parents club in after game tailgating for ALL Midshipmen. For those who have never seen this operation, it is a big deal!!! Grills, buffet tables, chairs and tables, miles of aluminum foil, a hundred sterno cans, trucks and trailers.. there was even a live band!!.... I could go on and on.. but the end result are two lines of home cooked food with a whole section just for desserts and no alcoholic beverages!!! The 3 local parents group hosts tailgates for Midshipmen from all states. There were even some smart Air Force Cadets yesterday that were welcomed. The parents groups serve 20% food and 80% love!! I heard that yesterday they served over 1000 Mids! That is a lot of food and even more love!!! I saw two plebes in the dessert line choosing wisely and filling their plate with home cooked goodies. I smiled and said "Just like home, huh?" Okay parents.. don't kill the messenger... the reply was "BETTER!" then a big smile. lol
- OH... yeah.. there was a football game thing that happened yesterday too.... There are articles all over the internet about the game, so I won't duplicate that.. but the big thing around here is that Joe Buckley is from Downingtown!! GO JOE!!!
Jim Carlson
Bryan 08 Submarines - Sub School, Groton CT. Assigned to the USS
Dallas-SSN700
Downingtown PA
