historical LenseThis afternoon I will be watching the 122d meeting of the Army-Navy Game. Members of my family have graduated from the United States Naval Academy since 1944 (and one is hoping to attend with the class of 2029) so clearly I root–loudly–for Navy. But I was taught early on–like at age five–that at the end of the game, both Midshipman and Cadets, stand together. They are brothers in arms. The are all Americans. It is a wonderful display of the best of the US.

I’ve watched the game since 1957, through all sorts of serious issues both domestic and foreign. At the end of the game, people in the stands stood there quietly as both teams moved over to the side of the looser, and together sang the song of their alma mater, and then jogged back to the winning side, and again, both of them sang their alma mater. Ofter there were groups of Congressmen and Senators, cabinet members, and diplomats, standing there next to veterans, active duty military, and people who simply loved the game. There was no arguing about current issues. No snide comments. We were all Americans. Sadly in the recent past that attitude seems to have changed. From Congress to family members. And it’s not changed for the better. I hope that people on both sides can truly pay attention to the REAL meaning of the game.

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