What Makes America Great?

By Dennis Lormel

Sports, commitment, work ethic, virtue, integrity, honor, patriotism…All of those denominators were present on Saturday afternoon in Philadelphia. To say I’m a sports fanatic is an understatement. There are a select group of sporting events during the course of the year that cannot be missed as far as I’m concerned. The annual Army Navy football game tops the list.

The Army Navy football game epitomizes the spirit of true sports competition. It is honest, fair and virtuous. The players are consumed by the rivalry and honor of representing their respective academies. They are also dedicated to the fraternal brotherhood of fellowship of service to their country. They exhibit a distinct sense of sportsmanship and duty unrivaled in any other amateur sporting event.
It may not be the best athletic event, but it is a stirring patriotic experience in every sense of the word.

Prior to the game, each Academy’s Corps of Cadets marches into the stadium to take their place in the stands. Throughout the game, there are camera shots of the Cadets in the stands, as well as cameo shots of Army and Navy units stationed around the world cheering for their team in a sense of good natured fun and competition. The symbolism of the event displayed through the players, students and service personnel is inspirational.

The most compelling moment isn’t the outcome of the game, but the ceremony that follows its conclusion. Tradition dictates that both teams go to the Corps of Cadets for each Academy and stand at attention while the respective school song is played. They start on the sideline of the losing team and then cross the field to the winning team’s sideline. The pure emotion of the moment is overwhelming.

Every year as I watch this ceremony and look into the faces of the players and cadets, I am brought to tears. The honesty, integrity and dedication to team, school, fellow service academy and country is heartwarming and is a moment that makes one proud to be an American. This is particularly true since many of these young adults face the prospect of defending our country through deployment to Iraq and other dangerous venues.

Wouldn’t life be great if young people who grow up in environments influenced or controlled by Hezbollah, Hamas, Al Qaeda and other hate mongers could grow up with the attributes of honesty and virtue?

Wouldn’t it be wonderful if these children could experience true virtue rather than being force fed hatred? One thing was certain Saturday at the conclusion of the Army Navy football game…America is great!

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