Air Force vs Navy

Continuing the tradition that the Taylors and Staceys started last year, we had Mini Family Reunion 2.0 in Colorado Springs last week. Like last time, the ostensible main event was a college football game, but since Andrew was in London, we got tickets to the Air Force vs Navy game. Chris has a cousin who graduated from the Naval Academy (and is now in the Marines), and another cousin in the Navy, so it was at least somewhat relevant.

After the pig roast from last year, tailgating this year was rather tame in comparison, but it was a lovely day. Here's Falcon Stadium, as we were walking in.

And here's the obligatory fly-over. I think these were WWII era planes. Later we got a fly-over by four awesome jets, though I don't remember exactly what they were. I remember hearing the announcer saying "eagles" so maybe they were F-15s? Anyways, pretty cool.

There was a lot of pomp and ceremony before the game too, which was nifty to watch. A bunch of cadets from Air Force (and some from Navy too!) marched onto the field led by various Cadet Colonels whose names and hometowns were announced over the loudspeaker.

The Air Force was wearing green flight suits, and the Navy was wearing white. The football players for Air Force were wearing interesting uniforms too; all the shirts either said "Freedom" or "Service" on the back – no names.

Possibly the coolest piece of minutia (for someone who holds a personal best of 13 push-ups in a minute), was seeing how buff and fit all the cadets were. Whenever Air Force scored, a couple dozen members from the stands had to get out on the field and do a push-up for every point. Of course, the final score was only 14-6, but but DANG they were FAST. Made me wonder what my life would be like if I'd gone to a military academy.

The synchronized cheering was awesome too; they were way more loud and organized than any student section I'd seen (which is admittedly not many, but still). I think my favorite was a "YOU-CAN'T, DO-THAT" chant (you know, that same sing-song chant that people do "LET'S-GO, RED-SOX" to). Air Force did that one when Navy got a penalty.

Anyways, fun weekend, lots of great food and company, and some pretty hiking around Garden of the Gods. The extra red blood cells and motivational push-up watching helped me have a good workout at the gym on Monday too!