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Share Your Memories AF-Army Football.
I recall an awesome F-111 flyby '95 or '96. Four ship over the stadium in burner! Sound of freedom and the smell of JP8 was perfect.
Rick Mraz, '82
It's been 25 years, but as a firstie I was busy concentrating on grades yet somehow got to go to West Point and be part of the cadet contingent. I'll never forget two things. One was wearing my uniform at Army, meeting my uncle and best friend for the game. I was so proud escorting them around that beautiful Grunt campus. The second thing I remember was that year was the first of our football glory years and we trounced Army. I was beaming throughout the day and wore a smile all the way back to USAFA.
Eric Strull, '83
We can forget the train ride, playeing "Quenns" for hours, the Conrad Hilton Hotel-later site pf the 1968 Dem National Convention riots,the blind dates-5k plus for both adacdemies, and the God Darn Army sign-"AMF" ( Adois mother f--kers) displayed by the Corps after Army scored late to win 14-10.
Frederic N.Halstrom, '67 Alum
I fondly remember watching the first game played at Yankee Stadium from Arnold Hall via large screen projection live hookup with my fellow '63 classmates ('64 was there too!). '61 and '62 went to the game but funding could not support our class going. In fact we never got to see an inter-service academy game because Navy was played out there when we were seniors and I guess there were no funds to get us there. Highjinks preceded each game with an attempt to steal the Mule (thwarted by the Mule who wouldn't budge unless the Army Muleskinners were there to coax him along). The game was exciting with Richie Mayo cool at QB holding his own in the Big Apple. I think the game ended in a 13-13 tie--so moral victory for us in Army's backyard. Things didn't turn out so well with Navy a couple of years later when we were successful in absconding with Bill the Goat but were ordered to give him back by SecAF. Just before we complied we brought him to a noon meal formation where the Goat was presented for a photo op along with our Falcon mascot who proceded to do his duty on Bill's head. The picture ended up plastered all over the Navy locker room before the game and so irritated Navy that Jolly Roger Staubach and his team proceded to wax us by a score something like 34-3 or the like. I became a Staubach fan later when he guided the Cowboys.
At any rate, I am glad we have the Commander-in-Chief's round robin where we play our comrades on the fields of friendly strife every year and the cadets get to see each opponent twice in a four year cadet career. Good luck with Army this year and we'll be pulling for Army to return the favor and beat Navy as well.
George Frederick, '63
Game: Fall of 1985 - Home Game
I was on the exchange program to West Point that fall. Of course that year we had the greatest USAFA football team of all time. We ended the year with one loss to BYU and destroyed Texas in the Bluebonnet Bowl. I think we ended up ranked 5th in the nation in the AP poll.
So there I was at West Point watching what I could about our team and following along. Army week came around and the six AF Cadets were prime targets all week. I never slept in my own bed that week and never ate at the dining hall. I wagered just about everything I owned on that game. I'm not sure what I would have done for uniforms if we had lost.
The good news was that we were getting to fly back to USAFA for the game. We along with 300 or so Army dinks loaded 3 C-141's for the trip back to Colorado. I've never enjoyed a jump seat ride so much. The game is a bit of a blur now but I know it snowed horribly all day and I know that we destroyed Army. I think the final was 55-7.
The trip back was pretty nice too, but my best memory was this: I walked up to my room at West Point and found piles of bags and clothes stacked outside my door. All my winnings awaited me there. I still have most of that stuff packed away in my Gold USAFA trunk in the attic. What a great day that was.
Greg Mooneyham, '87
The trip to Chicago via train for the Army game in November 1963 was the highlight of my doolie "experience". We all boarded trains at a siding down from the Zoo. For many of the class of '67, it was the first time we'd been off the grounds since our incarceration on June 23rd. What a great trip.
Tremendous pride marching down to Soldiers Field and into the stadium. Cold, clear fall/winter day. The game was reasonably close. Army scored late in the 4th quarter to win 14-10. A disappointment but still a great day. We were the young, newbie service academy. Marching in with the "long gray line" and having the chance to meet/collaborate with plebes who were just like us was great.
All too soon, we were back in C Springs. Within weeks, reality crashed home with President Kennedy's assassination. Seems so long ago....but, like most other "boomers", I remember where I was. In my room in 20th squadron, getting ready for classes and hearing, "Attention in the area...."
Skip Torresson, '67
I would have to say "Air Force/Army" football has been a BIG frustration for me.
When I was a cadet, my head was shaved twice betting on Air Force against Army exchange cadets! Even when we were heavily favored one time.
When I was attending Stanford for my Master's Degree, I lost a steak dinner bet to an Army officer also getting his degree there. (They went 8-4 that year)
So, I do not bet on Air Force against Army no matter what the odds are.
Darell Lawver, '80
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