Army-Navy game honors values that bind us together as one nation

Sen. Joni Ernst, R-Iowa, reacts to how the migrant crisis has affected hotel reservations in Boston for the upcoming Army-Navy game

It’s one of the most iconic moments in American sports. 

At roughly 6:30 in the evening, Saturday, Dec. 9, on the field at Gillette Stadium, the players and cheerleaders participating in the annual Army-Navy football game will walk to the side of the losing team and together sing that academy’s alma mater or school song. Next, they will trudge across the field to the victor’s side to do the same thing.    

Then, and only then, will one side celebrate and the other go off to seek solace in their defeat.  

WORLD WAR II VETERAN, 103, RETURNS TO PEARL HARBOR 82 YEARS AFTER JAPAN'S ATTACK TO HONOR FALLEN COMRADES

The moment, repeated year after year, says so much in such a short amount of time. It speaks to honor, tradition, compassion, civility and unity – values that bind together those who play and those who support them. 

A view of the logo on the field prior to the 123rd playing of the Army-Navy game on December 10, 2022, at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia, PA. (Mark Goldman/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

It also represents an ideal that we once recognized was essential to our American experience – the rough and tumble reality of a democracy in action – tackling, fighting and scoring points against the opposition, but ultimately being united in our shared vision of what really matters.   

The moment is even more poignant, of course, because these young men and women will soon be commissioned as officers in the U.S. Army, Navy and Marine Corps. Some will perform great acts of heroism. Some may make the ultimate sacrifice with their lives. All will serve.  

In performing their