Obama flips Reagan coin at Army-Navy game
http://dervishcom.blogspot.com/2011/12/obama-flips-reagan-coin-at-army-navy.html
President Obama flipped the coin before today's Army-Navy football game and managed to pay tribute to predecessor Ronald Reagan at the same time.
The coin: A silver dollar commemorating this year's centennial of Reagan's birth (which was Feb. 6, 1911).
Obama also did a turn in the CBS broadcast booth, praising the Army and Navy players for meeting the demands of the military on top of their duties with the football team. The Commander-in-Chief pointed out that some of the players in today's game may soon find themselves in "life or death situations, voluntarily, to protect our country."
"As fun as these games are, part of what we celebrate is the dedication and the sacrifice," Obama told CBS broadcasters Verne Lundquist and Gary Danielson during the game at Fed-Ex Field in Landover, Md.
Earlier, Obama, Vice President Joe Biden, and other dignitaries walked to mid-field and shook hands with captains and coaches from both teams.
President Obama at today's Army-Navy game
CAPTION
By Manuel Balce Ceneta, AP
Army won the coin toss, calling tails, but Navy won the game, 27-21. It's their 10th straight win in the series.
Like predecessors who have attended the big game, Obama remained studiously neutral. The president sat on the Navy side during the first half, and the Army side during the second half.
Though the series began in 1890, this was the first time the Army-Navy game had been played in the Washington, D.C., area (Fed-Ex Field is just beyond the Maryland state line). Most of the games have been in Philadelphia or the New York City area.
As with all Army-Navy games, the brass came out in full force. Defense Secretary Leon Panetta and Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman Martin Dempsey accompanied Obama and Biden for the coin toss ceremony.
Navy coach Ken Niumatalolo, whose team has struggled through a 5-7 season, told CBS that Obama wished him well and told him to hang in there.
"It's great to talk to him," Niumatalolo said. "There's not too many events that the president and vice president are at."
Army finished the season with a 3-9 record.
Obama also opened the CBS broadcast of the Army-Navy game, paying tribute to the dedication of players and introducing video presentations from leaders of the two teams.
The president pointed out that the players are only temporary opponents.
"Soon they'll be part of the same proud team," Obama said. "The United States Armed Forces."
The coin: A silver dollar commemorating this year's centennial of Reagan's birth (which was Feb. 6, 1911).
Obama also did a turn in the CBS broadcast booth, praising the Army and Navy players for meeting the demands of the military on top of their duties with the football team. The Commander-in-Chief pointed out that some of the players in today's game may soon find themselves in "life or death situations, voluntarily, to protect our country."
"As fun as these games are, part of what we celebrate is the dedication and the sacrifice," Obama told CBS broadcasters Verne Lundquist and Gary Danielson during the game at Fed-Ex Field in Landover, Md.
Earlier, Obama, Vice President Joe Biden, and other dignitaries walked to mid-field and shook hands with captains and coaches from both teams.
President Obama at today's Army-Navy game
CAPTION
By Manuel Balce Ceneta, AP
Army won the coin toss, calling tails, but Navy won the game, 27-21. It's their 10th straight win in the series.
Like predecessors who have attended the big game, Obama remained studiously neutral. The president sat on the Navy side during the first half, and the Army side during the second half.
Though the series began in 1890, this was the first time the Army-Navy game had been played in the Washington, D.C., area (Fed-Ex Field is just beyond the Maryland state line). Most of the games have been in Philadelphia or the New York City area.
As with all Army-Navy games, the brass came out in full force. Defense Secretary Leon Panetta and Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman Martin Dempsey accompanied Obama and Biden for the coin toss ceremony.
Navy coach Ken Niumatalolo, whose team has struggled through a 5-7 season, told CBS that Obama wished him well and told him to hang in there.
"It's great to talk to him," Niumatalolo said. "There's not too many events that the president and vice president are at."
Army finished the season with a 3-9 record.
Obama also opened the CBS broadcast of the Army-Navy game, paying tribute to the dedication of players and introducing video presentations from leaders of the two teams.
The president pointed out that the players are only temporary opponents.
"Soon they'll be part of the same proud team," Obama said. "The United States Armed Forces."
