Army Navy Game TODAY – John A. Cianci

by John A. Cianci, veterans writer

Important NOTE ABOUT TODAY: If you don’t have tickets to the game, you will not have access to Fan Fest before, during, or after the game.

According to staff at Gillette Stadium, Fan Fest will continue on Sunday. Moreover, the Pro Shop will be open and be well stocked for Army-Navy gear.

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US Naval Academy Midshipmen Arrive in Providence as Leaders Kick Off Army-Navy Game Weekend 

As Providence sets the stage to welcome thousands to the city for the historic Army-Navy Game presented by USAA, Rhode Island leaders lined up Friday to greet the US Naval Academy midshipmen staying at the Rhode Island Convention Center. 

The Providence Warwick Convention & Visitors Bureau (PWCVB) and Rhode Island Convention Center Authority (RICCA) and local dignitaries welcomed the hundreds of midshipmen arriving in Providence from Annapolis, Maryland. After a brief greeting, the midshipmen entered the Convention Center, which is housing the students overnight. Saturday’s game at Gillette Stadium is the first Army-Navy Game to be played in New England in the series’ 124-year history. 

“One of the most anticipated sporting events of the year is finally here and I am thrilled that Rhode Island is playing such a prominent part in this time-honored tradition,” said Governor McKee. “Best of luck to both teams as they continue to inspire us with their commitment both on and off the field. I look forward to being at the game!”

“I am proud to help welcome hundreds of US Naval Academy midshipmen here to Providence to kick-off what is sure to be a great weekend of celebrating one of our nation’s longest-running sports rivalries,” said Senator Reed, a graduate of West Point. “I am thrilled that for the first time, the teams will hit the field in New England. Rhode Island is playing a key role in hosting this time-honored tradition. And no matter how many points Army wins by tomorrow, I’m looking forward to cheering on all of the future leaders from West Point and Annapolis taking the field and watching along in the stands.”

“As we prepare for America’s Game to be played in New England for the first time, I am very pleased to welcome the US Naval Academy midshipmen to the Ocean State,” said Senator Whitehouse. “Rhode Island is thrilled to be hosting hundreds of midshipmen at the Convention Center, as well as fans, families, service members and veterans in the city of Providence,” said Congressman Magaziner. “It is my distinct honor to welcome the US Naval Academy midshipmen to the great state of Rhode Island for the Army-Navy Game,” said Congressman Amo. “This is a great opportunity to showcase all the wonderful things Providence has to offer as a destination,” said Mayor Smiley. “I am thrilled to host the US Naval Academy midshipmen in Providence for New England’s first Army-Navy game.

“The Army-Navy Game is one of the oldest and greatest sports rivalries in our country. But it is much more than that,” said the Honorable Ronald K. Machtley, Co-chair of the Local Organizing Committee and Board of Trustees member of the Naval War College Foundation. “At a time when we are seeing military conflict between nations around the world, this game serves as a reminder to focus on the sacrifices of the men and women in uniform today. The men taking the field on Saturday are future leaders in service to our country, and it is an honor to host them here in New England.”

More than 1,000 servicemen and women, families and veterans will be traveling to the Providence area for the game and accompanying events, injecting an estimated $3.1 million into the local economy. More information on the weekend schedule of events in Providence can be found at ArmyNavyPVD.com.

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Game Day! Honor Game WWII Veterans

Honor Game – Three World War II veterans will be in attendance with the Italian American War Veterans of US and their escorts.

Arthur Medeiros, from Bristol, Rhode Island is 103-year-old veteran and one of the last survivors of the Battle of the Bulge. Arthur’s awards include the Silver Star, the Bronze Star, the World War II Victory Medal, among many others.

Caster Salemi is 101 year old veteran from North Attleboro, Mass. His awards include the Philippines Liberation Medal and the Asiatic Pacific Service Medal…

Roger Desjardins is 98 years young, a World War II veteran from North Providence, Rhode Island. His awards include the Bronze Star World War II Victory Medal…

From the editor: John Cianci initiated the idea of Honor Game to honor World War II veterans over a year ago. His dream has come to fruition. Though he would have liked to have taken many more of the World War II veterans, those who will attend the game with him today stand strong in representing all those we honor! Well done, John – well done!

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It’s Game Day!

SATURDAY, DEC. 9:

8AM – Providence folks will leave for Gillette with a big sendoff from the RI Convention Center

10:00 AM-12:00 PM – College GameDay: ESPN’s College GameDay will go live from Gillette Stadium, Location: Gillette Stadium Parking Lot 5B (1 Patriot Place, Foxborough, Mass.)

11:00 AM-3:00 PM – Location: Enel Plaza at Patriot Place (1 Patriot Place, Foxborough, Mass.)Official 2023 Army-Navy Game Fan Fest: The Army-Navy Game Fan Fest, featuring demonstrations, activations and more will be open to ticketed fans only on Saturday in the leadup to the game.

The game will officially kick off at Gillette Stadium at 3:00 p.m. For additional information go to: GilletteStadium.com/ArmyNavy and ArmyNavyGame.com.

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To read all columns in this series go to: https://rinewstoday.com/john-a-cianci/  

John A. Cianci is a Veteran Service Officer. Retired, U.S. Army MSgt., Persian Gulf War and Iraq War combat theater.

Cianci, a combat disabled Veteran, served in Desert Shield/Storm and Operation Iraqi Freedom. His awards include Bronze Star, Combat Action Badge, Good Conduct, and others.

Cianci belongs to numerous veterans organizations – Italian American War Veterans, American Legion, Veterans of Foreign War, and many more organizations. He is an active volunteer assisting veterans to navigate federal and state benefits they have earned. He is Department of Rhode Island Department Commander Italian American War Veterans and Veteran Service Officer.

He is a graduate of Roger Williams University (BS Finance), UCONN business school* (Entrepreneur Bootcamp for Veterans), Solar Energy International Residential, Commercial and Battery Based Photovoltaic Systems certificate programs, numerous certificates from the Department of Defense renewable energy programs, including graduate of the Solar Ready Vets Program.