VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. - The Navy Midshipmen pulled off a 12th straight victory against the Army Black Knights during the Army/Navy game Dec. 14 with a final score of 34-7, but what you may not have seen was Midshipman Marc Meier sporting an Expeditionary Combat Readiness Center (ECRC) patch on his jersey.
The command patch was sent to Meier from his former football coach Lt. Cmdr. Brian Graham, ECRC action officer.
“As a graduate of the Naval Academy, I understand the tradition of football players wearing command patches for 'The Game,' so I thought it would be pretty special for him to wear my command patch so I sent him one,” said Graham. “Marc is a tremendous athlete and an even better person. It is pretty special to have him represent my command,” he said.
For Meier, wearing the ECRC patch was a small way of saying thanks to his former coach for being a great mentor.
“It felt great to wear the ECRC patch,” said Meier. “He asked if I was able to wear a patch this year of my choosing and I said yes, so I requested to wear the ECRC patch for game day. Graham was my high school football coach who has taught me a lot about life. He has been a great role model/mentor through the whole Academy process since he graduated from here also."
While the ECRC patch has sentimental value, both men agree that being able to wear a Navy command patch is kind of a big deal.
“I feel like it is important for Naval Academy players to wear Navy command patches to show their appreciation for the people that are allowing us to play the game we love,” said Meier. “It shows that we are not playing for the name on the back of our jerseys, but the name on the front (NAVY). We wear them to show that we are representing something bigger than ourselves and the Navy football team all together."
Graham added that a patch might simply be command memorabilia to those who wear command patches every day, but for those on the gridiron it means so much more.
“Wearing a patch provides these players a way to show respect to those that are currently serving or have served before them. In some cases it may even be brothers, sisters, or parents. Wearing that jersey in 'The Game' with NAVY across their chest and a command patch, it really doesn't get any better than that,” Graham said.
The photo of Meier on game day is now displayed in ECRC’s main lounge.
| Date Taken: | 12.18.2013 |
| Date Posted: | 12.18.2013 14:40 |
| Story ID: | 118400 |
| Location: | VIRGINIA BEACH, VIRGINIA, US |
| Web Views: | 365 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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