Midshipmen’s Army-Navy spirit video channels ‘Star Wars’ saga

WASHINGTON — The Naval Academy has beaten the U.S. Military Academy at West Point in the annual Army-Navy football game 13 years in a row, and as the team goes for No. 14 next week, an ambitious midshipman has made an ambitious spirit video that exhorts, “May the 14th be with you.”

The video, by Midshipman Ryan Tuohy, is a retelling of the original “Star Wars” story, with the midshipmen as the rebels and Army as the Empire (naturally), complete with the following:

  • A Princess Leia who takes an active part in her rescue from the evil forces at U.S. Military Academy;
  • A jab at the pillow-fight scandal at Army earlier this semester;
  • High diving (you’ll have to watch); and
  • Supposed Army guards who claim, without the help of Jedi mind control, that they wished they went to Navy.

The video also features high-powered cameos from such as Marine Col. Stephen Liszewski, the commandant of midshipmen; Vice Adm. Walter E. Carter, the academy superintendent, and Adm. John Richardson, chief of naval operations, who delivers the final blow to the U.S. Military Academy Darth Vader.

If that’s not enough dazzle, the special Navy uniforms for the game are pretty snazzy too, complete with customized helmets for each position group.

The game is Dec. 12.

Rick Massimo

Rick Massimo came to WTOP, and to Washington, in 2013 after having lived in Providence, R.I., since he was a child. He's the author of "A Walking Tour of the Georgetown Set" and "I Got a Song: A History of the Newport Folk Festival."

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