How many galas encourage patrons to yell for their team? Only the Army Navy Gala, held for the first time in Washington, D.C. on December 9th.

Everyone was in the mood for some good old fashioned rivalry. Not the Facebook kind, but live bands, cheerleaders and real in person celebrities like former Saints wide receivers coach Curtis Johnson, who just made big news as the newly hired Tulane football coach.

In attendance was a  surprisingly modest Roger Staubach, a veteran of two Army-Navy Game victories as quarterback for the Navy team, not to mention Heisman Trophy winner and quarterback for the Dallas Cowboys. We don't have enough room to detail all his accomplishments.

The Washington Redskins have enjoyed a long-standing relationship with the local military community. The Redskins proudly introduced USAA as their Official Military Appreciation Sponsor working together to salute military members, veterans and their families in their Military Appreciation Series.

"On behalf of 23,000 USAA employees, we are proud to present America’s Game and honor military service members — past and present — who love this game and all it represents as much as we do," announced  USAA.

USAA began in 1922 with 25 Army officers who offered to insure each other's vehicles when no one else would. Today, their tiny organization has grown into a respected institution offering a full range of financial products to millions of members.

Greater Washington Sports Alliance, United states Naval Academy Alumni Association & Foundation, and West Point Association of Graduates also presented the gala.

Patrons included AOL founder Jim Kimsey, himself an alumni of the United States Military Academy at West Point, and recipient of the Distringuished Graduate Award for Outstanding Service to the Nation in 2008. Everyone knows, or wants to know, Jim Kimsey.

Who would guess a lady Master Plumber/Master Gas Fitter, would be in attendance? And why not? Shary Moxley, President, Shary's Plumbing, Inc. was accompanied by Dean F. Morehouse, President, MTM Builder/Developer. Seems fitting.

Boeing's Matthew T. Daniels, Manager - Education Relations, and his wife Bethany Daniels, English Department, Washington University, St. Louis, MO,  enjoyed the festivities, although there was more fun than educating going on. If you want to be educated on Boeing's corporate citizenship, be prepared for a semester or so of study.

Joining in the joking around was Boo Corrigan, United States Military Academy West Point, Director of Athletics.

Mr. Corrigan captured the spirit of the evening in a quote offered upon his appointment earlier this year.“I want to say specifically to the cadets who are competing in athletics, that I want to provide them the opportunity and the wherewithal to achieve to their highest ability and to provide our coaches with the opportunity to win championships and build leaders of character”

An official welcome and opening remarks were made by Daniel W. Christman, Lieutenant General (Retired), US Army, Senior Counselor, U.S. Chamber of Commerce, and Edmund P, Giambastiani, Jr., Admiral, United States Navy (Ret).

Wife of Class of 1969 Army football's Tom Wegelock, Victoria Barrett, President, Shenandoah Films, and director and producer of the documentary, Desperate Hours, was proud of her film. Shenandoah Films produces international documentaries with a special emphasis on history.

More than 2,000 people filled the Walter E. Washington Convention Center ball room. You have to really want to attend any event at the Convention Center, as you are going to get your daily workout just getting there. Angela Alfano, Corporate Communications, The Washington Redskins, got her workout helping media get their stories.

It was clear everyone at the event really wanted to be there and enjoyed the pre-game revelries.

Update: 26-21 for Navy. The 10th consecutive win, although Army fought the good fight.