Navy midshipmen arrive in Providence

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WLNE) — Hundreds of midshipmen arrived in Providence Friday afternoon, getting ready for the first ever Army-Navy game in New England.

It’s clear that everyone’s excited for the game, and while the midshipmen have a clear pick, local officials made their choices known on Friday.

“So, if anybody wants to help me with a little bit of diplomacy, I’d be happy to take the advice,” Gov. Dan McKee said. “But for me it’s about Rhode Island.”

With the governor was down the middle, in Providence  peoplesaid the choice is clear.

“We’re excited for the whole weekend, we’ve been planning as a community for this for almost a year and it’s nice to see the day finally come with the midshipmen getting off the bus,” Mayor Brett Smiley said.

“Providence is going to be alive this weekend, we’ve got a sold-out show at the AMP tonight, a Waterfire this weekend, our restaurants and bars are going to be packed, it’s a really exciting opportunity for the city,” he continued. “And as I said earlier at the press conference, when the Navy chose Providence, it’s easy for me to choose the Navy. So I say go Navy beat Army tomorrow!”

Senator Jack Reed, an alumnus of West Point, a former officer in the Army, and the chair of the Senate Armed Services committee, was an obvious Army supporter.

But he made it clear, before anything else they’re just excited for the game.

“Now, Ron and I are both fierce loyalists tomorrow, but not today. Today we recognize that this is a fine group of young men and women coming from the naval academy to get ready for the big game. Now tomorrow we won’t be as charitable to each other, but today let me welcome the Navy.,” Reed said.

The hundreds of midshipmen will be staying at the Providence Convention Center for the next few days.