As the final seconds of the Air Force football game trickle down, the crowd rises to their feet. If the Falcons win, they stay to celebrate; if not, they funnel out the gates in hopes to beat the traffic that will soon build up along Stadium Boulevard. When the referee blows the final whistle, both teams rush towards the field to meet each other. The head coaches shake and exchange words, the players embrace, there's cheering from the fans, and the cadets in the stands chat among themselves and prepare to head back to the Terrazzo. As the on-field formalities come to a close, the visiting team heads to the locker room while the Falcons keep the field.

The players, coaches, cheerleaders, and officers of the Air Force Academy head towards the northeast corner of the stadium, right in front of the cadet section. The voice over the loudspeaker announces the Alma Mater is about to be played. The cadets on the field hold hands, the cadets in the stands stand at attention, and a hush falls over the stadium. Win or lose, they remember it's not about football and the past 60 minutes of play are momentarily forgotten. As the drum and bugle corps play, the cadets sing along to honor the men and women who paid the ultimate sacrifice...

"Here's a toast to the host
Of those who love the vastness of the sky,
To a friend we send a message of his brother men who fly.
We drink to those who gave their all of old,
Then down we roar to score the rainbow's pot of gold.
A toast to the host of men we boast, the U.S. Air Force!"

When the final notes are played, the cadets all cheer and the game finally comes to a close.