FOXBOROUGH – As Jonathan Kraft stepped to the podium during Wednesday’s Army-Navy luncheon to kick off 10 days of festivities leading up to the big game on December 9, you could see how thrilled he was.

After all, this isn’t just any ordinary neutral site game. With the 250th anniversary of the Boston Tea Party approaching, having Army-Navy in Foxborough is one of the more unique opportunities when it comes to sports that this region has ever seen.

“This day is a culmination of a long journey for everybody here at Gillette Stadium,” Kraft said with Governor Maura Healey, captains from both teams, both head coaches, representatives from USAA and other distinguished guests on hand. Voice of the Patriots Bob Socci was also the emcee.

“When we first conceived building this building in the lat 90’s, it was clearly to have a permanent home of the Patriots in Massachusetts, but we also wanted to create a venue that would attract events that Massachusetts was not able to attract prior. Literally, at the top of that list was the Army-Navy game. It’s taken us a quarter of a century to make it happen, but it’s really been worth it.”

Healey presented the team captains with replica bowls that Paul Revere would have made back in the day as gifts. She also thanked the guys for setting an example of leadership and commitment that everyone can follow. After that, Navy head coach Bria Newberry and Army head coach Jeff Monkey expressed how excited they were for this opportunity to bring the game and all the passion that comes with it to Foxborough.

“This is my first time up here, what a beautiful venue this is,” Newberry said. “I know our players are excited about it as well…people try to tell you what it’s like to coach in that game…you can’t fully understand until you participate in it. There’s a certain kind of energy, a certain kind of patriotism, a certain kind of pride that you feel when you walk onto the field. We have a great respect for Army, a great respect for Coach Monkey and the wonderful job he’s done there for those cadets. The way they handle their business, the way they play. I admire how they play from an effort standpoint, from a fighting standpoint. We’e excited about this game because I feel like our guys do the same thing.

“There’s no game in the country…there’s a lot of great rivalries, but there’s nothing quite like Army-Navy…there’s no game like this. There’s no effort put forth in a game like Army-Navy. There’s so much at stake with such a great mutual respect between both teams and both coaches.”

“What an honor to be here,” said Monken. “To play in this stadium with so many great teams, Coach Belichick, a legendary coach…thanks to you. Thanks for hosting this great game and hosting this great event. We’re honored to be here and honored to represent the men and women who serve in the United States Army. That really is what this game is about…it’s just a privilege and an honor to be a part of this game. To be a part of the competition that represents those men and women. Men and women who are in foxholes somewhere around the world, who are at forward operating bases, naval stations, places around the globe and here domestically. The fact we get a chance to represent them next Saturday in a competition that will be as fierce and as competitive as any game that’s played this year. That’s what’s incredible about this game, is the competitors on the field and how hard they’re fighting to win.

“I’ve been honored to be a part of number of these and it never gets old. Every year, it is an incredible event. We’re excited to be here and excited to share it with the people of Massachusetts.”

Throughout next week, there will also be something called The Patriot Games presented by USAA. Various competitions will be held at different spots around Massachusetts including Lexington and Concord and Faneuil Hall between members of the Navy and Army. There is also an Army-Navy Gala and a Fan Fest in Foxborough.

Wednesday’s luncheon was simply a start to what should be an incredible week around the region. This is more than just a football game, it’s a week long celebration of everything that is good about this country.

“These academies, they’re special places,” Monken added. “They’re home to generations of Americans who have made a pledge to serve. Any one of these guys could have gone to other colleges. They’re talented, they’re intelligent. They could have chosen an easier path and another place to go to school. They chose to serve. They chose to go to an academy and to take on the responsibilities that come with being a graduate of our service academies. To serve our nation, to serve our country. To lead soldiers and marines and airmen into sometimes, the most difficult of circumstances. There’s just an unbelievable respect for this game and what it represents.”

It was put best by numerous people on Wednesday…this is the only game in the world where the people playing in it are willing to put their lives on the line for everyone watching it.