When Words Collide, Sentences Form

Marine Corps Baller, Shot Caller...

Marine Corps logo

Tonight I went to the Marine Corps Ball, believe it or not. No, not as the date of a Marine. As a civilian invited as a thank you for supporting the Marines and their efforts. (Over the past summer we did some really cool stuff with connections between families here in the Twin Cities and Marines and soldiers stationed in Iraq, and a really cool July 4th celebration to honor them.) It was really quite the honor to be invited, especially since I am no longer affiliated with the team. I was touched that they thought enough of my personal efforts this summer with the programs to invite me.

It was a lot of fun, and I got to see some really nice people I had met through the team that I hadn't seen in a little while. The Marine and his wife and family that I know, with whom I sat at the ball, are being sent to Japan in a couple of weeks for three years. Exciting for them because their family will be together for the first time in two years (he is in San Diego, she and the kids are here)...not exciting for their daughter who is a junior in high school.

The whole Marine Corps Ball experience was a lot of fun. They, like all branches of the military, have great tradition of which they are very proud. And it was fun to see their ceremonies and excitement over the birthday of the Marines. But here's what I found the most amusing the whole night. And I can't get this image out of my head. And I can't stop laughing despite understanding the solemnity and tradition behind this occurrence!

As I alluded to above, sorta, the Marine Corps Ball is a big (black tie) gala that celebrates the birthday of the Marine Corps. So of course there is a big birthday cake. Here's the cool part about the Marine Corps birthday cake. It's paraded into the room with all of the pomp, circumstance, respect and honor that the flag is! I'm not joking. Everyone has to stand up, they play the Marine Corps song (From the halls of Montezuma to the shores of Tripoli...) and it is escorted in by an armed guard. Well, young Marines with cool swords actually. Then they cut the cake and the honored guest (the guy who gave the keynote speech) gets the first piece. Then the oldest active Marine in attendance (tonight that was some guy born in 1963 who just returned from Iraq) and then the youngest active Marine in attendance (tonight that was one of the only two female Marines I saw there...she was born in 1986!!). They were the only people in the room allowed to get dessert before dinner. I guess their parents weren't there. Then they fed the rest of us regular food (the standard banquet fare - option of herb roasted chicken, basic salmon, beef tips or the veggie crap. Is there a hotel/convention center caterer out there that doesn't have that menu for banquets?), and then only after we ate our meal would they let us eat cake! They cut the giant cake up and gave everyone a piece. It was good, as far as birthday cakes go!

It is also just so amazing to me how young these Marines are. Actually, the majority of the soldiers, Marines, and sailors that are serving our country overseas and stateside. So many of these kids can't even drink legally yet! I think they said tonight at 70% of active duty Marines are in the 18-21 range. I could be misquoting that - but it was something very close. I guess in the history of the military and especially in times of war, the majority of servicemen and women activated to serve in conflicts have been this young...but it just seems to strange to think that these guys that are only 20 or 21 years old have already served two or three tours in Iraq and seen so much bloodshed and horror.

Alright, that's a whole 'nother dissertation from The Steph. Basically all I wanted to say tonight was that the Marine Corps Ball was really awesome and I was very honored to be invited. And I'm glad that the birthday cake got the respect that it deserved.

posted by Steph @ 10:18 PM