GATOR DETACHMENT 990
MARINE CORPS LEAGUE
GAINESVILLE FLORIDA
Once a Marine, Always a Marine
MARINE CORPS LEAGUE
GAINESVILLE FLORIDA
Once a Marine, Always a Marine
United States Marine Corps Birthday Ball
Paramount Plaza Hotel, 2900 SW 13th Street, Gainesville FL 32608
Saturday, 12 November 2011
Our Marines, members and guests were given a great birthday ball program on November 12, 2011 as the Gator Detachment celebrated at the Paramount Plaza Hotel.
The social hour found attendees mingling and meeting new friends. We Marines and guests from the SgtMaj Thomas H. Griggs Jr. Detachment (Wellborn) as well as a few members of the community.
The evening began with a traditional ceremony which included a compelling video from the Commandant of the Marine Corps, a cake cutting ceremony and a message from our Guest of Honor, LtGen Bergman. All present enjoyed his company as well as his remarks about the latest generation of troops.
The ceremony was followed by plated dinners where the entree choices included 10oz Prime Rib and Stuffed Chicken Breast. Desserts included our birthday cake as well as New York Cheesecake.
The ceremony was followed by plated dinners where the entree choices included 10oz Prime Rib and Stuffed Chicken Breast. Desserts included our birthday cake as well as New York Cheesecake.
We enjoyed the professional services from Raul Fernandez Photography. He donates his time to groups like ours, so please support his business as he supports us. You can find photos online of the ceremony as well as those of the guests who had their picture taken. You may purchase them from his site. Go to http://www.raulfernandezphotography.com - click on Charity/Events, then Gator Detachment 990 to find photo albums from 2010 and 2011.
We raffled off a number of items, including a queen size USMC blanket donated by Scott DuPree and was won by our Guest of Honor. He said he would keep it 5 years then return it so that it may serve the detachment again as a fundraiser. The raffle also included a homemade afghan and a baby blanket, courtesy of Mary Hildebrand, and a variety of gift certificates collected by Sandy Golden.
After the dinner, Commandant Lester made a few remarks, presented a gift to our Guest of Honor and flowers to his wife, and had Young Marine Commander Cary Hill make a presentation of the Young Marine of the Year award to YMSgtMaj Marisa Richardson.
In addition to a Cash Bar which included free beer, the party was stepped up to the next level by DJ Bill Hipp. Youngsters and salty vets alike were on the dance floor and having a great time.
A great time was had by all. The Ball Committee is already in the process of working out the contract for the 2012 Birthday Ball, which will be at the Paramount Plaza on November 3, 2012.