Marine Corps Ball

Every year in the Marine Corps there is the time honored tradition of the Birthday Ball. The Marine Corps' actual birthday is the 10th of November, so the ball usually falls on or around this date each year. This year our ball was on the 14th and it was held in Primm, Nevada. I had never been to Primm before. It is more in the middle of nowhere than we are out here in Twentynine Palms. Alex and I had a lot of fun this year. Last year's ball was fun, but we knew a lot more people this year, so that always makes it better!

We stayed in the Primm Valley Casino Hotel, not bad for $27 a night. Can't beat that! This is also where the actual ball was held. They had a huge convention center that held all 2,000 of us. I have come to love the traditions at the Marine Corps Ball. This year felt especially special, maybe because I have so many dear friends overseas right now, but something was just different about this ball.

One of the most sentimental parts of the ceremony is when they take a moment of silence to remember all of those fallen Marines who couldn't be with us because they have made the ultimate sacrifice. I was able to get a picture of the table set in honor of these Marines before it got too crowded.


There is also the traditional birthday cake. During the formal ceremony the oldest Marine at each ball cuts the first piece and takes a bite and then passes it the youngest Marine among the group and he/she takes a bite!





Here are some pictures from the night:

Me and Erin


Me, Erin, and Stacy


John and Alex


Me and Alex


Me and Stacy


Stacy and John


Me and Rhonda


SJA Office


Lt. Col Ashbacher and Capt. Parch (per alex's request)