PDA

View Full Version : Marines dance to honor Corps’ birthday



thedrifter
11-19-06, 06:40 PM
Marines dance to honor Corps’ birthday

11/19/06
By Carolyn Grindrod, Rome News-Tribune Staff Writer

The Forum was transformed into a ballroom Saturday to celebrate the birthday of the Marine Corps with the 231st Marine Corps Ball.

Fully clad Marines of all ranks in their dress uniforms, along with their dates, dined and danced the night away as part of the time-honored tradition.

“We’re here to celebrate 231 years of the world’s finest fighting force,” said a smiling Erica Reynolds from Tallahassee, Fla., who came with her date Cpl. Demetrius Kelly. “We’re going to have a lot of fun.”

However, CWO 3 Edwin Harman III said the party was not just for dancing the night away but mainly to celebrate the group’s history.

“This isn’t just held in Rome,” said Harman. “The ball is a commemoratory celebration of all Marines everywhere to celebrate our birth.”

The bash began with the March of the Colors along with the national anthem. Afterward there was a ceremonial cutting of the birthday cake, with the first piece awarded to the oldest Marine, who passed it to the youngest Marine.

“It symbolizes that the oldest is now passing down their knowledge and wisdom to the younger generations,” said 1st Sgt. Ron Whittington.

Although the Detachment One, Ammunition Company, 4th Supply Battalion, 4th Logistics Group of the Marines Forces Reserve will be moving to Atlanta in the near future, the group believes it probably will host one more ball in Rome before the move.

“We’re not quite sure when we’ll be leaving to go to Dobbins,” said Whittington, “but I’m sure we’ll have at least one more ball here.

Ellie