Marine Corps Ball

Every year, on November 10th, the Marine Corps celebrates their anniversary, usually with a Birthday Ball. Because Dan has been with infantry units who are sometimes deployed during this time, we don't get to go to a ball every year. So this year I was very excited to celebrate the 237th birthday at the FAST Company's Ball, which was held at a Bodega in the nearby town of Jerez. After all the stress of fundraising and getting settled, it was wonderful to leave our children with our awesome neighbor, and enjoy a night with the whole unit! The Ball is always a formal event, rich in traditions designed to honor years of glorious service, and to inspire more years of the same. This year stood out because it was held at such an amazing, historic location: Tio Peppe's bodega known as Gonzalez Byass.

 I thought a bodega was just a building where they make sherry, hold public tours, and do some tastings. But it was a huge complex, with many different buildings, all very historic and very well maintained. Our cocktail hour was held in an open-air structure with enormous casks lining the walls. Each one was decorated with the flag of a different country. The wives had fun taking and posing for pictures, and we all got to taste several different sherries, which are the regional specialty. Sherry is made from grapes in a controlled area, similar to the way that Champagne is supposed to be made from grapes only from France's champagne region. Even so, there are many kids of sherries, ranging from very clear white with an almost bitter taste, to dark brown with a rich, cloying raisin-like taste. We got to nibble all kinds of appetizers: manchego cheese with walnuts, baked blue cheese with caramelized figs, roasted peppers on toast, twists of chorizo sausage in phyllo, bacon-wrapped scallops, chicken croquettes... waiters kept walking around with new samples of food, and they were all amazing!

 After whetting our appetites, we walked up a cobblestone street to a historic house where the ceremony and dinner would be held. After walking past a gorgeous library and parlor, we arrived at the 12 Apostles banquet hall, so called because of the 12 enormous casks that line one side of the room. Each one is named after one of the 12 apostles. The banquet hall was filled with stone pillars, and each wall was lined with different types of casks, sherry equipment, and even an antique buggy used for early deliveries.There were thick wooden timbers across the high ceiling and a central skylight.

Before dinner can be served, it is tradition to observe a ceremony, which begins and ends with the presentation of colors. Although we are an American military unit, we operate on a Spanish base, so members of both countries formed the color guard, marched together, and exchanged rifles in a symbolic gesture of mutual cooperation.  The flags are followed by the Marine sword detail, which my husband was part of this year. The Marines are the only branch who allows NCO's (Non Commissioned Officers) ranks E-4 and higher to carry a sword in ceremonial occasions. I had a sword detail at our wedding, and there has been one at every Ball, but this was the first time I saw Dan in one, and the closest I have ever been to a ceremony during the Ball. He did a great job, looking sharp at attention, and stepping on cue with his partner on the opposite pillar. We watched a message from the Commandant of the Marine Corps reminding us why the birthday is celebrated, and encouraging Marines in their service.

 Then there is a cake-cutting ceremony, where the birthday cake is presented to the unit's Commanding officer, who slices it with a sword. He serves the first piece to the guest of honor (the speaker) and the next to the oldest and youngest Marines present. The youngest was born in 1993! Made me feel incredibly old...
Dan is standing on the left at his pillar, and you can see the Marine sword detail lining the pillars at the center of the room.




A piece of cake was also presented to Sgt. Monster, the bulldog who is an official mascot and member of this unit. He has his own custom uniform, complete with ribbons and medals and a hash mark representing his 4 years in our service. I hear he is eligible for promotion! He is much loved and well cared for by the Marines. He and his mate, Bella, live at the Company office. Our kids love to see them whenever we visit Daddy at work.

Once the ceremony concluded, the color guard and sword detail marched out, and we enjoyed some word of wisdom from our guest speaker, the Lt. Colonel who currently overseas all FAST operations. His speech was very heartfelt, and included wonderful imagery that every Marine in the room could relate to: from the yellow footprints at bootcamp to the sound of boots marching in the fog. He spoke highly of Staff NCO's (which is what my husband is) and encouraged them to always take their responsibility of educating and forming Marines seriously, since it was a SNCO who had a huge impact on his own military career. He spoke of the challenges every Marine spouse endures, but pointed out that the high moments and the deep pride make all the frustration and pain worthwhile. He spoke somberly and realistically to a unit that might soon be busier than they have ever been. But he also spoke with true love for the Corps, and contagious pride that almost brought me to tears. We will truly treasure the good times we have together, and treasure each other, because that is sometimes all we have to carry us through the dark and challenging days. I am so proud of my husband, his unit, and all Marines who have served their country throughout the past 237 years!

After all that, it was finally time for dinner! The Spanish are used to eating around 9 PM, but the Americans in the room were getting a little edgy, and eager for food, water, and beer. Thankfully, the food was delicious, the wine plentiful, and the company pleasant. The FAST wives are a small group--only about 20 are stationed here right now. So they are close, friendly, and very welcoming of me as a new arrival. It was my first time meeting some of them, and I enjoyed all the opportunities for conversation, laughter, getting to know each other, and just making memories together. 

 After dinner came one last treat: the unit had arranged for a Flamenco troupe to entertain us. They played guitar and a unique hand drum, while singing and dancing. The girls used fans and shawls as props, but were very fluid and strong in their hand and foot movements as well. After some solo dances, they started encouraging the Marines to come onstage and attempt to dance with them, which was hilarious. Eventually, the flamenco music gave way to a DJ, and then the real dancing began! It was a long, fun night, and while we were relieve to return home and find our children sleeping safely in their beds, we will certainly treasure these memories for a long time! I think many of us are already looking forward to next year's Ball! :-)