Marines are known to avow, ‘Once a Marine, always a Marine,’ and that sentiment was proudly exhibited at the 2022 Marine Corps Ball to celebrate the 247th birthday of the United States Marine Corps. The sold-out dinner and dance at the Club at Pointe West welcomed 150 guests, many looking dapper in their finest dress uniforms and adorned with honorary medals.
The Second Continental Congress established the Continental Marines on Nov. 10, 1775, and each year, Marines around the world celebrate that birthday. Locally, the Marine Corps Ball, presented by the Indian River Detachment Marine Corps League, has been a tradition for the past 20 years, with the exception of a two-year hiatus due to the pandemic.
“I think everyone here was yearning for the camaraderie and the fellowship that comes with this event,” said Joshua Bryant, senior vice commandant of the League.
“It’s an opportunity for active and honorably discharged Marines to band together with members of other branches of service to socialize and honor the traditions of the United States Marine Corps.”
Indeed, there were guests from the U.S. Army, Air Force and Navy, all joining together in the celebration. Commandant Dwight Harris delivered welcoming remarks for the evening, which was broken into three C’s: ceremony, celebration and comradeship.
The ‘Ceremony’ included an invocation read by Frank Baudo, followed by the presentation of Colors by the Marine Corps JROTC color guard of the Palm Bay Magnet High School, the playing of the National Anthem, and the reading of the Original Charter by John Michael Matthews. Afterward, POWs and MIAs were remembered, and taps were played for the four detachment members who have passed since the 2019 ball.
After dinner was served, the ‘Celebration’ began with the introduction of VIPs and the traditional cake-cutting ceremony by the oldest Marine in attendance, 87-year-old Willie Payne, and the youngest, 29-year-old Heath Harris. A hardy toast to the Corps was followed by the singing of the Marine Corps Hymn.
The final ‘C’ was ‘Comradeship,’ during which members of other Marine divisions and branches of service were recognized, and the evening closed out with dancing to the music of Marshall and Sally.
The Birthday Ball is just one of the events hosted by the Indian River League to perpetuate the history of the Marine Corps.
They also organize the Toys for Tots drive to distribute toys to underprivileged children at Christmas, and the Eagle Scouts program, which recognizes Boy Scouts who have achieved the highest rank.
Additionally, members render assistance to all current and former Marines as well as to their widows and orphans as, true to their Semper Fi motto, the Marine Corps League is always faithful.
Photos by Joshua Kodis
