St. Louis Council teamed with USTRANSCOM, local Navy Operations Support Center for 26th annual naval military ball

submitted by Doyle Wilhite, President Central Midwest Area

Marine Lt. Gen. Emerson Gardner, Jr. salutes after passing through the sideboys at the 2008 St. Louis.Council Navy Military Ball.

On Oct. 11, Marine Lieutenant General Emerson N. Gardner, Jr., Principal Deputy Director, Program Analysis and Evaluation, Office of the Secretary of Defense, was the guest of honor at the St. Louis Ball, representing Marine Corps Commandant General James Conway.  Also, a number of active duty general and flag officers were present including Air Force General Duncan McNabb, Commander USTRANSCOM, Vice Admiral Ann Rondeau, Deputy Commander USTRANSCOM, Rear Admiral Mark Harnitcheck, USN, Director Plans and Policy, USTRANSCOM, Major General Mike Gould and Major General Mark Solo from the Air Force Air Mobility Command and the President, Navy League of the United States, Mr. Michael McGrath. The Ball attendance was so successful that the location was moved to the St Louis Airport Marriott following 25 years at the Missouri Athletic Club in downtown St. Louis. This year’s outstanding attendance, which exceeded 540 attendees, out did the last few years’ participation by 200 attendees

The Annual Ball is the St. Louis Council’s major fund raising effort and helps to finance the various youth programs the Council supports:  The Sea Cadets and League Cadets, the Cleveland Naval Academy and Riverview Gardens High School NJROTC and the NROTC, University of Missouri. 

Vice Adm. Ann Rondeau (right) and Navy League National President J. Michael McGrath (left) join in traditional toast.

And all the youth organizations were well represented at the Ball with various assignments as flag bearers, sideboys, and dinner participants.

In addition to the outstanding attendance experienced under the leadership of Ball Chairman, RADM Daniel Kloeppel, USN-Ret, a recent addition to the St. Louis Board of Councilors, a banner financial year was also achieved due to the exceptional fund raising efforts by RDML Charles Williams, USN-Ret, this year’s corporate sponsor chairman.  There were 17 sponsors with contributions from a single table for $1,000 to a donation of $4,500 by the Boeing Corporation. St Louis’s own Anheuser-Busch Company provided free refreshments.

Lt. Gen. Emerson Gardner, Jr. delivers the keynote address.

The evening began with a pre-ball cocktail party for major sponsors and then an all hands cocktail party with outstanding refreshments and hors d’oeuvres.  The doors to the dining room/ballroom opened promptly at 7:00 pm and all the guests were quickly seated for the opening ceremony with march music provided by the U.S. Air Force Band of Mid- America from Scott Air Force Base.  The evening’s master of ceremony, Council Senior Vice President Ralph Wiechert welcomed members and guests followed by the piping aboard of the official party by Navy retired Chief Boatswainmate Randy Torralba, USN, Retired, Council VP Youth Programs.  The Battleship Missouri Sea Cadets provided sideboys.  The two NJROTC units presented Service Flags and presentation of colors was performed by the multi-service color guard from USTRANSCOM.   After the thrilling rendition of the National Anthem by PO1 Generald Wilson, USN, from the St. Louis Navy Recruiting Command, and the invocation by Chaplain Lt. Blake Lasater, USN, members of USTRANSCOM presented a traditional and symbolic POW/MIA ceremony.  A table set for 5, representing those missing, was center stage with each service represented by personnel in uniform who retreated as a tribute was paid to their service.

Following the charging of glasses, toasts for each of the services, Army, Marine Corps,

St. Louis Council President Robert Fredrickson thanks Lt. Gen. Gardner.

Navy, Air Force, Coast Guard and Merchant Marines were presented.  Then Council President Robert Fredrickson, USN-Ret offered the President’s remarks immediately followed by dinner being served.

After a delicious dinner highlighted by a Trio of Sliced London Broil, Chicken Piccatta and Grilled Shrimp, the meal was topped with an Apple Strudel Cheesecake for dessert.

RADM Daniel Kloeppel introduced the Ball Committee and then recognized the many groups present that make up the Sea Services Team in the St Louis Area.  In addition to U. S. Transportation Command, the St Louis Navy Operations Support Center, and the Navy League of the United States - St Louis Council, the local U. S. Marine Reserves, St Louis Marine Corps League, St Louis Navy Recruiting Command, Seafarers International Union of North America - s/s Samuel Parker Chapter, and the many guests were acknowledged.  He then handed the microphone to RDML Charles Williams to introduce the Corporate Sponsors present.  The sponsors received a rousing round of applause for their contributions and participation.  Thank you Sponsors!

Rear Adm. Kloeppel awards $100 to the dance winners.

The distinguished Guest of Honor, Lt. Gen Gardner then captured the audience’s attention with an update on the Marine Corps, both current and future, followed by an acknowledgement of the U. S. Navy’s 233rd Birthday coming up on Monday, 13 October 2008.  A gift of a photo history of St Louis was presented to the speaker by President Robert Fredrickson as a memento of his participation in the 26th Annual Ball.

RADM and Mrs. Debbie Kloeppel followed Lt. Gen Gardner with a slide show and presentation, “A Tribute to Military Spouses”. It was extremely well received by everyone in the audience.

Dancing topped off the evening with music provided by the “Sentimental Journey” band.   Three lucky couples were thrilled by a gift of $100, just for their enthusiastic participation on the dance floor. The dance floor was full when the band stopped playing at midnight.

With the majority of the attendees in full Mess Dress, Black Tie and formal dresses, another feature of the evening was the opportunity for portraits by Kabance Photo Services as couples, as individuals and random shots during the evening of dining and dancing.  Prints could then be ordered over the Internet.

What a GALA event!  And a repeat is planned for 2009!