Blue Heart Journey: 238th Marine Corps Birthday Ball

10 November is a mighty day. It is the Marine Corps Birthday. For every Marine and Marine spouse the Birthday Ball is one of the most highly anticipated events of the year. It is the year's highlight for Department of State employees overseas as well. To many it can appear to encompass a woman getting fancy in a gorgeous gown, eye-catching shoes, a beautiful hairstyle, sparkling nails, flawless make-up, and shining accessories to compliment the look. While that is what it may take for a woman to prep herself for the event, too often people forget the purpose behind the event. It is not just wardrobe and dancing. Though not everyone thinks this way regarding the Ball, living overseas has shown me that many people do.

The Marine Corps Birthday Ball is a time to celebrate the birthday of the Corps and all the service members who stood on the yellow footprints to pledge their lives for a greater good. One of the most tear-jerking moments during the ball is the showing of the Commandant’s message. I can see and feel the ultimate sacrifice that comes behind wearing the title "Marine." I also think about the families who additionally make sacrifices every day to support their Marine. It is a formal ceremony to acknowledge and celebrate informal events. There is no red carpet, dress blues, or pretty dresses worn when Marines fight to defend our freedom. There are no content smiles across their faces, only stern looks with eyes forward, focused on the assigned mission.

When (or unfortunately, if) that Marine makes it back home safely to the arms of those who love them, November 10^th approaches and we acknowledge their commitment, their growth, their sacrifice, and their honor to their country and the Corps. On and around 10 November, Marines everywhere celebrate this day and the continuance of the Corps.

In the fleet, Douglas never took part in the planning process of the birthday ball. He did, however, take part in the musical portion of the event. He and his fellow band members played at every ball held for the various units on their base. Sometimes there were even members of the band, including Douglas in 2011, who could not attend their own birthday ball because they were scheduled to play at someone else’s.

Marine Security Guard (MSG) duty has shown both of us a different side of the birthday ball experience. Overseas, the Detachment Commander is responsible for planning, organizing, and executing the entire ball with the help of the Marines in his detachment. In Hanoi, Douglas has five Marines. That is a small percentage of the actual number of Marines most units in the fleet have to help orchestrate their balls. Hosting such an event is no easy feat. This is now Douglas’ second time in charge of the ball. The first was in Algiers. Last year’s ball was good, but this year’s ball was absolutely flawless! It was a perfect example of growth in a specific area. From the outside looking in, I could see the changes and feel his confidence increase. I felt so proud to be in that ballroom, look around, and know that my husband and his Marines put it together. They recruited such wonderful people to be a part of the event and help make the night spectacular. It was a job well done!

At every birthday ball there is a Guest of Honor and a Guest Speaker. At this birthday ball, the Guest of Honor was Ambassador David B. Shear, Chief of Mission in Vietnam, and the Guest Speaker was Brigadier General Richard L. Simcock, Deputy Commander, U.S. Marine Corps Forces Pacific. These guests typically sit at the head table along with the host of the event. In the fleet that is usually the Commanding Officer and Sergeant Major of the unit, along with any other Marines in that command. Here it was the Detachment Commander, Douglas, and the Assistant Detachment Commander, as well as their dates. Going from sitting at a table with your fellow peers to men and women of such elite status can be a little intimidating. I would be lying if I said I was not nervous. I was completely nervous! Leading up to the event I pondered questions such as: What would I talk about? Will the conversation be over my head and out of my league? Is this going to be the most uncomfortable night ever? Or, will I be sitting next to either one of the special guests? I sure hoped not! If the answer to all my questions were yes, the last place I wanted to find myself was next to either individual. Awkward! For some reason I did not think to ask my husband who we were seated next to. I should have! After all, he is the one who created the seating chart. I could have simply shared my request to sit across the table.

On the night of the ball, I spent some time mingling with guests during the cocktail hour. Once the doors opened to the ball room everyone flowed in to find their tables. I spotted mine in the front of the room, table number two. I circled around the table to locate my name tag. My throat practically dropped to my stomach when I saw my seat was directly next to Brigadier General Simcock to my left, Douglas on my right, and directly next to him was Ambassador Shear. Just the sandwich I did not want! Be careful what you don’t wish for because it is usually the very thing you will get! None of the men were at the table because they were all a part of the formal ceremony. I decided I would stick to being myself and not pretend to be someone I wish I was instead.

Once the ceremonial portion of the evening ended, all the Marines and the Ambassador took their seats. The next hour and a half seemed like a blur. It went by so quickly because I had such an amazing time! I felt comfortable being around both the Ambassador and the General. Since the General was seated directly next to me I spoke with him more. In just that short time I learned a lot from him and was extremely moved by his speech. To be at such a lofty status in the Corps, you don’t always expect leaders at such levels to be approachable. But the General was just that. Many moments I simply felt like I was speaking to an ordinary individual who happened to be great at his job, rather than a Brigadier General whose presence in a room automatically commands everyone else to stand if they are seated. I realized at the end of the night I had nothing to worry about. That sandwich I was seated in worked out pretty well. (My biggest reason for sharing this story about sitting at such an elite table is to bring comfort to those future MSG spouses who may find themselves in the same situation, feeling similar to me. Exposure like this only makes us better individuals, more equipped to mingle amongst senior leaders. Sometimes it is good to break out the circle of our own peers.)

After dinner Douglas and I made our rounds to various tables, greeting guests and thanking them for coming to the ball. Again, that is not something we did at the birthday balls in the fleet. But it felt like the right thing to do since Douglas was the host. I placed it upon myself to join him since I see it as a voluntary duty that comes along with being the wife of a Detachment Commander. It helps that I have also learned quite a few things from watching seasoned spouses on Parris Island in such positions. Janice, Kim, and Roxanne, I thank you for unknowingly teaching me by example. That part of the evening certainly did not feel like a task. I very much enjoyed it. I cannot say the same for my feet, but they too survived! We finally made it to the dance floor around 10:30pm, which is where we remained until the DJ played the last song.

I feel very blessed to play a role among such an elite force of men and women. For every man and woman who has earned the title United States Marine, I say to you, Happy 238^th Birthday!

Another ball down, one more to go! We are certainly going to miss the MSG program when it comes to an end.

March on of the Official Party - SSgt Hardee, BGen Simcock, Ambassador Shear

Presentation of the Guest of Honor's gift

BGen Simcock also received a hand painting

The traditional cutting of the birthday cake

The first slice of cake is given to the Guest of Honor and the second slice is given to the oldest Marine present who passes it to the youngest Marine present.