phantom2991
Active Member
for all of you who have never had the pleasure of attending a Marine Corps ball, i thought i would post pics and explain the ceremony. 
this is a few pics we took before the ceremony began. Cocktail hour!!!!
then the lights went down and the Marine Corps Band came in playing the Marine Corps Hymn, From the Halls of Montezuma.
Honor Guard took their posts
Company Commander enters and takes his post as well
color guard marches in to the beat of the Marine Corps band, this is composed of a Sgt or above carrying the Marine Corps flag, a Sgt or above carrying the American flag, and two Sgt's carrying the rifles at either side. The Marine Corps flag will be lowered to play the National Anthem while Marines stand at attention and civilians place their hands over their hearts, the the American flag is lowered raising the Marine Corps flag for the Marine Corps Hymn while the Marines continue to show respect by standing at attention.
Color guard retreats.
then the ceremonial cake is brought in at a slow step.
traditionally, the first piece of cake that is cut is eaten by the youngest Marine present and this Marine is givin the slice of cake by the oldest Marine present who will also eat the second piece of cake by the youngest. this symbolizes the passing of the old Corps to the New.
then the cake is taken away
Company Commander watches it go.
At this point in the ceremony a spotlight is lit on an empty table and everyone is asked to give a moment of silence for the Marines who couldnt join us because they had given their lives for us. the table is set and a empty pair of dog tags lays at the place setting to remind us that any one of us could fill that spot at any time.
Then the Company Commander reads the Comandants message to us, wishing all the Marines a happy birthday and many more to come.
Two of our friends watching with rapt attention, lol.
The Company Commander is given a gift to thank them for all they do.
Honor guard marches out.
the flags are retired.
and that is the end of the ceremony proper. then comes the food, drinking, and dancing!! Whoo hoo!!
thanks everyone for checking out this thread!
this is a few pics we took before the ceremony began. Cocktail hour!!!!
then the lights went down and the Marine Corps Band came in playing the Marine Corps Hymn, From the Halls of Montezuma.
Honor Guard took their posts
Company Commander enters and takes his post as well
color guard marches in to the beat of the Marine Corps band, this is composed of a Sgt or above carrying the Marine Corps flag, a Sgt or above carrying the American flag, and two Sgt's carrying the rifles at either side. The Marine Corps flag will be lowered to play the National Anthem while Marines stand at attention and civilians place their hands over their hearts, the the American flag is lowered raising the Marine Corps flag for the Marine Corps Hymn while the Marines continue to show respect by standing at attention.
Color guard retreats.
then the ceremonial cake is brought in at a slow step.
traditionally, the first piece of cake that is cut is eaten by the youngest Marine present and this Marine is givin the slice of cake by the oldest Marine present who will also eat the second piece of cake by the youngest. this symbolizes the passing of the old Corps to the New.
then the cake is taken away
Company Commander watches it go.
At this point in the ceremony a spotlight is lit on an empty table and everyone is asked to give a moment of silence for the Marines who couldnt join us because they had given their lives for us. the table is set and a empty pair of dog tags lays at the place setting to remind us that any one of us could fill that spot at any time.
Then the Company Commander reads the Comandants message to us, wishing all the Marines a happy birthday and many more to come.
Two of our friends watching with rapt attention, lol.
The Company Commander is given a gift to thank them for all they do.
Honor guard marches out.
the flags are retired.
and that is the end of the ceremony proper. then comes the food, drinking, and dancing!! Whoo hoo!!
thanks everyone for checking out this thread!
