Norwich Navy/Marine Corps ROTC hosts annual ball

By John Flewellen and Elizabeth Gregory
Norwich Guidon Staff Writers

The annual Navy/Marine Corps Ball held Nov. 4 was decorated with a universal feeling of "military pride and tradition," according to the project director.

"The main reason that the Navy/Marine Corps Ball is such a success year after year is the tremendous amount of work done by the entire battalion," said senioir project director Keil Gomez, 22, a senior computer science major from Fort Worth, Tex. "A lot goes into planning this event, but with the help and support of the entire battalion, everything ran smoothly and everyone seemed to have a great time."

According to Gomez, three years of planning for similar events went into the organization of the ball.

Traditionally the opening ceremony begins with all freshmen in the Navy battalion carrying the flags of the 50 United States in a procession that precedes the posting of the national colors by the Marine Honor Guard.

"It really was the best that I had ever seen them perform," said Navy midshipmen Daniel Stewart, 18, a freshman physics major from Akron, Ohio. "They put in a lot of practice time, and it really paid off."

According to some of those who attended the ball, there was a special speech concerning prisoners of war and soldiers missing in action.

"I feel that it was a very somber ceremony, especially when you stop to realize that in the future these sentiments may well apply to some of the students sitting in Plumley armory that night," said Lt. John Fitzgerald, a Norwich Naval Science Instructor.

"It is important for those about to embark on military careers to come to terms with the true ideals behind military service. That it is the protection of liberty that connects every member of every branch.," Fitzgerald said.

Vermont U.S. Senator, James Jeffords, a retired U.S. Navy Captain, was the guest speaker.

"The Senator shared a few memories of his time in the Navy and stressed how much he enjoyed his time in the military and what an impact it made on his life," said Kate Comer, 19, a sophomore peace, war and diplomacy major from Basking Ridge, NJ.

As Ryan Mount, 18, a freshman undeclared major from Langola, La., explained, "the evening had a very patriotic theme" and everyone had a wonderful time.

Mount added that the hard work that went into creating the event "was well worth it."

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