One of my favorite Army traditions has become attending formal unit balls.
I love getting dressed up for a night out with Keith.
I got to spend the morning bumming around and relaxing. Then Keith came home early from work and my preparations began.
Some of you have asked about my hair. I decided to do it myself for this ball instead of going to a salon. My secret for getting near-perfect spiral curls is a clipless curling iron. I have to wrap each piece around the barrel of the iron, being very careful not to burn my fingers or hand.
I even have a special thermal glove that I wear to help prevent burns. Unfortunately yesterday I did get one nasty burn when I took the glove off and decided to touch up one little piece. Oh, well….guess that’s just a price I’ll have to pay, huh?
Anyway….that’s enough about the hair.
Our babysitter showed up and graciously agreed to take some pictures for us before we left for the ball.
It is so much fun to get all dolled up and to feel like a real live princess for the night.
I love seeing my friends and Keith’s co-workers in a social setting.
After a time of leave, I haven’t seen some of my friends for weeks and this was such a great opportunity to catch up.
Here’s Keith with the Battalion Commander, LTC Sporacio.
I love being able to watch people. (as an introvert, this is one of my favorite hobbies)
I’m not a dancer but I love watching people interact and have fun.
Yesterday at lunch Keith told me that because he was saying the prayer and I was doing the raffle that we would be seated at the head table. I didn’t realize until we got there and I went to put my things down that “sitting at the head table” meant that we would be sitting at the front of the room facing everyone there.
My initial reaction was “oh, great…now everyone can watch me eat”. But it really turned out fine because I had a great view of everything that went on and a a front row seat to people watch.
I also love the rich tradition that is steeped in the Army’s Formal Balls.
There is a formal portion that comes between eating and dancing that is filled with speeches, awards and other ceremonies.
One of the ceremonies is called a Grog Bowl, or a Punch Bowl Ceremony. The legend is that a long time ago, troops would share their “spirits” with one another to make sure that everyone had something to drink. Those “spirits” consisted of whatever the individual troops’ tastes were. When it was all mixed together, it made a very powerful drink called “GROG”.
Today’s Grog ceremony is a symbolic reflection of that tradition.
During the Grog Bowl ceremony, the commanders and 1st Sergeants of each company tell the history of the Unit through adding various alcoholic drinks to symbolize the places where the unit has served, and ending by putting in sand for the beaches of Normandy and the desserts of Iraq.
SPC (P) Nick Koulchar was in attendance last night. He was wounded in the war during this deployment and is now a double amputee. He was able to participate in the Grog Bowl Ceremony and also received the Bronze Medal. Oprah visited him when he was recovering in Walter Reed. His courage and persistence has been a true inspiration.
Everything in the Grog Bowl is mixed together and passed around for all the soldiers to enjoy. It looks absolutely gross. The concoction last night was actually green and you could see the sand floating around in it….YUCK! But it is a hit at the balls and the ceremony of it all is fun to watch and be a part of. At one point, all the soldiers were on their feet chanting “USA! USA!”
Note: The chaplain and I did not partake is the GROG, thank goodness!!
After the Grog Ceremony, awards were given out to 1st Sergeants and Volunteers.
I received a Certificate of Appreciation from the 40th Engineer Battalion and a Certificate of Achievement from the 2nd Brigade Combat Team.
It was an honor to be recognized and to receive both of these awards.
My friend Ann was standing beside me. She is 32 weeks pregnant and actually made her own dress! Isn’t that amazing??
Several prizes were raffled off after awards were given out. I helped by picking the winning tickets out of the bowl…very Vanna White-ish.
Prizes ranged from a bottle of wine to a trip to Paris.
Things were getting a bit wild by the end of the drawing and people were ready to party.
The DJ started and the dance floor quickly filled.
And Keith and I headed home to relieve our babysitter and rest from a very fun night!
Sheila says
Hi Monica,The ball looked like soooooo much fun.You’re hair was beautiful and you’re dress was too.I really loved that color on you.You and Keith made a very good looking couple.I know Keith must have been so proud of you. Love you !!! Kiss the kids for me o.k.
Andrea says
Beautiful! I’m glad that you guys had fun. I didn’t know about those traditions, but it doesn’t sound very yummy.
We met Nick at a BBQ next door to us. I didn’t know he was a celeb! Brave man.
Shanna says
This was so much fun to read about, and it looks like a good time was had by all! Very interesting about the drink ceremony, but I agree – YUCK! I would want to stay for the dancing though 🙂 You looked absolutely beautiful….like always!
Uma says
Ok, this is some crazy coincidence. We were at Nordsee in Kaiserslautern yesterday and actually saw SPC Koulchar having lunch nearby.
Glad you guys had a wonderful time. You look beautiful!
Mindy says
You are so beautiful! I love your dress and your hair looks perfect! It sounds like it was a fun night!
Miss you guys!
Min =)
Kristi_runwatch says
how neat!! Thanks for a peek into a military ball… sounds like, well, a ball! 🙂
homegrownstrawberries says
You looks so beautiful and I love the grog it made me laugh quite a bit. If you are going to show comradeship in the military you need to make it hard to swallow so its not to emotional or mushy I guess. I’m glad you had a good time. I’d love to have more reasons to get dressed up.
Pat says
This was so cool! I really enjoyed looking at the pictures. Thanks for sharing this with me!
Amy K. says
Great posting, Monica! I almost feel like I was there! You looked fabulous – Ann too. Ram spouses rule! Congrats on the well deserved awards. I was thinking of you all on the day of the ball.
I finally have a phone, internet connection and I’m nearly unpacked. You all (“y’all”) come see me sometime in Charleston! I’ll have sweet tea and comfortable chairs on the porch.:)
Hugs, Amy K.
Nancy M. says
Y’all make a beautiful couple! I’m glad you were able to have a fun night out. Congratulations on the award!
Jordan says
You looked beautiful! Glad ya’ll had great time! Lots of cool pics!
Maggie says
You look stunning as always. And, I love hearing the tradition of the grog. So cool. I’d love the formals too! One never gets a chance to be a princess and, for me, dance with a prince too often. I’d seize that opportunity just like you. Glad you had so much fun!
LifeAtTheCircus says
You look stunning! I love your spirals! Glad you had an occasion to get dressed up for your man! Thanks for sharing the night with all of us!!
Linda@cookingtipoftheday says
You looked wonderfully princess-like…. thank you for sharing your night… I love to read about it.
nannykim says
So I was wondering if you had to load your hair with hair spray or if your hair holds the curl? The drink sounded, oh so gross!!
Shawn says
Monica, I am planning on attending our first MilBall together at the end of CH-BOLC in August. I noticed your dress is down-to-the-floor formal. Are all MilBalls formal, or little black dress appropriate? tea length? thanks for the insight, my dh wouldn’t know where to begin… LOL
Ann Marie @Household6diva says
I was reminiscing today and thought I’d google your blog post! 🙂
Miss you!!!