Soaring Into The Future

Story & Photos by SPC Charles Ames    -   Posted Aug, 2000

Pools of light accented some of the 70 tables stretching across the expanse of the softly-lit Tacoma Convention Center.

SFC Janice Jeffery signs guests in and checks the seating chart
    

While its possible to divide the center into as many as seven different meeting areas, this night the center was opened to its largest, fullest configuration. 

Over 640 guests were in attendance at this year's Militia Ball, an event with a history dating back more than a generation.

As the guests arrived, the 133d Army Band (Washington Army National Guard) welcomed them with a selection of big band favorites.  Each ticket holder was given a souvenir coin to commemorate their participation.

 

 

 

Washington Air National Guard General Officers with the Adjutant General
Some of our Senior Non-Commissioned leadership

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The volume of effort that went into this year's event certainly overshadowed that of any previous year.  Our hats are off to the members of the Militia Ball 2000 Committee, many of whom have given of their time in support of this event, over and over, for years.

The Militia Ball 2000 Committee (center); The 133rd Army Band (bottom, right)
    

The Master of Ceremonies was MAJ Floyd Dugger, recently retired from the Washington Army National Guard.  He and his wife were outfitted in full renaissance regalia and he performed his duties with what may certainly be described as 'flair'.     

Master of Ceremonies, MAJ Floyd Dugger (Ret)

As the festivities began, MAJ Dugger introduced the special guests for the evening, then the combined services Color Guard posted the national colors.  The National Anthem was sung, and Chaplain Brigadier General Langford gave the invocation.

MAJ Dugger gave a dramatic reading of the history of the Washington National Guard punctuated with period selections played by the band.  Customary toasts were presented, but the Master of Ceremonies captured the 'aaaw' award with a surprise presentation of flowers to his wife at the culmination.

 

 

 

Icing on the cakes
    

Salad was coupled with two or three types of bread.  Dinner was served consisting of a sirloin or broiled breast of chicken with vegetables and sauces.  Following dinner, the three cakes, which had been on prominent display, representing the Militia Ball and both arms of the Guard, were divided up for dessert.

 

 

Members of the 2-146th Field Artillery
MG Scoggins (l), the Adjutant General (c) and BG (Chaplain) Langford (r)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

BG Legowik (l) and COL Toney (r)
COL Kelly (l) and COL Hillman (r)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Before the official events of the evening wrapped up, reverence was paid to those who could not be present - our comrades fallen in the line of duty.

SPC Mary Holman and her husband, L/Cpl Gary Holman
    

A table had  been set off to the side of the main floor with five place settings to represent the five active branches.  SPC Mary Holman and L/Cpl Gary Holman, read a gripping elegy entitled 'Just A Simple Soldier', to the hushed crowd.

A rememberance of our fallen comrades

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The national colors were retired but the festivities had really just begun.  Slowly the Guardsmen broke up into small groups and the dancing began.   Among the selections played was a rather festive waltz called (let me double-check my notes here) um... 'The Chicken Dance' - apparently an annual tradition of some sort.      Dancing finally wrapped up after about 1:00 a.m.  All in all, as they say, a splendid time was had by all.  See you next year.