Each year we celebrate the birth of our Corps by attending a Marine Corps Birthday Ball. Since we live in a metropolitan area, and are not near a Marine Corps facility, we have the Ball on a Saturday as close to the 10th of November as possible. As you know the 10th doesn?t fall on a Saturday every year, but since it did this year we wanted to do something even more special. What better way than to honor those Marines that have become our legacy. It is those Marines that have come before us that have made our Corps what it is today. They are part of our history and their actions and deeds have set the standard by which all Marines are judged.
This year?s ?Guests of Honor? at our Ball was fourteen Veterans of Iwo Jima. They represented all the major command elements that took part in the campaign, the 3rd, 4th and 5th Marine Divisions. We had a Corpsman and an Army Air Corp P51 Mustang Mechanic. For many it was their first Marine Corps Ball and they thoroughly enjoyed it.
What a privilege it was to have these men and their families attend. Each one expressed their gratitude and thanked me for the invitation. But it was my honor to be in their presence. They went willing into harm?s way to fight and protect our liberties and freedom. They represent all the core values we hold dear, honor, courage and commitment.
I have attached a photo of the Iwo Veterans who attended our Ball.
Lt Col Charles Haislip
Indianapolis, IN