Dining Out

We were privileged to attend Ariel's ROTC Dining Out Military Ball last Friday.
They used to be called Dress Mess.

As Battalion S3 (operations officer) this semester he planned the entire event.
They started working on it at the start of the semester.

The Army is big on tradition and history, and this evening was no exception.

There was a table in a prominent place set for one.
A single Red Rose and a Red Ribbon signifies remembrance of Fallen Comrades.
Felllow soldiers who have given their all in every war that America has fought.
App State has already lost two ROTC alumni in our current War on Terror.

Several proscribed toasts follow, starting with "We Toast the President of the United States" and ending with "We toast the Ladies!"
Then the Colonel started the dinner, while a slide show of each of the MS4 (Senior) Cadets played.
All of us submitted pictures, and it was interesting to see which ones Ariel chose.
It was funny, and very touching as well to see these young soldiers as cute little Young'uns.

Afterwards the Colonel made a few brief remarks, and introduced the guest speaker, a young Captain who graduated in '05.
He has already seen two combat tours in Iraq.
He gave very good advice about cultivating a relationship with your NCO's, (Go out and have a beer or two with them. The Army runs because of it's Senior NCO's) and looking after your young enlisted men.
"They will be looking up to you for guidance and discipline. Their Body Armor will most likely be too small, and their Kevlar (helmet) too big. Their ACU's seldom fit as well.
Take care of them"
He also advised them to learn to think on their feet, and to study the art of War Craft.
Keep your boys alive and bring them home!

We then took part in pinning his branch insignia on his uniform.
Ariel will be infantry, attached to the Big Red One, First ID based in Ft Knox KN

It was a proud moment pinning those crossed rifles on his Class A uniform.
He has diligently been working out for two years, and the uniform that hung rather loosely after BCT grad now fits like he is fixing to explode out of the tunic.
My son is a stud!

Proud Momma and Daddy to be sure!

The last picture shows that Queen Felica is adept at making friends wherever she goes.
We spent a glorious spring day in Blowing Rock, one of our favorite NC Towns.