Our birthday ball committee works a lot during the year to bring you a great event. We met recently with the initial planning of the November 4th ball which will once again be at the Best Western Gateway Grand.

We have made some early decisions about the ball, such as keeping the $35 ticket prices, so we are now in a position to roll out our fliers, ad forms and tickets by the beginning of May.  We will be finalizing the menu shortly.  We are scouting some live bands for entertainment as that is what we want to do this year.

Our theme this year will be 100 years since America's entry into The Great War, later known as World War I and we will have some information and decorations at the event to support the theme.  

We are excited to have a retired Marine Colonel coming as our Guest of Honor.  He lives in Live Oak and we will ensure he experiences a top notch birthday ball.

When tickets go on sale (hardcopy and on-line) I will let everyone know.  We will only have 240 tickets, so I know they will sell quickly.  We already have commitments for a good number of tables.  In addition to local guests, we will see people coming from Lake City, Live Oak, Chiefland and Ocala, to name a few.  So when you hear tickets are on sale, please take the opportunity to purchase them before the event sells out.

The Birthday Ball Committee wishes you a good year as we develop this great annual event for you.  Semper Fi.

Scott DuPree
Gator 990 Marine Corps Birthday Ball
Chairman

We have had enough positive feedback that we are now scheduling our social events once a month.  We meet up somewhere on the first Monday of the month.  We want to meet with our friends from the Vietnam Veterans of America, so we wait until they set the location and we meet up with them.

We have been to Gators Dockside, World of Beer, Sal's Place and a few other locations.  We get to see our fellow members as well as some good folks from the VVA.  

It will be every first Monday starting around 5:30pm, so mark your calendars.  Then you just have to watch to see which location we will go to.

Hope to see you at the next one on April 3rd (location to be announced.)

Thanks to the dedication and diligent work by your birthday ball committee, the ball held on November 5th was a premium event.  Our Guest of Honor, MSgt Duane King - Drum Major of the U.S. Marine Band - said he has attended more than 500 birthday balls in his 22-year career, including many in Washington DC and that this our ceremony was "as good or better than any of them, really first class." He spoke highly of all those who led and participated, and the environment of celebration which was created for all in attendance.  

I have to thank Jim Yakubsin for his success in selling tickets, sponsorships and seating assignments.  Assistant Chair Sandy Golden was responsible for the decoration and atmosphere in the room and procuring the items for the auctions.  Sandra Torres-Pintos was the narrator and in charge of the traditional ceremony.  Many thanks to Dave Snyder (TV20) once again for his support in entertainment (and bringing our old friend Ron Burgandy back to the stage.) Our DJ was "DJ Tibbs."  Our photographer was Eric Borkowski.  All of our audio-visual support was handled by Fred Judkins. We had volunteers who participated in the event and worked in positions of support during the evening and to those we said "Job Well Done."

Without our sponsors we would not have had the money to give you this superior event for only $35.00.  ComfortTemp was a major donor.  Joe Vasquez, SkyFrog Tree Service, donated many services.  Kelly Harris, Kelly's Kreations, created and donated the valuable centerpieces. We also thank World of Beer, Hitchcock's Markets, Santa Fe College Subway, and Wade & Christie Wheeler for their generous donations.

Last year the bar was set high.  This year we cleared it.  As Marines do, we will move the bar a little higher and plan to meet that challenge on November 4th, 2017 at the next Marine Corps Birthday Ball at the Gateway Grand.

Semper Fi

Scott DuPree
Chairman, Birthday Ball Committee
Gator Detachment 990, Marine Corps League

One day until the Ball.  You have to give props to your Birthday Ball Committee.  They have pulled together a heck of an event.  They have procured sponsorships and sold ads for the program book in order to provide you with a very nice Ball.  They have used their resources to get things we need such as gifts and decorations and still allowed us to get a great meal and event to you for just $35.00!!  As the Chair, all I really have to do is watch them do their magic and help with decisions.  So this Ball is really their fine work.

Yes we are sold out at 242 seats.  There's a little fluctuation with emergencies here and there but there always seems to be someone standing by waiting for a seat to come open.  Our guests will enjoy a traditional ceremony, some USO Show style entertainment, a silent auction, a live auction, dinner and dancing, and two bars featuring free beer.  The Marines know how to throw a party.

Looking forward to tomorrow.  Once that is done, we will take a break to enjoy our holidays, then begin work on next year's event which will be on November 4th at the same location.   Semper Fi.  - Scott DuPree

Commandant Jim Yakubsin has been working diligently to assign people to tables and seats as he manages the ticket sales for the Marine Corps Ball scheduled for November 5th.  While we have seats for nearly 240 guests, the majority of the tickets were committed with purchases of tables.  At the end of August we only had about 40 tickets left.  We are down to just a handful of tickets and anytime we have a cancellation, Commandant Yakubsin is making adjustments.

The tickets can be purchased at the general meeting on October 18th or through our website as long as they are available.  You may also contact Jim at any time to obtain tickets or be put on a waiting list.

Looking forward to the party!

We will celebrate the Marine Corps Birthday in November with our friends and now you can buy your tickets for the big event!

Don't wait too long.  We have a limited number of tickets and before we have even sold the first one, we have commitments for nearly half the seats already.  But money talks.  Purchase your tickets to ensure you get a seat at our annual gala!

Just letting you know that the planning of the 2016 Birthday Ball is in full swing.  We have identified a theme and we are procuring advertisements for our program book and major sponsors.  The event will be at the Best Western Gateway Grand and we are fortunate to have General Manager Ron Gromell, a Marine, joining us for meetings.

We are looking forward to having 230 guests (perhaps a few more), a superior traditional ball ceremony, a great meal, an interesting program and an active and engaging entertainer.  We will once again feature a silent auction and we will have an auctioneer to auction off a few large items.

Tickets should be available in June after we solidify a few details.  Tickets will be limited in number.  We are expecting guests once again from out of state as well as a few other Marine Corps League detachments.  So when tickets are available, don't put it off.  Make your purchase and reserve your tickets to the big event.  Semper Fi!!

Gator Detachment raised over $600 for the cancer society in our community at the annual Relay for Life event.  SrVice Commandant Vernon Kisling led the effort as usual and did a superb job.  He solicited the support of members, citizens and businesses.  Job well done, Vernon!

As promised, the officers elected at the February general meeting were installed at the April general meeting.  Past Commandant Scott DuPree was the Installing Officer.  

The existing incumbents had been reelected and will continue for another term in their positions.  Commandant Jim Yakubsin said he was pleased that his staff had the dedication to assist him for another year.  Senior Vice Commandant Vernon Kisling has taken the monitoring of community service hours to a new level.  Junior Vice Commandant Bob Gasche has worked with the membership to combat delinquency and helping to round up those who have not been attending.  Judge Advocate John Murdoch, who also serves as the District 2 Vice Commandant, completed revisions in the past year to our bylaws and has been regularly attending Department events.

View our list of officers to see the other members who have accepted roles on the staff to help the Detachment take care of business.  And remember we can always use your help and your talents.  Come be part of a very cool team.

Again, thanks very much to our officers for dedicating their time and efforts in leading us for another year.    

Due to the Commandant and the Adjutant/Paymaster being out of state for a funeral at the time of the last general meeting, which would have been the installation of officers, the installation was postponed until the April general meeting on April 26th.

Attendance is encouraged to show our support for our detachment leaders.