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Photo by Hank Lohmeyer Accompanied by fellow Marine Corps veterans, 97-year-old Fredrika Morris, enlisted 1944, and Helen Barton, enlisted 1951, officiated at a ceremonial cutting of birthday cake on the Marines’ 237th anniversary.America is a nation with a destiny and a mission to promote civil society around the world and freedom for all mankind.
That message, delivered by guest speaker Col. Matt Clark, U.S. Army, Ret., rang with truth for 150 people who attended the 1st annual Stars and Stripes Military Ball in Cedaredge at the Stolte Shed on Sat., Nov. 10 – the 237th anniversary of the U.S. Marine Corps and the day preceding Veterans Day.
Col. Clark told his listeners that America is a unique country that offers to anyone who will embrace its ideology the opportunity to enjoy a life defined by the same freedoms and liberty that generations of Americans have known.
And Col. Clark's audience of military veterans from every branch of the U.S. Armed Forces did not need to be told of the struggle and sacrifice that has been required by every generation of free Americans to preserve and protect that legacy handed down by the Founding Fathers of America.
The Stars and Stripes Military Ball was organized by Cedaredge businesswoman Cathy Meskel. For years, she has expressed her own personal thanks to military veterans by sending gift packages overseas to service personnel, organizing rallies in support of troops and American patriotism, and by other activities.
She was joined in the Stars and Stripes Military Ball project by friends, family and sponsors who donated money to stage it, and also by local businesses that donated door prizes: Cedaredge Lodge, Creek Side B&B, Journey into Health and Healing, Coffee Barn, AppleShed, Subway, Drost Chocolates, Rudy's Pizzeria, and NAPA Auto Parts.
The event featured a ceremonial Marine Corps cake cutting with a Marine saber. The event is a traditional way for Marines to commemorate the founding of their service, 237 years ago.
Master of ceremonies duties for the event were provided by SFC Lee White, U.S. Army, Ret. A rousing sign-along armed forces medley was led by singers from the Cedaredge Community United Methodist Church under direction of Bev Gardner and accompanied by Vernette Mackley.
A steak dinner was catered by Les and Dorothy Jean Mergelman. The Delta High School Junior R.O.T.C. presented colors; Midge Haggen performed the National Anthem, and the invocation was given by Wayne Hamrick.
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