The Navy League of the United States, Minnesota Council hosted the 247th Navy/Marine Corps Birthday Ball on October 15, 2022 at the Mystic Lake Casino and Conference Center in Prior Lake, MN. This year’s theme was “On Watch 24/7 for 247 Years”
This was the first joint Navy and Marine Corps birthday ball attended by Marine Wing Support Squadron (MWSS) 471, Marine Corps Recruiting, the Naval Reserve Center (NRC), University of Minnesota Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC), Naval Talent Acquisition Group – Northern Plains (NTAG) and the Minnesota Council.
Guest of Honor was Capt. David Miller, Commodore Littoral Combat Ship Squadron TWO, a 1991 graduate of the University of Minnesota Naval ROTC program. We were also privleged to have several crewmembers from the USS Minneapolis Saint Paul, including Commanding Officer Hiram Andreu join us for the evening.
The Joint Honor Guard/Colors presentation was performed by the University of Minnesota ROTC cadets and cadets from Twin Cities Squadron Sea Cadets. This was immediately followed by a Sword Detail and ceremonial cake cutting with the oldest/youngest Marines and oldest/youngest Navy personnel. The oldest Navy member was Fire Controlman Jim Clermont who enlisted in the Navy in the fall of 1942. Mr. Clermont saw duty in World War II in Europe on the USS Herndon (DD-638) during D-Day.
The Minnesota Navy League Chapter, a 501c3 is a non-profit registered with the State of Minnesota.
Video from the ball can be seen at: https://youtu.be/CrwVRzTdFSM
Media Contact Patricia Dolan, VP Communications, Minnesota Navy League
pkdolan37@gmail.com 703-851-5684
