Honor Guard Ball 2012

Last night was the much anticipated 50th United States Coast Guard Honor Guard Ball. It was the largest attendance in the history of the Honor Guard and had more really important military dudes and dudettes than ever. My friend Nicole came over around four to get ready together and we barely made it to the ball by the time everyone was sitting down for dinner at 7. We sat at a table with some really important people with cool uniforms that had more medals and hoop-la than the dad gum girls scouts. The ceremony began with colors. Typical. Except for the fact that one of the Honor Guardsmen just happens to be a birds of prey handler and came up behind the flags carrying none other than a bald eagle. That's right. A real, live, terrifying bald eagle. It was so cool. While the Star Spangled Banner was being sung, the bird pitched in and screeched a few times. All the while, I SWEAR the bird only broke eye contact with me maybe twice. I don't know if there was some weird bird/byrd connection but my heart was racing and I was sure the bird was going to take my face off right in the middle of the song. God bless America. 

 Then we ate dinner, and listened to lots of people thank lots of other people and I felt like we clapped for thirty minutes. Then it was time for awards. There were a couple of awards given out big officer dudes and then there was a Miss Congeniality of sorts voted on by fellow shipmates. And... Kenny won one! He got the Chief's Award for Leadership!! It was so exciting. There he is getting his picture with the Commandant of the Coast Guard, Master Cheif and the Major General. (For all you have know idea what those terms mean including yours truly, they are the biggest deals you can be in the CG. It was quite the honor for Kenny B.)

 There he is giving a thank you speech. 

 My handsome award winner

 After awards were given out we stood around and talked, hunted down the eagle, and took lots of pictures. Then we made our way to the dance floor. I'm debating if I should tell you guys a story. Ok. Yeah, I shall. So, background- last HG ball I was a newbie, shy, just checking things out. So, when Kenny wanted me to dance I was very reserved. Then the CG Ball rolled around, I had a blast dancing with all our friends but stayed in the typical dance boundaries. That being said, this might be our last ball, we might move somewhere, not be close to balls, you just never know in the military, so I decided earlier that night that I was going to dance. I stinking love to dance and if people wanted to laugh at me, great, I was gonna break it down. So we are on the dance floor, having a grand ole time and you guys, I am not sure I can put into words what happened. The best way I can describe it was a Nicki Minaj takeover. Super Bass came on and I screamed like Nicki Minaj herself was coming out to sing. Then I took it upon my self to run to the front of the dance floor and sing at the top of my lungs. It. Was Awesome. I have a bucket list. And as of last night I made a mental note to add become a rock star. And learn to sing.

Here we are last night after all that dancing-

And then lastly a shout out to my wonderful friend Nicole. I haven't even known her a year but it feels like we were separated at birth! (She got all the good looking genes!) Balls are off the radar more fun when she is around, and just day in, day out life! So, a little MM+N photo shoot!

That is all for now! 

With love, 

MMB