err... that would be the U.S.Marines by the way.

If I can wear my VDV parade uniform... why not

I'm sure you'd get a proper U.S.M.C. welcome
( and yes I did have to look up VDV )

Will they be bringing nylons, comics and chewing gum..?

I have thoroughly enjoyed all of the Marine Balls I have been to around the world. Good food, good music for dancing, men looking very spruced up and dashing in their dress uniforms ( not just the Marines) plus all the interesting pomp and ceremony that goes with part of it. Happy birthday US Marines.

But can someone who doesnt have an invitation just get a ticket and join?

Gathered that from the title - otherwise you would have said "Celebrate with The Marines"

Uhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh this is funny

Yes and no. It varies place to place, I think dependent on the preceived security risk. But if you are interested, then ring the US embassy and ask to speak with the Marine in charge of selling tickets. He will then tell you how it works in Geneva. You can expect to have to give details of identity including showing your passport and letting them know why you want to go. Diplomatic Corps, ex marines or USA military personnel, civvie Americans, then other folk, seems to be the order.

I heard Marines have very small balls... How do you find them ?

You heard right,this has a very good reason ,has some thing to doo with "Been a Small Target"But if you get hit by one of them you are dead meat

I believe so Gata... there was a phone no. to call for actual tickets to what I received was more of an invite to pay up.. *L*

again.. as per my "invite" there was a cell.phone no. listed... and I've inlcuded that in the first message above.

skip trying to ring the Mission and just dial the cell.

tell them "charlie" sent you and the code word of the day is "blue"

would a face like this lie?

I guess because there will be marines in uniform is not a very good reason is it?

*hugs Gata*


I have many fond memories of my parents getting all gussied up for the Marine Corps Birthday Ball. My mother has sensitive skin so hardly ever wore make-up... but she always looked her best to go out on my father's arm while he looked sharp in his Blues.

My father has promised to wear his Blues any time any of us kids ask. He said we lived our life to the beat of the Corps so if we want him to wear them, he will.

I remember my father shining all of his brass buttons and the buckle of his belt and his shoes... everything to look perfect. I remember him adjusting his "fruit salad" (ribbons) and explaining what the different ones represented. I remember feeling so proud to find out that my father was a top shot marksman, even though he worked in communications and electronics.

The most recent memory of him wearing his blues was about 17yrs or so ago now (goodness time has flown!) when the older of my two younger brothers got married. He'd been retired for a lil bit already but still looked so sharp!

I googled him to see if there were pictures floating around Even so, he retired a Sergeant Major, there are plenty of pictures of Sergeants Major floating around and they all have that same look he always has.


Ahh... thinking of that "look"... lol!
When I was 22'ish, hanging out with my girlfriends who were enamored with the sailors, I remember one time meeting someone who was a bit of a screwup but ooooh soooo cute. We got to talking about where each of us was from and so on, so forth, he suddenly says "Hey, wait! You're Sgt. Maj (so-and-so)'s daughter?!" When I replied to the affirmative, he says "Well, it was mighty nice meeting you but I gotta go!"

Turns out he'd gotten into some kind of trouble with some marines and his NCO had to deal with my dad to get things straight. LOL Poor guy, my dad DID have a bit of a well earned rep back in those days.

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