Everyone knows the
story of Cinderella going to the ball, and generally, everyone thinks going to
a ball is just something a princess in a fairytale would do. But for the Airmen
at Dover Air Force Base, in Delaware, the Air Force Ball is a yearly occurrence
that everyone looks forward to. Imagine everyday life as an Airman which
consists of following orders, dressing in perfect regulations, eating boring
cafeteria food, following strict schedules, etc. Perhaps one of the best
rewards would be a night of recognition, delicious food and drinks, letting
loose and dancing, and fellowship with friends, family, and other Airmen. That is
just what the Air Force Ball is, and each year, it truly is a night to remember
and cherish.
Dover, Delaware, is a
small city compared to most, but charming and endearing nonetheless. The Air
Force Base in Dover can be added to the list of the many bases throughout the world. It can be found only a short
distance from Dover Downs Hotel & Casino, where the 67th Air
Force Ball is being held. "Dover Downs is a venue that can host a huge amount of attendees, be rented at a great price, and has a beautiful setting," informs Senior Master Sargent Klink who organized this monumental event for the fourth year. She believes Dover Downs to be the best choice for the Air Force Ball venue. When approaching Dover Downs, a first-timer my feel a bit of confusion by the different parking lots. Some marked with signs
that read, “Valet Parking Only,” and others reading, “Visitor Parking.” Different
entrances will take you to the casino, hotel, or ballroom. An assortment of
people can be found coming in and out of those different entrances. Some people
are dressed to the nines, either exiting or entering the ballroom spinning
doors. Some people are dressed in average looking clothes because they are on
the way to the casino to gamble the night away. Others are dressed in
matching maroon uniforms, those being the valet parkers. At 6:00 P.M., many
cars began to pull into the large parking lots. People in long formal dresses,
Air Force uniforms, or suits step out of the cars and make their way past a
large fountain into the ballroom entrance. Lieutenant Colonel Baugh opens the
door for his date and escorts her into the building with confident strides. For more information on Air Force Ranking, visit this site: Air Force Ranking.
A large curving marble staircase leads to an upstairs room, and makes a perfect backdrop for couples
who are getting their picture taken. A professional photographer takes pictures
of couples who want to order some prints, similar to what they do at high school
proms. The line for photographs reaches back to a small bar where a bar tender
moves quickly and effortlessly to fill the orders of the people. Bottles of liquor
fill the table behind the bartender and the smell of wine floats through the
air. Everyone seems to have an alcoholic beverage in their hand, showing that
they are at least twenty-one. Those who are underage are content with ice water in
their glasses. In the sea of dark navy blue uniforms, the bright colors of
women’s dresses stand out. Bright green, orange, pink, purple, yellow, and sky blue are among the rainbow of colors of the beautiful gowns. Younger guests are mostly likely re-wearing a prom
dress from previous years, happy to get some extra use out of the expensive.
A tall, African American
man wearing his Air Force uniform with countless badges and patches on it, comes bustling through the crowd and snaps a picture. The flash catching
several peoples’ eyes. Another flash, and yet another, and soon he gets close
enough to hear the clicking of the camera as he continues snapping picture after
picture after picture. “Can you tell I like taking pictures?” Lieutenant
Cononel Baugh exclaims with a huge smile as he adjusted his black-rimmed glasses. He has attended what he says seems like countless
Air Force Balls, but his excitement boils over at each and every one of them. He
takes the pictures to upload to his Facebook profile, he informs, as a way to
document the joyous occasion. He promises to “tag” guests in the pictures he
uploads if they "shoot him a friend request." Surely he strives to gain
more friends on Facebook. Lieutenant Colonel Baugh’s enthusiasm seems to
capture the mood of everyone else in every direction the eye can see. The bow-tie on his neck seems to fit his personality perfectly.
The evening truly is set up for the enjoyment of each and every guest who paid for a ticket. For guests
who have small children, a babysitting service is available in the back
hallway. The beloved movie, Frozen, plays on a
big screen T.V. and a couple dozen freshly made cheese and pepperoni pizzas await to be feasted on by the hungry children. A couple Airmen who volunteered as babysitters mention how they are disappointed at not getting the chance dress up and actually attend the ball. Airman First Class Civil explains with a genuine smile, "An Airman is always ready to serve others, so when asked to be a babysitter, I didn't think twice about helping out rather than attending the ball." She bends over to pick up a toddler who instantly begins to play with her long black locks. Back in the main ballroom, a small
band complete with guitars, cellos, violins, a keyboard, and a drumset sat off to the corner, playing an assortment of tunes that blended in with
the chatter of everyone spread out in the ballroom. Airman Bryan Henry rattled
off the titles to a few of the songs the band played, impressing the
older Airmen around him. Lieutenant Colonel Baugh mentions how he is
impressed that a young Airman of 19 would know so many Oldies songs.When asked which part of organizing the ball proved to be hardest, Senior Master Sargent Klick said, "Getting a first speaker. This year we had four different speakers back out at the last minute." No one seems to mind as a video about the Air Force history takes the place of a speaker
The ballroom is
decorated beautifully. Large paintings adorn the walls, murals painted
on the ceiling where intricate chandeliers also hang, hundreds of circular
tables are covered in pure white tablecloths, and centerpieces of beautiful
and fragrant yellow mums are there to remind guests of fall and the changing
of seasons. The silverware shines like it was just polished, and complementary glasses
sit in front of each plate. Small candles set the mood and name tags label each guest’s spot at the table. The stage holds the same yellow
mums that stand out beautifully against the dark blue curtains. A podium on each
side of the stage marks the place where the hosts read the schedule of events.
The fellowship and
friendly banter extinguishes as the playing of the National Anthem is announced. The
room becomes completely silent as a violinist plays the notes perfectly to the
Star Spangled Banner. Everyone shows so much respect as the song is played.
Lieutenant Colonel Baugh, with his hand placed over his heart, holds a new look of
complete seriousness on his face. The room holds the silence as POW/MIA Ceremony
commences. Everyone pays respects to the soldiers who were prisoners of war
or missing in action. Not a single disrespectful noise can be heard in the
room of over 500 people. Soon afterwards, the toasts are given and a magnificent
dinner is served. Large salads start everyone off, and a plate packed full
of steak, grilled chicken, mashed potatoes and mixed vegetables is served to
ladies first. Dessert is a tasty strawberry cake with a decorative chocolate
flower painted on the plate. No one’s stomach has any space left in it after the
meal is over, and all the plates are virtually been licked clean. A small
program is played on a screen that drops from the ceiling and when over, each and every guest stands up and takes part in singing The Air Force Song:
Off we go into the wild
Blue yonder, climbing
High into the sun;
Here they come, zooming
To meet our thunder, At
‘em boys, give’er the gun!
(Give’er the gun!)
Down we dive, spouting a
Flame from under, Off With one helluva roar!
We live in fame or go
Down in flame- Hey!
Nothing’ll stop the U.S.
Air Force!
At that, guests are
turned free to the dance floor as a D.J. begins playing classic dance music. A
very important man walks up and introduces himself as Chief McCoy. He has
uncountable badges, ribbons, and patches on his perfectly tailored uniform. His
petite wife, Lisa, follows close beside him in a short, bright orange and beaded
dress. Her bright blonde hair frames a very friendly looking face as she begins
to strike up a conversation about the town of Dover. “Oh! You’ve been to Dover’s mall? Did it take you
ten minutes to look at everything? I’ve never been in a smaller mall than the
one they’ve got here!” But she quickly calls herself a liar and explains that
her hometown mall was just as bad. She moved to Dover after marrying her
husband who has been stationed there for years. Although Dover has a “certain
charm,” she says, she truly would love to move to a big city such as New York.
To the Airmen of Dover Air
Force Base, and their wives, husbands, girlfriends, boyfriends or family
members who they took as their guests to the 67th Air Force Ball,
the night of September 6th was a special day out of the year to have
a great time. According to Senior Master Sargent Klick, the ball was a success and a total pay-off to her hard work. "The goal was to get more Jr. Airmen to attend...22% of attendees were in this rank," she states with pride in her work. The Air Force Ball is one day out of their year of service to
really celebrate what they stand for. Lieutenant Colonel Baugh could not get
enough of everything the night had to offer, while Lisa McCoy dreams of big
cities. But to every guest there, nothing could beat the feeling of becoming a
prince or princess at a ball.
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