Navy Seabees celebrate 77th birthday at 4th Annual Ball

Community, Lifestyle

Island Cmr Keith Hunter

Navy Seabee Veterans of America (NSVA) Island X-3 CDR EA1 (SCW) Blairsville gathered to celebrate the 77th birthday of Navy Seabees at North Georgia Technical College’s Ballroom in Blairsville. Tickets for the March 1st ballroom event were sold out, according to Ed Crenshaw, Event Co-ordinator.

Left to Right: Emery, Hunter, Crenshaw

The Seabee Ball began the evening ceremonies at 1815 by Island X-3 CDR EA1 Keith Hunter, USN-Ret. This was followed by an invocation from Chaplain CE1 (SCW) Richard Hoibraten, USN-Ret.

Posting of the Colors was provided by Mountain Area Christian Academy (MACA) JRROTC Cadets. The equivalent of a public high school ROTC program. MACA’s Elizabeth Lee, Danielle Mannellino, Tara Carroll, Mattie Coffey, Destiny Carroll, Danny Gonsalus, and Elijah Carroll participated.

Chaplain CE1 Richard Hoibraten

MACA JRROTC posts the colors

Highlights of the ball consisted of:

  • Meaning of the Missing Man chair and table: Chaplain Richard Hoibraten, USN-Ret.

  • “Amazing Grace”: Chief Warrant Officer Jerry Cannon on bagpipes.

    CWO and Mrs Jerry Cannon

  • Introduction of Special Guests: Clarance “Bud” Johnson and Tom Pike.

  • History of Seabees: CMDCM (SCW) Neal Beard, USN-Ret.

Clarance “Bud” Johnson and Jack Pope- WWII Veterans

Johnson was a witness to the flag raising in Iwo Jima. He will celebrate his 97th birthday this week. Another WWII veteran, Jack Poke, was also in the audience enjoying the evening.

A silent auction, door prizes, military trivia, great food and appetizers were followed by DJ, Bill Grove.

Grove kept the attendees on the dance floor for the last two hours of the Ball with many of their favorite tunes ranging from the 1940’s to current hits.

It was a wonderful time of laughter and camaraderie by all who attended.

NSVA Island X-3 CDR EA1 (SCW) Blairsville is seeking new members. More information can be obtained by contacting Ed Crenshaw [email protected] or Keith Hunter [email protected].

(Please follow FetchYourNews on Facebook where you can view more pictures of the year’s event.)

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