Hawkeye Ball

Well, we are Navy.

No Chair Force here

And My Love, is a Naval Aviator.


His aircraft is the E2 Hawkeye - which is pertinent today, because this weekend was the annual Hawkeye Ball.

(This is a picture from the weekend My Love was winged - 2 1/2 years ago. 

We didn't have Boy Bean, and Bitty Bean was only 6 months old.

 But this is the only picture I have of his aircraft.)

Unfortunately, My Love is away at school - 4 weeks down, 2 to go - so I went solo.


Fortunately, the people in his squadron are FUN - so I had a blast anyway.


The Hawkeye Ball is not as loaded with rules as the Dining out, but it is still a formal affair.

Translation: I got to dress up!

A friend came over and did my hair.....

A couple pictures of the "in progress"....

Here is the finished product: 

We did a little photo shoot.... and I felt pretty dumb standing there posing. 
I don't think I could EVER model.
(Not like I've had offers. Aside from being 5' 5" and smooshy. )
 It is just strange to be standing there having someone snap away!

Then off to the ball I went, in my wonderful Carriage, er, Toyota Sienna Swagger Wagon. 

The ball is always well attended. The military dress is for Choker whites or mess dress...which translates to a cocktail dress or formal/floor length in civilian terms. :) Basically, the clothing runs the gamut from floor length with a small train, to what I'm wearing! 

That is one of the fun parts for me - people watching.  There are prom dresses, and gloves, and updo's, and short dresses, and heels, and uniforms, and just all sorts of fashion commentary fodder. 

After the cocktail hour, we are all summoned to the banquet hall by "The Original Puff-Daddy"

While I'm not a huge fan of the bagpipe...

I mean playing a bagpipe is kinda of like throwing a Javelin blindfolded. You don't have to be very good to get everyone's attention....

this piper was enjoyable. 

In the banquet hall, each squadron was responsible for decorating their own tables....and I think our ladies did a wonderful job!

In the beginning of dinner, after the presenting of colors and the National Anthem; our attention is turned to the POW/MIA table. This is the table honoring and remember those who can't be with us - or who have missed these occasions in the past. This table set for one, with every item on it representing some aspect of their separation, how it effects the person away and all of us as a military community; is a sobering and respectful moment.  This tradition keeps us linked together through our military history - when one person is gone, we are all affected. As it says in the script:

Remember... all of you who served with them and called them comrades, who depended on their might and aid, and relied on them... for surely... they have not forsaken you.

Regarding the actual meal part of dinner....my food was good! 

If ever you go to a large gathering like this, please ignore the siren song of the ribeye. It will be undercooked and bleeding all over your side dishes.

Also, don't get the chicken. It will be dry as can be and tough.

People - listen to me: Get the fish. Always. You have the highest chance of it being cooked properly because the fewest number of people will have ordered it. AND it is typically the smallest entree, so if it is gross, your side dishes are not ruined. 

You can thank me later.

Overall, it was a great night.  Good memories made by all. 

~Whitney Copyright 2012