published: Saturday, February 09, 2013

Military Ball plans in full swing

Special to the News-Sun

SEBRING - Tickets are available for the Seventh Annual Highlands County Military Ball, sponsored by the Veterans Council of Highlands County, to be held Saturday, Feb. 23 at the Island View Restaurant in Sun 'N Lake..

Rick Ingler, president of the Veterans Council of Highlands County, reports the recommended dress for the event will be formal/mess dress, or semi-formal/unit dress. If the veteran or military personnel wear the mess dress uniform, their date for the evening should be in formal attire. Should the veteran choose to wear the veteran organization unit attire, their date can choose to dress formal or semi-formal.

The evening events start with a 5 p.m. social hour, followed by an opening ceremony and buffet banquet at 6 p.m. The Regimental Mess will follow, along with recognition of the veterans organizations in the county. The Veteran of the Year, Non-Veteran of the Year, and Veteran Unit of the Year will be announced during the ceremony.

Activities during the Military Ball include dancing, door prizes, and a 25/25/50 raffle, and silent auction. Closing ceremonies will begin at 11 p.m. The band for the evening is 'Groovus', playing hits from the '50s, '60s, and '70s.

The menu for the Ball includes slow-cooked prime rib, cornish game hen, or vegetarian lasagna, along the traditional sides, coffee or tea, and a cash bar. Dessert will be provided with the military cake cutting ceremony.

Ticket price to the bash is $35 per person. For more information, contact Ingler at 273-5182, or the Veteran Services Office at 402-6623. Tickets are available at many of the veteran organizations.

: American Legion, Am Vets, Homeowners Association, DAV, Elks, Knights of Columbus, MOAA, MOPH, Sea Services Museum, Tanglewood, Tropical Harbor, U.S. Military Motorcycle Veterans, VFW, and WAVES. Volunteers at the Veteran Services Office will have tickets available.

Corporate sponsors are welcome. Proceeds from the Military Ball stay in the county, adding to the coffers of the Veterans Assistance Fund, and other special projects directed through the Veterans Council of Highlands County, Inc. For more information on becoming a corporate sponsor or to make door prize or silent auction donations, contact Mary Margaret Staik at the Veteran Services Office, 402-6623.