2010 WINE COUNTRY MARINE CORPS BIRTHDAY BALL FACTS:
NEW DATE
The 2010 "Wine Country Marine Corps Birthday Ball" celebrating the 235th Birthday of the United States Marine Corps will be held on Friday, November 5, 2010. This will also be the 25th Anniversary of the Wine Country Marine Corps Birthday Ball. The event includes traditional Marine Corps Birthday Ceremonies and dancing to a live band.
NEW TIME
The Cocktail Reception starts at 7:00 p.m. followed by the Ceremony at 8:00 p.m. A traditional Prime Rib Dinner will be served during the Dance immediately following the Ceremony.
NEW LOCATION
The 2010 Birthday Ball will be held at the Jacuzzi Family Vineyards located at 24724 Arnold Drive in Sonoma, California. Visit the Web site at: http://www.jacuzziwines.com/
The Cocktail Reception will be held within the Courtyard. The Ceremony, Dinner/Dance will be held within the Barrel Room. See photos below:
Courtyard of Jacuzzi Family Vineyards
Barrel Room of Jacuzzi Family Vineyards
General P.X. Kelley, USMC (Ret.) Portrait by Everett Raymond Kinstler
2010 GUEST Of HONOR:
GENERAL PAUL XAVIER (P.X.) KELLEY, USMC (RETIRED) THE 28TH COMMANDANT OF THE MARINE CORPS
We take great pleasure in announcing that General Paul Xavier (P.X.) Kelley, USMC (Retired) the 28th Commandant of the Marine Corps will be our Guest of Honor at the 2010 Wine Country Marine Corps Birthday Ball. General Kelley will be the first former Marine Commandant and the first retired 4-Star General to be our guest of honor.
General "P.X." Kelley (as he is best known) is a Boston Irishman who entered the Marine Corps through Naval ROTC at Villanova University and was a front-runner from the time of his commissioning as a Second Lieutenant in June 1950. His early years of military service included: sea duty on the cruiser USS Salem; Commander of the 2nd Force Reconnaissance Company; exchange duty with the Royal Marines, Tactics Chief of The Basic School; and Commander of the Marine Barracks at Newport Rhode Island.
On his first tour during the Viet Nam war he was the Combat Intelligence Officer for III Marine Amphibious Force and then Commanding Officer of the 2nd Battalion, 4th Marine Regiment. Before his second Viet Nam tour, he served as the Marine Corps Representative at the U.S. Army base at Fort Benning, Georgia, attended the Air War College, and was Aide to the Assistant Commandant, then General Lewis Walt. When he returned to Viet Nam, General Kelley was given command of the 1st Marines, the last Marine Regiment to serve in that war.
As a General Officer, General Kelley commanded the 4th Marine Division. He also served as the Director of the Development Center/Education Center at Quantico, Virginia and as the Deputy Chief of Staff for Requirements & Programs at Marine Corps Headquarters, Wahington. D.C. He was also the first Commander of the Rapid Deployment Joint Task Force - which became the U.S. Central Command.
General Kelley served as Assistant Commandant (during General Robert Barrow's last year), prior to becoming the 28th Commandant of the Marine Corps from July 1, 1983 till June 30, 1987.
TICKETS
Tickets to this popular event are limited and reservations are required. The price per person is only $95. or $190. per couple. Without question, this very elegant Ball is one of the most moderately priced formal events within the California Wine Country today. Order your tickets early by calling: (707) 537-8576. Please leave a message and someone will return your call. If you have attended our Birthday Ball during the recent past, you should be on our mailing list. If so, a formal invitation will be mailed to you after Labor Day. If you do not get this invitation by September 15th, or if you have changed your mailing address, please call (707) 537-8576 and leave your name, address and phone number.
LODGING
The Lodge at Sonoma has special room rates for this event. These rates are for November 5, 2010 only. To receive the special rates you must phone the Lodge at Someone's toll-free Central reservation number (888) 710-8008 and identify yourself as being with "The Marine Corps Birthday Ball" group. The Lodge at Sonoma is located at 1325 Broadway at Leveroni & Napa Roads Sonoma, CA 95476. Phone: (707) 935-6600. Web site: http://www.thelodgeatsonoma.com/
WHO CAN ATTEND
The "Wine Country Marine Corps Birthday Ball" is celebrated annually on or about November 10th in Sonoma, California by Marines, friends of the Corps and members of the other U.S. Armed Forces (Active Duty, Reserve, Retired, or Honorably Discharged). The Birthday Ball is open to both Officer and Enlisted men and women along with their guests.
ATTIRE
Required attire for men is black tie or "best" military uniform. A coat and tie is required. The wearing of miniature medals is encouraged. The formal evening (mess) dress uniform for both Commissioned Officers and SNCOs is a popular choice. The uniform of the Marine Corps League (the scarlet blazer or evening dress jacket with gold cummerbund) is also appropriate. Ladies' attire should meet similar standards.
