By Jen Nelson
While they did not crown a prom king and queen, members of the Army Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (ROTC) donned their formal uniforms Friday to celebrate and dance the night away.
The annual Liberty Battalion Military Ball, held at the Brookline Holiday Inn, has been a tradition for the Liberty Battalion since the ROTC program first started at NU in 1951, said Second Lieutenant Lisa Kirby, a graduate of Northeastern. The Battalion includes companies from Northeastern, Boston College and Framingham State College.
After going about a day-to-day routine, the ball gives members a chance to wear their formal uniforms, which Kirby said, “renews our sense of camaraderie and loyalty to our country.”
Cadets recognized the ball as an opportunity to reevaluate their reasons for joining the ROTC.
“It reaffirms to me what the ROTC stands for,” said Cadet Matt Sauro, a freshman criminal justice major in his first year in the ROTC program. “I feel it’s what I’m meant to do.”
The ball began with the presentation of the “colors,” the American and ROTC flags. A toast to the U.S. Army followed.
A ceremony was also conducted to honor the 19 graduating senior members, including Kirby.
“I’ve been so comfortable here, going through the program with the same people for the past five years,” Kirby said.
A speech from retired General John Carlson followed the formal dinner. Carlson served for nearly 44 years before becoming a sports broadcaster who is well-known as the “voice” of the New England Patriots.
Carlson stressed the importance of words on life’s travels, citing famous words throughout history, from Shakespeare to Martin Luther King, Jr.
Carlson said he wanted to make an impression on the young people in the audience.
“I wanted to give them a sense of the importance of what they’re doing,” Carlson said. “We need more of them. They make a commitment and sacrifices.”
Even those who are not members of the ROTC felt empowered by the general’s message.
“The speech the general gave was amazing. It really makes you want to go out and join the armed forces,” said Christine Nelson, a freshman nursing major who attended the ball as the date of a cadet. “It makes us feel like we all have a sense of duty.”
Carlson said the military ball is extremely important to the ROTC program.
“One of the most important things is pulling together the military forces in camaraderie,” Carlson said.
The night of formal traditions concluded with an informal dance, giving the ROTC members a chance to socialize.
“The social part of a soldier’s life is pretty important,” Carlson said. “[It gives them] an opportunity to learn social graces that will benefit them later in life.”
