Have you been invited to a Marine Corps Ball lately? If not, chances are you aren’t quite famous enough.
I am kidding, of course. Since becoming a Marine wife, I have attended several balls, held each November to honor the founding date of the Marine Corps. Think of it as a prom for Marines on their company’s birthday. It is a big deal – everyone dresses up, then eats and dances after a ceremony to honor all Marines past and present.
The only ball I’ve been to that had anyone even remotely famous was one we attended out in San Diego. U.S. soccer star Mia Hamm attended that ball because at the time, she was married to a Marine CH-53E helicopter pilot. The two divorced the next year and that was my brush with fame at a Marine Ball.
But, lately, a Marine inviting a celebrity to the ball has become the latest new craze. First was Sgt. Scott More. He is currently serving in Afghanistan, but will be back in Greenville, North Carolina for his Marine Ball on November 18th. On a dare from a fellow Marine, he posted a YouTube video asking actress Mila Kunis to attend the ball with him. Kunis’ Friends with Benefits co-star Justin Timberlake told her she needed to do it for her country and Kunis accepted.
Just days later, Corporal Kelsey De Santis made her own video, asking Timberlake to attend the Marine Ball with her. He accepted, saying that he wasn’t doing it just to be nice, but “I don’t ever get asked out ever! So I was very flattered by that.”
Attempting to strike while the celebrity iron was hot, next was Sgt. Ray Lewis, who asked 90-year-old Betty White to be his date. He said he asked because “She’s funny, she’s sweet, she’s mature, she’s the all around perfect woman.” Well put Sgt. Lewis! However, White had to decline due to scheduling issues.
It may appear that the opportunity for Marines to get celebrities to attend the ball with them has come to an end with the latest refusal. Sgt. Dustin L. Williams created a video asking newly single Scarlett Johansson to attend his ball on November 10th. Still, he scored a case of champagne out of the deal when Johansson issued a statement which read, “Sgt. Williams, unfortunately due to prior commitments I will not be able to attend the Ball with you this year but I am sending you a case of Moët and Chandon with gratitude.”
While it sucks she won’t be able to attend, she did end her statement with “In my absence, I raise a glass to you and all the men and women of the U.S. Marine Corps, past and present, in thanks for your continued commitment to preserving the safety of our nation.” Well put Scarlett!