The ball

Tonight, 50 years ago, some of us in A6903 attended the Graduation Ball, held the night before graduation. (Today’s date was a Thursday then.)

The picture — from the 6906 Seachest — shows that it took place in the NAVOCS gym, Building 1801. The photo also shows Officer Candidates wearing unstriped uniforms for the last time. And nice outfits, ladies!

I didn’t go. Welcome any memories from those who did.

I guess the ball meant something to some young ladies in the area. As cited in a previous post — Liberties — Greenspon remembers going out with a local girl who was not pleased when she learned he would be going to the ball with his long-time girl friend. Only reason, she told him, that she had dated him was the opportunity to go to the ball.

While we had only one graduation ball to attend, local girls had many. A cohort of Officer Candidates would graduate every month, I believe, and a graduation ball would take place the night before each one. I bet some of those dresses in the picture above saw duty often.