GUESTS AT the Hilton Kingston Hotel ballroom waited patiently for the guest of honour, US Ambassador Stan McLelland, to arrive from Texas for the US Marine Corps' 225th Anniversary Birthday Ball last Saturday night.
And while they waited for about two hours the receiving line of Marines broke up and the Navy men and guests mingled and sippped cocktails.
However, on cue the Marines found their places when the Ambassador's arrival was announced.
As part of the formalities that night was a ceremony of the presentation of the guest of honour, the naming of the Marines and the blessing of the huge anniversary cake.
The cake was symbolically cut with a sword and the first slice went to Ambassador McLelland, the second to the oldest marine present, 80-year-old Pauline Buzan and the third to the youngest marine, Lance Corporal Aaron W. Brown.
That evening, US Marines around the world were gathered to celebrate their 225th anniversary.
Guests enjoyed in a dinner of beef, veal, roasted chicken, stuffed with lobster and scallops, served with fine wines.
Among the guests were Brian Buckley, Julian Laite, Tim Conner, Gavin Tench, Jodee Smith and Shofiya Patel.
