Military Ball a special night for Mooseheart students

Behind the pageantry, the uniforms, gowns, tiaras and the other things that make Mooseheart's Military Ball special, there is a lot of groundwork that must be done.

And that requires funding for decorations, food and the other elements that make the evening magical for Mooseheart's Naval Junior Reserve Officers Training Corps, a program that all Mooseheart High School students must participate in.

This year, Southern California Moose Legion 6 stepped forward to provide the funding, and Legion 6 Secretary Ben Pendleton attended the Military Ball to confirm funding not just for this year, but to fund it every year into the future.

"We saw it on the Mooseheart 'wish list,'" Pendleton said. "Most of our members are big supporters of this program. If they're not ex-military members, they support the military. We had to make sure that we funded this, and then to make sure that we'd be doing it year after year."

This year's Military Ball, held March 20, was the first to be fully-funded by Moose Legion 6. During the event, the unit was recognized by Mooseheart's students for its support.

"We have solicited funds for this event and the Navy League has taken care of us several times. Out of nowhere, this Moose Legion came through. They talked to us about paying for this event, and it's really great that we don't have to worry about where the funds are going to come from," Mooseheart lead NJROTC instructor U.S. Navy Warrant Officer (Ret.) Rick Smith said.

Pendleton attended the Military Ball with Past International Moose Legion President Mark Klein to show support of the NJROTC program. He said Moose Legion 6 also established a $100 college scholarship for the top Mooseheart cadet, to be presented in May. Each student in the program also received a "challenge coin," which are traditionally carried by military members as a way to enhance morale.

The Military Ball has a long history both in the Armed Forces and at Mooseheart. Smith said its origins are for military personnel who have an evening to forget the dangers of their job and to enjoy time socializing.

"It's one time during the year that you don't think of the time you've been fighting," Smith said. "You're together with your brothers- and sisters-in-arms and you get to enjoy each other's company. You know what you've been through."

At Mooseheart, the students experience NJROTC through classroom studies and drill team or color guard activities and Smith said the Military Ball commands a special place in the calendar.

"With all the time they have in NJROTC and the time they put into being ready for inspections early in morning before school, we want them to celebrate," Smith said. "But we also want them to realize we wouldn't be having any of this without the veterans and the sacrifices they have made. Our students have to know that's important too."

Founded in 1913, Mooseheart is supported completely through private donations - the great majority of which come from the 1 million men and women of the Moose fraternal organization throughout the U.S., Canada, Great Britain and Bermuda. Moose International headquarters is located on the Mooseheart campus.

Mooseheart is currently home to approximately 200 students, from preschool to high school seniors. Applications for admission to Mooseheart are considered from any family whose children are, for whatever reason, lacking a stable home environment.