Ten years ago, Lowell and I were honored to chair the annual Boca Raton Historical Society Gala. Our honorary chairs with Charlie and Anne Rutherford, Wendy Larson and Bob Long. An extraordinary group of volunteers worked with us (pictured here) to pull off an ambitious undertaking. We themed the event to Boca Raton: The War Years. Everything about the evening carried you back to what life was like here during WW2 (see the photos below from the Historical Society archives). Held at the Great Hall of the Boca Raton Resort and Club, we were able to arrange for 1940s cars and period military vehicles to line the driveway, while inside the ballroom, camouflage netting was draped on all the walls, and we even served grilled SPAM on toast points (delicious by the way). A giant American flag, perhaps 40 wide, was hung across the stage. The walls were bathed in red and blue lights, with white stars projected on them. Red roses were the centerpieces on all the tables, which were draped in white linen over navy blue under skirting. Son Nicholas and his elementary school class sang God Bless America, bringing everyone to their feet. In front of the resort, search lights combed the night sky looking for enemy planes, while in the entryway, Boca Ballet students greeted guests wearing WW2 style military jackets and peaked Army caps and WW2 veterans manned tables displaying artifacts of the war years. Michael Rose and his brilliant orchestra played only 1940s big band music, while the ever-amazing Jan McArt served as mistress of ceremonies. The Andrews Sisters entertained and the entire audience was moved by Navy Seal David Rutherford, just off the battlefields of Afghanistan. In his presentation, David spoke of what it was like to come home from war to find his community honoring service men and women who had gone before him and to feel the patriotism that flooded over this event. It was a great evening and a memory Lowell and I will always treasure.
Posted on: Thu, 14 Aug 2014 21:29:20 +0000
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