Marine Corps Ball in Quito

Honoring her dad with her "Ike" pin

Shelly's dad Ike Gaunt was a proud and honored U.S. Marine, serving his country in Okinawa and China during World War II.  To honor Ike and his colleagues on the occasion of the Marine Corps' 239th birthday, we went to Quito for the Embassy Marine Security Guard Detachment's Marine Corps Ball.  Belting out national anthems, marching Marines in full dress, pomp and tuxes, proud stories of heroism and patriotism, ambassadorial speeches in two languages, birthday cake cutting ceremony, J.W. Marriott dinner service, and dancing our shoes off.  In short, we had a ball! Made us very proud to be Americans and to be children of heroes.  Happy birthday, Marine Corps!  Semper Fi.

Shelly got a kick out of meeting
the young Marines who reminded her
of her daddy.