Lined with decorated alumni and current NROTC and Marine midshipmen, the Great Hall became home to the annual 240th Birthday Ball that was held on Saturday night in the Memorial Union.

This annual celebration commemorates years of services globally, as every Naval services member polishes their shoes in preparation for their unit’s “birthday party.”

With planning for the event beginning in September, a lot of different aspects play into the evening to make sure everything runs as swiftly as possible.

“First and most important is the guest speaker. So, usually a high ranking, military official, Marine Corp or Navy, that we can get to come in and say some inspiring words and get us all motivated,” Randall said.

This year’s guest speaker was Col. Jeffrey Hagan, of the Marine Corps, who had received his commission from ISU’s own NROTC program in December 1988.

The Ball, which began with a social hour at 5 p.m. swiftly led into the ceremony at 6 p.m. which consisted of the playing of the National Anthem, birthday messages and the cake-cutting ceremony.

Two short videos and two shorts speeches by Capt. Ricks Polk and Hagan were presented after the ceremony.

As Hagan took the podium, he began his speech by thanking the midshipmen in their choice to serve.

“You’re about to enter a service with a very strong history of sacrifice and excellence,” Hagan said. “There’s two reasons that you need to study and understand the history and heritage handed to you.”

The night was then followed by dinner and later a dance.