The 149th Annual Signal Corps Ball at the Gordon Club on June 26 was an evening filled with ceremony and fun. Units from across the post, including Army, Navy, Marine, and Air Force were represented as well as civilian officials from around the Central Savannah River Area. (Coverage continues in the Signal next week.) The 149th Annual Signal Corps Ball at Fort Gordon celebrated "2009 the Year of the NCO."

More than 500 guests entered the Gordon Club June 26 through the raised saber arches to take part in the night's festivities.

Among the special guests were former members of the 51st Signal Battalion and Leland "Lou" Bressie.

Bressie, born in South Carolina, overcame a serious injury to both of his legs during World War II to become a Major League Baseball starting pitcher.

He pitched for the Philadelphia Athletics from 1947 to 1951 and later the Cleveland Indians. Bressie now resides with his wife Diana in North Augusta, S.C. His courageous story can be found in the book: "The Corporal was a Pitcher - the Courage of Lou Brissie" by Ira Berkow.

Photos by Frank Carter The American solo North Pole explorer, Wave Vidmar, set a world record for the longest swim (three hours) and the longest distance (300 meters) in the Arctic in 2004 and was also one of the distinguished guests.

Entertainment was provided by the U.S. Signal Corps Band, songster Pat Blanchard and the Junior Reserve Officers Corps from Lakeside High School. The drill team performed a rifle demonstration.

One of the two songs sung by Blanchard was "Georgia on My Mind." He sang it in honor of Brig. Gen. Jeffrey Foley, U.S. Army Signal Center and Fort Gordon commanding general. It is one of the general's favorite songs.

Lt. Col. Kris Ellis, 442nd Signal Battalion commander and president of the Adolphus Greely Chapter Signal Corps Regimental Association presented Albert J. Myer Leadership awards to Lenore Sewell and Maj. Kevin Garfield of the 442nd Signal Battalion and Sgt. 1st Class Rodolfo Fuentes of the 551st Signal Battalion.

Talitha Calhoun, Sequoyah Glenn and Chiquena Bennett received the Lt. Col. Jeanne E. Hutchison Memorial Scholarship. Each student received $500.

As the guest speaker for the ball, Foley's topic was about reflection and inspiration. He talked briefly about Bressie, Joey Williams, who received the Nobel Peace Prize for her work in helping to ban land mines, and Erik Weihenmayer, who climbed some of the world's highest peaks including Mount Everest.

Weihenmayer became blind at age 13. More of his story can be found in the book: "Touch the Top of the World."

After the formal portion of the program concluded, the dance floor was opened.