Local Seabees celebrate 83rd birthday in style

That is what Seabees Island X-3 Cmdr. Dr. Tammy Holloway said was a big part of the event. To remember the history and sacrifice of American servicemen and women is important, but recognizing the value in comradery also has its place.

“Tonight isn’t just about looking sharp … It’s about honoring our service, our history, and most importantly, the foundation that keeps us strong through every mission, deployment and homecoming – our family,” Holloway said.

And on the subject of holding people and communities up, special recognition was afforded to guests like the Union County Sheriff’s Office and the Union County 911 Dispatch and first responders.

Representatives of both groups were dolled up and present that night, supporting friends and family and receiving praise of their own for the work they do to keep everyone safe on the home front.

Other prominent guests included the North Georgia Composite Squadron of Civil Air Patrol Cadets, who performed the posting of the colors, and CWO Jerry Cannon and members of the Appalachian St. Andrew’s Pipes & Drums Band, who performed a somber rendition of “Amazing Grace.”

Their song followed the traditional Missing Man Salute, as carried out by Brian Parker. Built upon symbolism, the fallen of all military branches and prisoners of war are remembered with a single empty table adorned with items like an inverted glass to symbolize their absence, and a pinch of salt, such as that in the bitter tears wept for their fate.

U.S. Rep. Andrew Clyde, a Seabee veteran himself, makes a point of visiting the event every year. For 2025, he had some updates for the public on what has been going on at the national level.

“What you have probably heard in the media is that there have been a lot of comments saying we are going to take people off of Social Security, off of Medicare and off of Medicaid,” Clyde said. “Well, I stand here right now and tell you that is a lie.”

He went on to say that anyone “legitimately” part of the aforementioned programs – and who is a legal resident of the United States – will retain their benefits. And he noted that the goal of ongoing efforts by the Trump administration is to “get rid of fraud, waste and abuse.”

The keynote speaker for the evening was another familiar figure to local veterans: retired U.S. Navy Reserve Master Chief Ronald O’Neal Beard. Beard retired after a career spanning more than two decades.

Seabee Veteran Ed Crenshaw, organizer of the ball, found it fitting that Beard serve as the keynote speaker since he was present the very first year. Beard reminisced about the history he’d witnessed in the past 10 years – and how the ball has grown from its humble beginning.

Though Beard used some humor in his talk – admitting he wasn’t sure what to talk about and settling on “rambling” – he echoed Holloway’s earlier sentiment about the ball being a place for veterans and their families to unite and how much it’s meant to him over the years.

For example, the first Seabees All-Military Ball was held in Blairsville and was a much smaller affair than it turned out to be at the Ridges, where guests enjoyed a bar with a meal, a silent auction, door prizes and fun on the dance floor with a live DJ.

Still, some things have stayed the same over the years, including the decision to honor missing and fallen military members and recognize each branch separately. These were some of the things that resonated with Beard the most when he recalled the memories of that first ball.

“That was such an awesome experience, to be able to sit down at the Seabee Ball and have all those other members of the service there with us,” Beard said.

And so it remains today, an event organized by the Seabees that celebrates the shared experience of all those who serve.