Farmingdale, NY – January 26, 2007.  For the second year in a row, over 70 members and friends from the Col Francis S. Gabreski Squadron came out to celebrate at the second annual Long Island Group Military Ball which was held at Dave and Busters in Farmingdale.

Master of Ceremonies Captain Alan Gibbs, the Group’s Deputy Commander who planned the event welcomed everyone in attendance and thanked them for their hard work and dedication over the past year.  After the colors were posted by the 2006 Long Island Group Color Guard Champions, the Col. Francis S. Gabreski Squadron, the traditional toasts were given and those in attendance then sat down to enjoy a fine meal.

Once dinner was concluded, the LI Group Annual awards were presented.  The Group’s Senior Member of the Year was presented to its former commander, Lt. Col. Norman Greenberg.  The Long Island Senior Squadron was honored as the 2007 LI Group Squadron of the Year. C/Major James Ridley II was named the LI Group Cadet of the Year and C/TSgt Carissa Lackey was named the LI Group Cadet NCO of the Year.  Major Ellen Hirsch received her Yeager Award from the Group Commander Major Jack Ozer and C/2d Lt. Alex Scandialoto received his Billy Mitchell Award after a presentation given by his squadron commander Major Mike Mooney.

Once the awards were handed out the colors were retrieved and all that was left was desert and a lot of dancing, mostly by the cadets.

Picture:  Former Long Island Group Commander, Lt. Col. Norman Greenberg, receives the Long Island Group’s Senior Member of the Year Award from the Group’s Deputy Commander and Master of Ceremonies, Captain Alan Gibbs.