July 10, 2014 -- For the 12th consecutive year, the City of Albany’s Recreation and Parks Department sponsored a prom night for senior and not-so-senior citizens, June 20, at the Albany James H. Gray Sr. Civic Center in Albany, Georgia.
This annual event, complete with red carpet, limousine rides, music, food and fun is geared toward community members who may not have been able to attend their high school prom.
As a local disc jockey played non-stop tunes from the 60s to more current hits, Marines, sailors and officers from the Albany Police Department helped the seniors “strut their stuff” on the dance floor.
Then-Staff Sgt. Tony Robinson, inventory management assistant, Weapons Systems Management Center, Marine Corps Logistics Command, said being able to provide a sense of joy to the elderly so they may relive their high school prom was breathtaking.
Tee Taylor, recreation supervisor and prom coordinator, said, “The Marines and Sailors always make a big difference in our event and the seniors really enjoy seeing them each year. One of the older ladies, age 83, remarked about how patient they were with her and several more said they always make them feel special.”
Taylor noted, “The seniors see many of the military members as their own grandchildren and in turn, they had a chance to enjoy music their parents and grandparents listened to. Marines have participated since the first year and it was great to see the sailors this year. We really appreciate them.”
Lt. Cmdr. Donald Mitchell, senior nurse, Naval Branch Health Clinic, said this was his first time participating.
“This will definitely not be my last,” he said. “The event was fun and the way those seniors were dancing, I couldn’t imagine them at half their current age because they were getting down all night.”
Another first-time attendee, Master Sgt. Alejandra Medina, retail chief, Marine Corps Community Services, Marine Corps Logistics Base Albany, said, “I really did enjoy myself hanging out and dancing with some really amazing people.”
“This was not my first time volunteering for this event, but I had a great time with the seniors and enjoyed putting a smile on their faces,” Sgt. Marcus Keyes, training noncommissioned officer, Operations and Training Division, MCLB Albany, said.