European Stars and Stripes (Newspaper) - July 23, 1990, Darmstadt, Hesse A amps Vinca Crawley festive ballroom in Heidelberg dress uniforms glitter candlelight and regimental a bal signal corps Cinderella evening by Effie Bathen staff writer t he Ball was about to begin Stephanie Spengler turned to the woman next to her in the powder room for help with pinning the ribbons on her Blouse. She used that Universal female tone As in Quot is my slip showing Quot a that rallies any woman to help another the Young signal corps lieutenant was not asking about Silken bows and Chiffon however she was adjusting the unit citation ribbons above the Spengler Nam tag on her military dress Blue uniform. A Quarter of an Inch seemed right. Quot it takes a while to get things to look pretty sometimes Quot the Young woman said finishing the final primping for the signal corps version of a Cinderella evening. The recent european regimental signal Ball in Heidelberg West Germany celebrated the 130th anniversary of the corps. It was one of the largest events of the military Community s formal Dinne dance season and More than 800 officers warrant officers. And civilians with their guests attended each brigade could invite a limited number of High ranking civilian employees to the event dress uniforms glitter candlelight and regimental Orange the official signal corps color flooded the ballroom of the Heidelberg officers and civilians club. A summer storm rolled around outside on the hot steamy saturday evening air it was a lot like the summer nights in Augusta a the Home of the signal corps. A we would t miss it for anything. Its like a High school reunion Quot said maj. Lynn Weber. He said that to was seeing fort Gordon friends head known since his Basic class in 1974, and the advanced class in 1979. They were mostly lieutenants then. His wife Chris now also a major but in the army nurse corps said that they had attended one or two balls each year. She had gone to at least 20 Over the years she said. She agreed with most Ball guests who said they came to get re acquainted with old friends. Indeed most in the massive ballroom greeted old friends with Hearty hugs and laughs. Some in an awkward moment sought out Nam tags on breast pockets before leaning Forward Quot its been so Long Quot they would say with a kiss less kiss to the Cheek. Others like Chingle Pinkston spent their time enjoying the Glamour of the evening Quot i like the atmosphere. Its elegant a she said As she sat near the cocktail lounge s opened Patio doors where a Breeze stopped Short of entering the room. The wife of a sergeant major she wore a Blue Satin gown with Black lace. She said that she enjoyed dressing up. Quot you Don t do this every Day. It reminds to of the her formal dress Cost $275, a Little pricier than most Chris Weber who will soon be promoted to lieutenant colonel said the Black feathered creation she wore Cost a More moderate $150, Audrey Manson of Pir Masens said her gown in the signal s Shade of Orange also Cost about $150. However she did no to buy it because of the color she said. Quot i refuse to pay any More because women Don t get dressed up the Way they used to Quot said Adriana Dekater of Frankfurt who believes like Many other women who attended the Ball that military elegance demands a bit of Economy. Quot i attend three or four balls a year. I own nine to a dozen dresses. So i alternate it depends on the season. And i never Wear a dress again until the old commander s gone Quot Dekater said. Military formal fashions Are changing for the ladies they Are Cut a Little higher. They Are Cut a Little lower and As Dekater said Quot a Little More also the wife of the senior officer no longer sets the length of the dress. Most female officers that evening wore dress Blue uniforms with the Shorter skirts the appropriate Prince charming attire for the men was dress blues mess Whites and mess blues for their civilian counterparts tuxedos. Elegance for 800 also does not include a receiving continued on Page 14 monday july 23, 1990 the stars and stripes a a a Page 13 a
