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History of the
North Texas
Military Foundation
Established in 1965 as the Dallas Military Ball by representatives of the Air Force Association, Association of the U.S. Army, Navy League, Marine Corps Association and other Reserve and National Guard organizations, the foundation's military ball has become a unified military voice for the greater Dallas/Fort Worth Metroplex area. The first ball was held on February 13, 1965, at the Statler Hilton Hotel in downtown Dallas with over 500 attendees.
Dedicated to honoring both Active and Reserve forces, as well as the more than 100,000 veterans in North Texas, the North Texas Military Ball offers a unique opportunity to salute those who are serving, thank those who have served and pay tribute to those who made the ultimate sacrifice.
In the Fall of 1964, Dr. Walter Hesse who was employed by Chance Vought as an aeronautical engineer working in the R & D area, conceived the idea of having a Dallas Military Ball. A graduate of the U. S. Naval Academy in 1944, Dr. Hesse gathered representatives from the Reserve Officers Association, the Association of the U S Army and the Navy League, all acting as co-chairmen, to organize the first Ball.
Underwritten by the generous citizens and business organizations of the Dallas/Fort Worth Metroplex, the military ball is a formal affair. Complete with military pageantry, a strong military presence and entertainment, these balls have afforded North Texans the opportunity to meet and celebrate with members of DFW's Armed Forces community and to celebrate the rich military heritage the exists in North Texas.
Attended by a broad cross-section of both officer and enlisted service members representing all branches of our Armed Forces, all proceeds from the ball are distributed to the Military Aid Societies and other North Texas veteran-centric nonprofit organizations. Since the first ball, several million dollars have been distributed to these organizations.
Current & Past
Ball Chairpersons
and
Foundation Presidents
A Legacy of Honor and Support
