friday, december 22, 2023

Doors open at 6pm
Parking One Campus Martius garage (1140 Farmer St.) or meter parking located around the building.
6:00 Arrival/Photos/Cocktail Hour/Silent Auction
7:00 Dinner Begins
11:00 Evening Concludes

Thank you for attending!

We’re thrilled to share the exciting highlights from this year’s All Academy Ball. What an incredible night it was! With a record-breaking attendance of 325, including 50 cadets and midshipmen, we surpassed the average of previous years, making this event one for the books.

 

Inspiring Program

We had the honor of hosting CW5 Alan Mack, as Keynote Speaker, the Army’s most decorated pilot and a humble hero. Known for flying in the mission to capture Osama bin Laden and completing over 4000 night combat missions, Mack’s inspiring words resonated with the audience.  Al’s engaging and best-selling book is available for sale through WPPCMI.  The book is a great read and is especially relevant for anyone interested in the Aviation branch. Please reach out via email for details on how to order. 

 

A True Professional and Patriot

Rich Luterman’s dual role as a weatherman and an Air Force Veteran exemplifies his commitment to serving the community and the nation. We are honored to have had such a distinguished individual as our Master of Ceremonies, and we express our sincere gratitude for his exceptional service. 

 

West Point Showed Up!

As the hosts of the return of the All Academy Ball after four long years on hiatus, West Point Parents Club of Michigan were proud to have a solid showing of West Point families.  2023 AAB Honorees, Kate and Tom Lynch (1982, 2018) represented USMA, the Field Force, WPSMI, and the Parent Club well, creating an electric atmosphere when Tom led the West Pointers in the Rocket! The Lynch’s lifetime of dedicated service to West Point was a true highlight of the evening.

 

Auction Success: Army-Navy Game Tickets and more!

One of the night’s thrilling moments was the live auction, featuring four 50-yard line tickets to the Army-Navy game in 2024. The winning bid reached an impressive $5000, creating an unforgettable experience for the lucky attendees.  Dozens of others took home some very special items in the silent auction.

 

Dance Floor Magic!

The celebration continued with people dancing the night away until the lights came up. It was a joyous and lively atmosphere, creating lasting memories for everyone present.

 

Media Recognition

Our event gained well-deserved recognition from both the Detroit Free Press and Fox 2 Detroit, who ran a segment showcasing the All Academy Ball. We’re grateful for the media coverage that helped spread the word about this remarkable gathering. 

 

2023 All Academy Ball: The Future of Freedom

Browse through the stunning photos of our unforgettable evening by Abby B Photography. Whether it’s digital copies or prints, relive the magic and preserve the moments forever. Don’t miss out on the chance to own a piece of this memorable event!

Coupon Code AAB23 is valid until February 29 for 50% off prints.

 

A Celebration of Giving

As we reflect on the success of the All Academy Ball, we celebrate not only the joyous moments but also the spirit of giving that unites us. Corporate Donors were critical to the success of this event, as well as attendees and auction participants who not only made this event spectacular but also contributed to a brighter future for those who will lead with honor and dedication.

 

Behind-the-Scenes Heroes

Behind every unforgettable moment and seamless execution, there’s a team of passionate individuals who worked tirelessly to bring the All Academy Ball to life. Special Shout out to the Organizing Committee comprised of Julie Smith (2026), Carey Potter (2027), Patty Williams (2027), and Renee Hooker (2027).  Rebecca Ufford (2022), Chair, referred to this group as the Dream Team for their outstanding work.  These organizing committee members are the unsung heroes, and your dedication did not go unnoticed.  West Point Parents Club of Michigan is on tap to host the Ball again in 2026, so all you party planners out there, feel free to let us know who you are!

 

A Night of Honor and Support

Above all, the All Academy Ball aimed to honor cadets, midshipmen, and graduates of America’s esteemed military service academies. In the face of military and academy recruiting challenges, this event stands as a beacon, distinguishing America’s service academies from other university experiences. It’s a crucial opportunity to support and encourage the young individuals and their families embarking on a journey of service to our nation.

 

Next year, the event will be hosted by the USNA Parents Club of Michigan.  Let’s give them our full support.

 

Thank you to everyone who contributed to making the 2023 All Academy Ball a resounding success! Let’s continue to celebrate and support our nation’s future leaders. 

The West Point Parents Club of Michigan invites you to the annual All Service Academy Ball honoring the Cadets and Midshipman of Michigan currently attending: The United States Military Academy at West Point, The United States Naval Academy, The United States Air Force Academy, The United States Coast Guard Academy and The United States Merchant Marine Academy.


Honoring the cadets and midshipman

Each of America’s Service Academies provides a rigorous and comprehensive education to its students, offering undergraduate degrees while training them to become professional officers of competence, character, and compassion of the U.S. military.  Analogous to traditional universities, after accepting their Congressional appointments, cadets or midshipmen at these academies also receive extensive physical and leadership training and extracurricular activities and sports opportunities.  After graduating, each student moves directly into a career as an officer in one of the six branches of the U.S. Military.

Become a Sponsor

There are a number of sponsorship levels available. Please consider supporting this exciting event.

One Campus Martius 16

Offering breathtaking views of the Detroit skyline and boasting a modern, stylish vibe this venue is sure to provide a gorgeous setting for a very special evening.

Master of Ceremonies

We're excited to announce Rich Luterman as Master of Ceremonies for the Michigan All Academy Ball! Rich is Chief Meteorologist at FOX 2 in Detroit. Originally from Pittsburgh, Rich graduated in 1988 from Penn State University with a Bachelor of Science degree in meteorology. He was commissioned a second lieutenant through the U.S. Air Force ROTC and served four-and-a-half years on active duty as a weather officer. For six months in 1991, he was a weather detachment commander in Southwest Asia during Operation Desert Storm.

Keynote Speaker

We are looking forward to having Alan C. Mack speak at the event this year! Alan wouldn’t quit on his unit – he couldn’t quit on his family. His story of success, tragedy, and ultimate happiness is as old as warfare itself. Autographed books of Al’s book, Razor 03 will be available at the event.

Celebrate

We look forward to recognizing and celebrating cadets, midshipmen, and commissioned officers from the Classes of 2021-2023 of all five of America’s military academies preparing as our next generation of national leaders. Families of these young leaders also sacrifice in their service and deserve recognition.

LIVE AUCTION ITEMS

Army-Navy 2024 Game

Four (4) lower-level 50-yard line tickets to the Army-Navy game at FedEx Field in Washington DC on Saturday, December 14, 2024. Donated by: Army West Point Sports Properties.

Army-Air Force 2024 Game

Four (4) lower-level 50 yard tickets to the Army-Air Force game Saturday, at Michie Stadium in West Point, NY  on November 2, 2024. Donated by: Army West Point Sports Properties.

SILENT AUCTION ITEMS

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LATEST NEWS

  • September 27, 2023

Ghafari Associates, LLC Supports Our Troops

Ghafari Associates, LLC is pleased to provide support for the 46th Michigan All Academy Ball—The Future of Freedom—because we believe we share the values of these young people and the branches of the U.S. military they represent.  Fulfilling obligations and treating people with respect is part of the soldier’s creed as well as a core value at Ghafari.  We give financial support because these…

  • September 27, 2023

NAMC Partnership

The strategic partnership between the National Advanced Mobility Consortium (NAMC) and the West Point Parents Club of Michigan for the All Academy Ball is of immense value, given the strong alignment between the missions of both organizations.  At NAMC, our mission is ultimately to support the US military’s future warfighter with the most advanced and capable military technologies.  The technologies…

The United States has Five Service Academies:

• The United States Military Academy (West Point)—Army

• The United States Naval Academy (Annapolis)—Navy and Marine Corps

• The United States Air Force Academy—Air Force and Space Force

• The United States Coast Guard Academy—Coast Guard

• The United States Merchant Marine Academy—Merchant Marines

  • Location

    One Campus Martius16 Detroit, MI 48266 USA

  • Email

    wppcmi.aab@gmail.com