Marine Ball 2004 -- Without Aaron

Aaron's family gets ready for the 229th Marine Ball in November 2004. This was the first ball after Aaron was killed April 26, 2004, in Fallujah. I was invited to attend, and I took several family members with me. Left: Donna, a close family friend (Aaron called her his second mom); Kayla and Zach, both Aaron's cousins; and Jes, Zach's wife, and, of course, Aaron's cousin, too. In the back are Lisa, Aaron's aunt; Tanya, his cousin; and Allie, also his cousin. Aaron took Allie to the 2003 Marine Ball. Aaron's protectiveness of his family didn't quite create a fun night for Allie!