The National World War II Museum’s Freeport-McMoRan “Victory Ball” was a celebration of things past and to come. The ball’s theme was “The Fruits of Victory, the Joys of Liberty,” which accurately encompassed the museum’s new campaign to add the Liberation and Victory Pavilion, a new museum space that will honor prisoners of war and Holocaust survivors and recount the end of the war.
Five hundred guests attended the ball on May 22, feasting on the cuisine
concocted by chef Glenn Vatshell of Palate New Orleans. The sounds of the John Eubanks Quintet filled the museum’s Louisiana Memorial Pavilion throughout the evening. Thea Pagel provided the apropos decorations: red roses and apples to coincide with the “Fruits of Victory” theme and Mike Smith of Crescent Sound & Light lit up the space with celestial beauty. A special highlight of the event was guest speaker and honorary co-chair Henry Kissinger, a World War II veteran and major
figure in U.S. post-war policy. Dine and Alan Franco co-chaired the event with Richard Adkerson.
Along with Kissinger, there were many other noteworthy attendees: the museum’s board chair and former California Gov. Pete Wilson and his wife Gail, Jim Bob Moffett, three generations of the Berger family (including grandfather Irvin Aden who is a World War II veteran and museum volunteer), Boysie and Joy Bollinger, and Louis and Judy Freeman.
Henry Kissinger is presented the National World War II Museum’s Silver Service Medallion by Gov. Pete Wilson and Gordon H. “Nick” Mueller.
Frank and Marie Glaviano (far right) host the Shell Energy table at the event.
James “Jim Bob” Moffett and Richard Adkerson perform an impromptu version of “Happy Birthday” for Henry Kissinger.
Louis Freeman with WWII veteran Ervin Aden and Iona Mae Aden
Darlene and Cappy Bisso with Phyllis Taylor
A C-47 aircraft looms over the crowd in museum’s the Louisiana Memorial Pavilion.
Ann Wink and T.G. Solomon
