One of my best-loved holiday events I attend yearly is the St. Barbara’s Day Ball, a military formal affectionately referred to as “Redleg”.
Members of the Field Artillery are traditionally called “redlegs” with distinguishable scarlet-red stripes running down the pant legs of dress uniforms, a practice dating back to the Mexican American War and continued through the Civil War and post-WWI.
Saint Barbara is one of the Fourteen Holy Helpers of the catholic church and is the patron saint of artillery. The church recognizes her each year on December 4th—St. Barbara’s Day. And, while warfare may be considered less than holy, there is much to be said for valor, exceptional service and camaraderie celebrated each year by artilleryman on the hallowed day.
The St. Barbara’s Day Ball is awash in yuletide color, as it is customary for women to wear red gowns, men wear red socks and greenery decks the halls. Redleg is also a popular event for engagement displays, and it was at this event five years ago that my husband popped the question.
Picture of the photo from our engagement night 
With my redleg’s overseas absence, I regretfully decided not to attend the holiday gathering this year. I will miss the formalities of the event including the solemn recital of the items on the missing comrade’s table, the induction of new members into the Order of Saint Barbara, and of course, the ceremonial mixing of the infamous grog punch, where an alcoholic brew of a questionable nature is prepared.
We all know the party truly begins when the alcohol kicks in, and grog is an excellent conductor for a good time and comradeship. So sorry to have missed such a jolly event, but thought it needed a mention here in the ‘Dish. Here’s a big hurray for the caissons…cheers!
Love,
L.N.
The write dish 