Local CBS3 news anchors Larry Mendte and Alycia Lane were the evenings masters of ceremony.

A thousand guests partied with the events main honoree, award-winning actor, Gary Sinise.

The Speakers Ball benefits the Pennsylvania House Scholarship Program.

Honorees Recognized

The Balls theme celebrated the 300th Birthday of patriot and Philadelphias favorite founding father, Ben Franklin.

It also marked the inaugural presentation of the Speakers Ben Franklin Award, which went to actor, humanitarian, military and veterans advocate, Gary Sinise.

Other honorees included Charles G. Kopp; Bennett and Vivian Levin and the crew of the Omaha Trophy winner, USS Pennsylvania.

2005 Pennsylvania House Scholarship recipients Dana Bruck and Lisa Hershey were also in attendance.

In addition to raising funds for the House Scholarship Program, the Ball offered an opportunity to help others.

A donation of $5,000 was given by the Ball Committee to the USS Pennsylvanias Foundation for its Morale, Recreation and Welfare Fund.

The USO received a $25,000 check, thanks to the generosity of honoree Gary Sinise.

Colonial Party

The Pennsylvania Convention Center train shed was transformed in to a colonial village as colonial crafters and actors lined the wonderfully authentic set that was designed to transport guests back to the 18th Century.

Woodworkers, artists, performers and even the Franklin Institutes electricity ball, were all on hand to encourage a colonial mood.

Roasted pigs, turkey, wine and ale were served from storefront taverns. Upstairs, a fun martini bar offered a colonial touch as apple tinis were poured through a huge apple ice sculpture.

Walk-away sundaes, with ice cream made from original colonial recipes, added to the authentic feel.

The evening started with a private reception for sponsors and honorees. Guest of honor, Gary Sinise mingled and posed for photos.

The Ball opened with a patriotic medley by the 276th Pennsylvania Army National Guard Band, Presentation of Colors by the US Marine Corps Color Guard and a fanfare by The Valley Forge Military Academy Heraldic Trumpeteers.

Members of The University of Pennsylvania Navy ROTC also assisted with the festivities.

Ball Chairman Sheryl Perzel, opened the ball with a welcome and presented the Friend of the Ball award to Charles G. Kopp for his fundraising support of the Balls mission.

Major General Kenneth L. Farmer, Jr., head of North Atlantic Medical Command and Commanding General at Walter Reed Army Hospital, and Geoffrey G. Proesch (Col.-Ret.), Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Army, took part in the presentations of the Pennsylvania Pride honor to Bennett and Vivian Levin.

The Levins were honored for organizing the Liberty Limited train. The train transported wounded soldiers, sailors and marines, and their care-givers, from Walter Reed Army and Bethesda Medical Centers to the 2005 Army-Navy game in Philadelphia.

The USS Pennsylvania, the submarine awarded the coveted Omaha Trophy, was recognized as The Best of the Best. Speaker Perzel presented the crew with a check for $5,000 for its Morale, Welfare and Recreation fund.

In his presentation to Sinise, Speaker Perzel cited the importance of morale in the military. It is morale that wins the victory, said Perzel, quoting the immortal words of General George C. Marshall.

When the Speaker mentioned The Lt. Dan Band, the Sinise-founded group that tours with the USO, the crowd cheered in recognition.

The evenings patriotic theme continued as Sinises remarks paid tribute to the military, past and present.

Sinise attributes his dedication to Americas wounded veterans to his friends and familys Vietnam experiences. It intensified with his portrayal of Academy Award nominated role of amputee Lt. Dan in Forrest Gump and peaked on September 11th.

Sinise asked guests to spread the word of the remarkable efforts being made by the US military in Iraq, efforts that he has seen first-hand.

After his remarks, Sinise presented his cash award to representatives of the local USO, Vice-President Jim King and Executive Director DJ Stanhope.

The program ended with a lively rendition of Happy Birthday sung to Ben Franklin and Gary Sinise by Elizabethtown Colleges acapella group, Phalanx. Sinise celebrated his birthday on March 17th and 2006 is the tercentenary of Ben Franklins birth.

Sinise was joined at the Ball by Moira, his wife of 25 years; his parents Millie and Robert Sinise; and Army veterans Amy and Jack Treese, his sister-and brother-in-law.

The guests danced until midnight to the music of local favorites The Party Dolls and The Sensational Soul Cruisers.