By Jessica Morrow
Reporter

The Ohio State Highway Patrol Retirees Association is marking a major milestone this year with the Trooper to Trooper Ball, a special one-time event celebrating the organization’s 50th anniversary. The gathering will bring together former troopers, civilian employees, and their families for an evening of remembrance, fellowship, and gratitude.

The event will be held at the Aladdin Shrine Center in Grove City on November 8, with doors opening at 4 p.m. All retirees, widows, associate civilian members, associate sworn members, honorary members, active personnel, and guests are invited to join in the celebration.

Founded in early 1975 by a group of retired patrol members, the OSHPRA held its first organizational meeting that May. Since then, the association has grown to include more than 1,400 members and has remained dedicated to strengthening and maintaining bonds between retired and active members of the Patrol family. The group fosters these connections through quarterly meetings, annual reunions, social events throughout the year, and regular communication tools like a telephone notification system and their official website.

The Trooper to Trooper Ball will be held at the Aladdin Shrine, a venue chosen in part because many members are also Masons and Shriners. The evening will feature live music by harpist Mariam Webster Brown, a well-known Ohio performer whose elegant playing will accompany the dinner and festivities. Guests will also hear remarks from Colonel Charles Jones, current OSP Superintendent, as well as other special speakers who will provide updates and reflections on the Patrol’s legacy.

The evening isn’t designed to raise funds for profit. As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, the association ensures attendees pay only about half the actual cost of their meal and festivities. Additional gatherings throughout the year, such as the Florida reunion, the June cookout at the OSP Academy, and the Marion summer event, are all organized the same way, supported entirely by volunteers.

The association expects around 120 to 150 retirees and spouses to attend the celebration, which also includes a short business meeting prior to the evening’s festivities.

Adding to the celebration, attendees will receive specialty-made OSHPRA 50th Anniversary license plates as commemorative gifts.

For more on the history of the Ohio State Highway Patrol Retirees Association and to purchase tickets for the event visit www.OSHPRetiree.org