Guests attending this year’s 233rd Navy Birthday Ball at Naval Air Station Whidbey Island are in for a real treat.

After winning a singing competition held by the Navy Ball planning committee, Personnel Specialist 2nd Class Robert L. Evans will have the honors of singing the National Anthem.

More than 400 military and civilian guests are expected to attend, but Evans is used to singing before crowds.

“I almost didn’t do it,” he said about the competition in the base theater Sept. 5. “But my master chief encouraged me.”

Evans was one of 12 contestants vying for the privilege to sing at Whidbey’s Navy Ball.

Evans, who hails from Newton, Miss., works at Fleet Readiness Center NW in Administration. He says singing comes naturally for him, having pursued music classes at East Central Community College and Meridian Community College, Miss.

Upon joining the Navy in 1999 and with college chorus experience under his belt, he auditioned in 2000 for the prestigious U.S. Navy’s “Sea Chanters” in Washington, D.C. The chorus is well-known for its performances at the White House and singing before VIP’s and heads of state.

He was one of five singled out, but he didn’t make the final cut. “To get that far was a real honor,” he said.

For Evans, like many of his military peers fighting the war on terror, the National Anthem takes on a special meaning: pride in service and country.

Guests will also hear guest speaker Rear Adm. William F. Moran, Commander, Patrol and Reconnaissance Group. The event is set for Oct. 11 at the Officers’ Club. All active duty, retirees, DoD civilians and Navy League members are invited.

Cost per person is: E-3 and below, $10; E-4, $15; E-5 to E-6, $25; E-7 to E-9, $40; officers and civilians, $45.

No host cocktails and hor d’oeuvres start at 6 p.m., followed by dinner at 7 p.m. featuring roasted prime rib or chicken marsala.

Dancing to Idol Eyes starts at 8:30 p.m. Get your tickets today at the CPO Club, Officers’ Club, Nor’Wester ITT counter or by contacting your command master chief. For information, call (360) 257-2521.