SECDEF to speak at NORAD anniversary ball Published April 15, 2008 PETERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Colo. -- U.S. Secretary of Defense Robert Gates is scheduled to speak at the North American Aerospace Defense Command 'Golden Jubilee' Ball May 12 at the Broadmoor Hotel in Colorado Springs, Colo. The ball will feature a formal evening of dinner, entertainment, dancing and retrospectives as the command celebrates a 50-year partnership between Canada and the U.S. in defending North America. NORAD's golden anniversary celebration is an occasion to reflect on the history of the command, honor the strong bi-national relationship between Canada and the U.S., pay tribute to the valor of the men and women who serve and to recognize the command's evolution in response to new and changing threats to North America. The ball is open to the general public in addition to active-duty military members and Department of Defense civilians. The evening will start with a reception at 6 p.m., with dinner following at 7 p.m. in Broadmoor Hall. To order individual tickets or for information on prices, send an e-mail to NORADJubileeBall@isiscompany.net or call (719) 635-7558. For more details about NORAD's 50th anniversary, click here.