Amid the grandeur of the Commander-in-Chief Ball on Monday night, one Marine’s story shone as brightly as the chandeliers overhead. Staff Sgt. Lexus Martinez, a 27-year-old New York native, found herself in the spotlight, dancing with Vice President JD Vance in a moment she described as “surreal.”
Martinez, a food service specialist with the Marine Corps Enlisted Aide Program in Washington, D.C., could hardly believe her luck when she was chosen for this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. “It was like a lucky moment kind of thing,” she told reporters, reflecting on the honor of representing her branch at the event.
Each branch of the armed forces selected a member to participate in the traditional dance with President Trump, First Lady Melania Trump, Vice President Vance, and Second Lady Usha Vance. For Martinez, a proud Marine with nine years of service, the experience was a dream come true.
Before stepping onto the dance floor, Martinez and her fellow service members rehearsed for the historic event. The real nerves hit when she waited backstage, moments before meeting the vice president. “President Trump and Vice President JD Vance walked by to shake our hands, thank us for our service, and get to know who they were dancing with,” Martinez recalled.
It was then that Vance, known for his down-to-earth demeanor and Marine Corps roots, lightened the mood with a quick joke. “‘Well, I hope you don’t step on my feet,’” he quipped. Martinez responded with a laugh, “‘Well, I hope you teach me how to dance up there.’” That shared moment of Marine humor put her at ease.
“He still has that Marine Corps humor,” Martinez said. “It made me feel more relaxed.”
Vance, the first vice president to have served in the Marine Corps, brought a special connection to the dance. A former combat correspondent who served in Iraq, Vance understood the bond that ties all Marines together.
As they danced, the two talked about Martinez’s military career and her postings. “It felt cool to just be myself,” Martinez said. “In the Marines, we’re all family no matter what. You’re a Marine 24/7. I was talking to someone in the brotherhood like we were family already. It just all felt so natural.”
Martinez’s family back in New York was bursting with pride as they watched her on stage. Her mom, sister, and two brothers cheered her on, while friends and extended family flooded her phone with messages. “My phone was blowing up the second I got off the stage,” she shared. “Family members across the globe reached out to tell me how proud they were. It really kind of brought my family together a lot.”
The evening concluded with Martinez and the other service members rolling out the ceremonial cake for President Trump and Vice President Vance, a fitting end to an unforgettable night.
For Martinez, the experience was more than a dance; it was a testament to the enduring spirit of the Marine Corps and the camaraderie that binds its members. “Him acknowledging me as a Marine, joking with me—it felt so special,” she said. “In the end, it’s all about family, and in the Marines, we’re all family.”
As Vice President Vance continues his tenure, moments like this remind Americans of the shared values and connections that unite us, even in the most formal settings. For Staff Sgt. Martinez, it was a night she—and her proud family—will cherish forever.
