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The USO Hope and Freedom Tour
(December 24, 2010) |
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| JOINT BASE BALAD, Iraq (12/20/2010) - The Army chief of
staff's personal advisor, a supermodel, NFL cheerleaders, a
comedian, and a few musical performers. It seems an unlikely
combination, but for the United Services Organization and
Sgt. Maj. of the Army Kenneth Preston, the personal advisor
to the Army chief of staff on all enlisted-related matters,
it was the perfect crew to go on a morale-boosting holiday
tour in Iraq and Afghanistan, which included a stop at the
Sustainer Theater Dec. 19 at Joint Base Balad, Iraq. |
Comedian Chonda Pierce and Supermodel Leeann Tweeden entertain the crowd of service members during the Hope and Freedom Tour at Sustainer Theater, Dec. 19,
2010 at Joint Base Balad, Iraq. |
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The Army chief of staff's personal advisor, a
supermodel, NFL cheerleaders, a comedian, and a few musical
performers. It seems an unlikely combination, but for the
United Services Organization and Sgt. Maj. of the Army
Kenneth Preston, the personal advisor to the Army chief of
staff on all enlisted-related matters, it was the perfect
crew to go on a morale-boosting holiday tour in Iraq and
Afghanistan, which included a stop at the Sustainer Theater
Dec. 19 at Joint Base Balad, Iraq.
Preston arrived with the Dallas Cowboy cheerleaders, the
Army Band “Pershing's Own,” supermodel Leeann Tweeden,
comedian Chonda Pierce and several other entertainers to
meet with service members at JBB during the day. When
darkness fell in the evening, the entertainers lit up the
stage at the theater during a lengthy procession of
performances that left service members laughing, dancing and
chatting in |
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high spirits. |
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First to take the stage was Preston himself, who has helped
organize the Hope and Freedom Tour each holiday season for
the past several years in a continuous effort to improve
deployed troops' morale and welfare. He reiterated the fact
that all of the entertainers volunteered to partake in the
tour, and that it was their way of thanking service members.
“When you look at the entertainment industry, and whether
you are an actor, a musician, a model, a cheerleader, or a
comedian, the holiday season is usually a time when you're
spending time with your family,” said Preston in his opening
remarks. “...But these entertainers in here have come over
here to say thanks. This is their opportunity to give back.”
Following Preston's introduction, the Army Band started the
show strong with the Army's signature tune, “Army Strong”,
and then transitioned to a wide range of genres, including
classic rock, modern rock and pop. Songs included Bon Jovi's
“Livin' on a Prayer,” Katy Perry's “California Gurls,” and
Jason DeRulo's “In My Head.” Amidst complex guitar riffs, a
trumpet-trombone-saxophone trio and intense drum beats, the
singers frequently interacted with audience members up and
down the aisles for the duration of their performance.
“I will tell you, the world-famous United States Army Band
is second to none,” said Preston prior to the band's set. He
added that the band members are “world-class” musicians,
especially because they provided backup for every other
musical performer at the concert, with little practice
beforehand.
Leeann Tweeden was the master of ceremonies who introduced
each performer throughout the concert. She has been on
several USO tours prior to this one.
“She has a big heart,” said Preston of Tweeden. “She's been
over here many, many times. In fact, she's been over here in
this theater [approximately] 14 times, and she continues to
volunteer to come back with me year after year.”
Tweeden introduced herself and described her father's
military service in Vietnam, her husband's service in the
Air Force, and how she made USO handshake tours a part of
her career. She also emphasized the importance of service
members' families during the difficult times of deployment.
“Thank your family members for us—for me, personally,” she
said. “Thank you very much for what you do, and your
families who sacrifice everything. We [entertainers] love
you so much and we will tell your story...So, again, from the
bottom of my heart, and from everyone here who will tell you
their story tonight, thank you for your service. You make me
proud to be an American, and we're so privileged to be here
with you tonight.” |
Country musician Keni Thomas performs for a crowd of service members during the Hope and Freedom Tour at Sustainer Theater, Dec. 19, 2010 at Joint Base Balad,
Iraq. |
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As Tweeden suggested, each entertainer told his or her
own story about why they wanted to take part in the holiday
tour for deployed service members. For country musician Keni
Thomas, who performed with his band Cornbread, it was partly
because of his own military service in Somalia. He said he
felt that every service member has a story that needs to be
told, and that the rest of the world is interested in these
stories. A couple of the band's songs reflected Thomas's
military experiences.
“[Military service is] a family business,” said Thomas.
“We're a very small community, and there are stories that
need to be told...You gotta get out there and you gotta talk
about the people on your left and the people on your right,
because the rest of the world [appreciates] you, but they
don't understand it. But they do want to hear about it.”
Following Cornbread's performance, Pierce evoked uproarious
laughter with her dry, sarcastic sense of humor and jokes
directed toward specific audience members. She had
participated in USO tours before, and said that visiting
service members overseas was always on her list of things to
do.
Up next were singer/songwriter Alana Grace and her guitarist
Jon Ketchum, two young musicians who performed in last
year's Hope and Freedom Tour, and enjoyed it so much that
they were eager to do it again. Their stop at JBB marked
Grace's 23rd birthday, and she said she was more than happy
to spend it overseas with troops.
“Every time I'm here with you, my respect level goes up
tenfold,” said Grace. “What you do here is really amazing,
so thank you.” |
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Finally, country musician Buddy Jewell and his fellow
guitarist Joe Cook performed their closing set of song, two
of which were specifically related to service members and
Veterans. Jewell, who was the first winner of the Nashville
Star competition, echoed the sentiments off all the other
performers, conveying his gratitude for the troops overseas.
“We're here to bring you a little piece of home and to tell
you guys and gals we appreciate you being out here for us,
and what a blessing you are for us and our families back
home,” he said.
At the end of the show, every performer, including Dallas
Cowboy cheerleaders Nicole Hamilton and Brandy Redmond, came
out on stage and joined the audience in singing “Stand By
Me.” The finale left the audience with a palpable sense of
hope and reassurance that every performer truly did care
about deployed troops during this holiday season.
Several service members expressed their gratitude for the
performers coming to entertain in Iraq, far away from their
families during the holidays.
“You respect them [the entertainers] as much as they respect
you,” said Spc. Charles Dickman, a protocol specialist with
the 3rd Battalion, 116th Cavalry Regiment, 3rd Sustainment
Brigade, 103rd Sustainment Command (Expeditionary), and a
Pocatello, Idaho, native. “It's a very commendable thing
that a lot of performers don't do, and it makes you feel
good.”
Pfc. Shane Thome, a paralegal specialist with the 3rd Sust.
Bde., 103rd ESC, and a Mount Joy, Pa., native, had only been
in country for a couple hours before going to the show.
“When you first get here [to Iraq], you feel a little bit
homesick,” he said as he stood in line for an autograph from
the entertainers. “But the concert was awesome, and it's
helping me adjust.”
A line of service members snaking longer than the length of
the theater's aisles awaited autographs and handshakes from
the performers. Although that marked the end of this stop on
the Hope and Freedom Tour, the performers quickly packed all
their gear up to fly out of JBB for a future performance in
Afghanistan, to spread their star-studded holiday cheer to
another crowd of troops. |
Article and photos by Army Pfc. Emily Walter
103rd Expeditionary Sustainment Command
Copyright 2010 | |
Provided
through DVIDS
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