Photo By Spc. James Wilton | U.S. Army Sgt. Maj. Army Kenneth O. Preston is joined on stage by Command Sgt. Maj....... read more read more
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PARWAN PROVINCE, Afghanistan – U.S. Army Sgt. Maj. Kenneth O. Preston rocked the house at Bagram Airfield with help of the U.S. Army Band “Downrange” and other performers during a USO holiday tour Dec. 21.
Musical performances, a comedy act and dancing ensued as service members and civilians gathered at the clamshell for the Sgt. Maj. of the Army Hope & Freedom Tour 2010.
“The office of the Sgt. Maj. of the Army has had the honor and privilege to sponsor this holiday show for nine years,” said Preston. “This is the entertainers’ way to say thanks for your service and your sacrifice and for what you’re doing for not only our country but what you’re doing for the Afghan people.”
Musical performances included Kenny Thomas, a former Army Ranger, who was joined by Kevin Lawson, James Jones and Emily West. He, along with Alana Grace, brought the house down with rock performances. Buddy Jewel added a little country flair to the mix.
Leeane Tweeden served as mistress of ceremonies and Chonda Pierce did a comedy act. Two Dallas Cowboy cheerleaders, Nicole Hamilton and Brandy Redman, entertained the service members with a dance routine and joined the musical acts on stage as backup dancers.
This is the second USO-sponsored holiday show to make its way through Afghanistan this month. The performers not only thanked the service members but they shared their own stories of personal experiences or family ties to the military.
“Last year at this time I was standing here on stage and my husband, fiancé at the time, was standing back there in that corner,” said Tweeden, who is married to an Air National Guardsman and has been a part of 14 USO shows. “When you go back home tonight and e-mail your families or call them, please thank them for us because, after all, they’re what you’re fighting for.”
The service members in attendance were very thankful for the chance to forget about work for awhile and just enjoy the show.
“On behalf of the 32,850 freedom fighters in RC-East, I would like to say thank you,” said Command Sgt. Maj. Scott Schroeder, Combined Joint Task Force-101 and Regional Command-East command sergeant major. “I know whether it was 30,000 service members or five that you would still be putting the same amount of energy into the show and we appreciate it and I think that this show was more than adequate.”
At the conclusion of the show, service members had a chance to meet the entertainers and receive autographs or personal photos.
| Date Taken: | 12.21.2010 |
| Date Posted: | 12.22.2010 04:44 |
| Story ID: | 62450 |
| Location: | PARWAN PROVINCE, AF |
| Web Views: | 163 |
| Downloads: | 4 |
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