Justin Timberlake fought back the tears at a Marine Corps Ball he attended, calling the event 'one of the most moving evenings' he has ever experienced.
The Sexy Back singer attended the Instructor Battalion party in Richmond, Virginia, on Saturday night with Corporal Kelsey de Santis, who invited him to be her date in a video she posted on YouTube in July. One guest said the star, who was dressed in a sharp black tuxedo, 'posed for pictures and seemed like a normal guy'.
Moving: Justin Timberlake has revealed he fought back tears as he attended the Marine Corps ball with Kelsey De Santis in Richmond, Virginia, over the weekendHe took to his blog yesterday to talk about his moving evening.
'I will never forget it': The star said the night 'changed my life'
The post on the 30-year-old's website starts: 'I'm writing this out to all of you after attending an event that turned out to be one of the most moving evenings I've ever had.
'I knew I would have an evening that I wouldn't forget... Something I could tell my friends about. What I didn't know was how moved I would be by the whole experience.
'I've always been very vocal about my support of our Armed Forces. To say I was stoked to be there would be more than accurate.'
Justin Timberlake later wrote in his blog "My Night at the Marine Corps Ball"
They started the ceremony. And, the next thing I knew I was watching a video about Pearl Harbor/WW2 and the September 11 terrorist attacks... It was a video with some first-hand accounts from some Marines who were there... Telling their stories of the sights and sounds of war and rescue. So vivid and real. So honest but, so filled with a sense of compassion and adoration for this wonderful country. They spoke with a pride that only they could have acquired through their experience as a US Marine. There was a common theme that I began to notice as well... No matter what the situation. No matter how dire...
They were there FIRST.
There on the front lines.
No questions... Just reaction.
While this tribute was playing, you could hear a pin drop. It was a surreal moment to be in that room with so many of our great Marines who have such a different type of connection to those stories. One that we who don't serve will NEVER understand. It was familial. It was like they were listening to their own blood brothers. I glanced around the room at young men and women, spouses and soldiers... At kids way beyond their years, really... All so deeply entwined. Not just by battle, even though we who have never endured anything remotely close to those experiences and have NO position to comment on... But, by having such life changing experiences through them and to not ever waver in their love and respect for our homeland. That's what I saw. A faith in us that has been tested time and time again. And, through it all, NEVER a drop of doubt.
I was truly moved.
The evening went on and we ate and took photos and drank and made jokes.
There were some speeches that prompted many "huahs" and applause. There was laughs. We even danced a little.
I felt so proud to be there. I felt like I was getting a chance to be among my heroes. It's funny too because a lot of them are SO younger than me.
The evening wound down for me as, I had to catch a plane. But, I have to say that I had so much fun with Kelsey and her crew of friends. They were just really nice people... Classy Marines but, not without a great sense of humor. Real individuals but, not without a sense of community.
I said my goodbyes to them but, not before I got a chance to tell them how much the evening had meant to me. They made me feel so welcome to be there and I'll never forget it.
We all have our own individual views on war... But, doesn't that speak to just another thing that makes this country so special?? The fact that we can all wake up every morning and BE individual with a pure sense of freedom..? But, one thing that can't be argued is that it's because of the people who VOLUNTEER their lives to make sure that it's protected at all times. And, like I said before, doing so while asking for nothing in return...
To all of you that serve every day for us... Ensuring our freedom, I say: My deepest gratitude to you. I've met so many of my heroes... From Michael Jordan to Michael Jackson. And, nothing makes me feel more honor and pride than when I get to meet one of you. Last night changed my life and I will never forget it.
To people like me who get to benefit from this type of person... One with character and courage. With strength and bravery. With humility and honor... I say: Send your thanks. Do it however you can. Write a letter, type an email... Hell, buy 'em a beer next time you run into someone from our Armed Forces in a bar. When they say thank you for that drink that cost you 3 bucks, they'll mean it. They won't take it for granted and, they won't forget it.
Thank you Corporal Kelsey DeSantis. Thank you for inviting me. And, thank you for being my hero.
- Justin Timberlake
1 comment:
I knew that Mila was not going-thank you for the up-date that Justin did---
Carol-CS
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