Justin Timerblake's Night at the Marine Corps Ball
Whatever your opinion of singer/actor Justin Timberlake, the letter he wrote about his night at the Marine Corps Ball this past weekend should endear the celebrity to you at least a little. Here's an excerpt:
To all my family, friends and fans -
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 had the honor and privilege last night of attending The Basic School Instructor Battalion 236th Marine Corps Birthday Ball at the Greater Richmond Convention Center with Corporal Kelsey DeSantis...
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.
Of his date, Corporal Kelsey DeSantis, Timberlake wrote:
She seemed to me to be so humble and honest... Very cool. She also simultaneously seemed like she was nervous about the whole evening and if I was going to enjoy myself. "Are you ok?" she asked 2 or 3 times. "I hope you are having fun. I know you will once my crew of friends get here to the table." I have to tell you, it's not every day that I meet a 23 year old girl and she's more worried about if I'm having fun or if I'm comfortable! It hit me all of a sudden that these were the type of people that look after us and our freedom... Humble, concerned for others before themselves... This was the type of person our Marine Corps was building. I was really blown away.
And describing how moved he was to be confronted with the work the Marines do and the sacrifices they routinely make:
What happened then took me by such surprise that I was almost brought to tears. In fact, our whole table was...
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.
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Jul '10
Re: Justin Timerblake's Night at the Marine Corps Ball
Sounds like a decent guy. Atrocious singer...but decent guy.
Apr '11
Re: Justin Timerblake's Night at the Marine Corps Ball
Not to disregard his reaction to the event in any way I wholeheartedly applaud not Timberlake but the Marines who perform deeds of such courage and valor that can't help but move any beating heart.
I do applaud his willingness to speak honestly and openly about a subject his peers as a whole would never take the time to examine.
Re: Justin Timerblake's Night at the Marine Corps Ball
sevenfold:
I do applaud his willingness to speak honestly and openly about a subject his peers as a whole would never take the time to examine. · Nov 15 at 3:02pm
Yup. Celebrities like Timberlake wield an enormous amount of influence with young Americans, which they can put to use for good or bad. I think it's very cool to see him take the time and make use of his fame to make his fan base aware of the good work the Marine Corps does.
Nov '10
Re: Justin Timerblake's Night at the Marine Corps Ball
I wish more young people could be exposed to such an event. My guess is that it might shift a lot of their perceptions.
Jun '10
Re: Justin Timerblake's Night at the Marine Corps Ball
Thanks, Diane.
Apr '11
Re: Justin Timerblake's Night at the Marine Corps Ball
I have much praise for my Marines, and respect.
I also have to give a bit of applause to Mr. Timberlake. It was classy for him to agree to this young Marine's invite, and even more so to point to the true heroes of this event.
Apr '11
Re: Justin Timerblake's Night at the Marine Corps Ball
This is lovely. Thank you.
Aug '10
Re: Justin Timerblake's Night at the Marine Corps Ball
Props to Justin for being a class act. Unfortunately in our celebrity-soaked culture people like him can wield a lot of influence for good or ill. I'm glad to see a celeb using their influence for good - I hope his peers will do likewise more often.
Jul '11
Re: Justin Timerblake's Night at the Marine Corps Ball
Seems like a genuine person and one who got a bit awed by the real sacrifices made for our great country to have freedom.
As far as humility goes, I've talked to thousands of servicemen(mostly at VA hospitals) and one machine gunner from the US 1st Marine Division who was at the Chosin Reservoir battle comes to mind since frozen chosen posted above. He described(at my request) un-piling corpses just for firing lanes at the seemingly never ending waves of Chinese and fighting through wounds, fatigue, and frostbite. I thanked the man as you are supposed to and his response was,"just doing my job son" Now that's real humility and it made me and my fancy new medical degree at the time feel very humble. Timberlake went there expecting to act respectful and be an honorable man. He left with the awe those who have not served feel when they really see who mans the walls of this shining city on the hill.
Oct '11
Re: Justin Timerblake's Night at the Marine Corps Ball
Hoo-raah.
Dec '10
Re: Justin Timerblake's Night at the Marine Corps Ball
I need to run to a dinner meeting, with hopefully my new boss, but I thought I would slip in this link, for those that want to watch the video that Timberlake watched.
Oct '10
Re: Justin Timerblake's Night at the Marine Corps Ball
Timberlake also hosts a pro-am golf tournament the proceeds of which benefit Shriners Hospitals for Children. A good guy, from the view from here.
Jul '10
Re: Justin Timerblake's Night at the Marine Corps Ball
And it appears He pulled this off without any "wardrobe malfunction."
May '11
Re: Justin Timerblake's Night at the Marine Corps Ball
Am I the only cynical one that sees all this as a pure publicity stunt?
May '11
Re: Justin Timerblake's Night at the Marine Corps Ball
In fact, I think his write up is a bit condescending.
Aug '11
Re: Justin Timerblake's Night at the Marine Corps Ball
I think it's better to slip the bonds of cynicism once in a while. It read pretty genuine to me.
Dec '10
Re: Justin Timerblake's Night at the Marine Corps Ball
Sorry CJ, quote doesn't work on iPads but thanks for the link & I hope dinner want well! Re: the sincerity of the post: I challenge anyone to watch the movie CJRun posted (via link) and question whether Mr. Timberlake was moved. You'd have to be a special kind of critter not to be tearing up when the SSgt. relates his search & rescue operation. God Bless our Marines (etc.) & those who appreciate them!
Oct '10
Re: Justin Timerblake's Night at the Marine Corps Ball
Yeah, I'm about as cynical as they come, but I think this was legit and that it's likely that Timberlake is just a stand up guy.
I've got a soft spot for Geraldo Rivera because of this sort of thing also. I remember his reporting when he was out in Afganistan with our military people. You could tell he legitimately loved our guys and gals. I suspect if things really got bad, he'd pick up a rifle and help out rather than claim neutral media citizen-of-the-world-status.
Being nice to our military people tends to make me forgive any number of sins.
Dec '10
Re: Justin Timerblake's Night at the Marine Corps Ball
I can't stand his music, but guy seems to be having so much fun with everything he does I can't hate. This story, was just moving. Got a little misty eyed just reading it. This country is so blessed to have the men and women serving it that it does. I hope the tradition of love and respect for our armed forces never disappears.
Dec '10
Re: Justin Timerblake's Night at the Marine Corps Ball
Sorry, I still don't give a rat's (deleted) about what Justin Timberlake does.