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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Comments :
Re: Justin Timerblake's Night at the Marine Corps Ball
That's a shame. He's a tremendous conduit to young people we don't normally get to reach with this kind of message. While I'm always cynical about celebrities...we never see their true colors...I think this was a wonderful thing to do. And a wonderful letter to put out to his millions of fans.
Oct '10
Re: Justin Timerblake's Night at the Marine Corps Ball
I think I remember the back story on this now and Mr. Google appears to confirm my recollection on this. Timberlake received this invitation after another quick thinking Marine got Mila Kunis to accept his invitation. He seems to be having a lot of fun in the picture that was posted with this story and his letter confirms it.
Turns out he's a stand up guy and I agree with Denise on the larger picture. It's a very nice thing that he did and the letter afterwards was magnificent.