By Marlene Kanehailua

Thank You for Protecting our Freedom

No words can express the experience that I was so fortunate to be a part of in Killeen, Texas this past weekend. Four Blazer Dancers including myself and coach Dee Dee were asked to visit the largest military base in the world...Fort Hood in Killeen, Texas.

Not knowing what to expect, the five of us, Marlene, Mindy, Tracy, Desiree and coach Dee Dee left Portland last Friday at 6:00 am. I had already put in an all-nighter with practice Thursday night until 10:30pm and I still had to pack my suitcase and be ready to leave for the airport by 3:45am. Our suitcases were heavy and full, but not with clothes and makeup, but with POSTERS.
We took almost a thousand posters with us to Fort Hood to sign
and give out to as many soldiers as we could.

Our coach told us to bring tennis shoes, shorts and Trail Blazer T-shirts to wear because we would be climbing in and out of tanks and much, much more.

Our flight left Portland for Dallas/Fort Worth, then we took a small, and I mean small, plane to Killeen. We were greeted by Briget who instantly stole our hearts away because she helped load all of our luggage into the van and waiting for us inside the van were gift bags filled with girl stuff like makeup and lotions. Then sitting on the floor was a platter of sub sandwiches, chips, and drinks. I was thinking to myself‚”We are starting off on the right foot here! I'm really gonna like this.”

So we changed into our Trail Blazer gear, got into the van again and headed straight for the base. Everywhere we went picture ID's were a must. We were told by our guides Pat and Briget that on September 11th, 2001, it took them eight hours to get past the security gates.

The first place we visited was an area where they train soldiers how to work the tanks used in war. We were at a simulation site that helps soldiers learn how to use the equipment without having to be in the real tanks. It was such a great experience. We were each given our own personal guides who took us into three different tanks and taught us how to maneuver the tanks and fire ammunition. This is where I began to feel and think about how serious and important these men and women are to the United States.

I signed my first poster (last season's "American Woman" poster), and I wrote, "Thank you for protecting our freedom."

Everywhere we went, people were telling us "Thank You", and I would turn it around and tell them, "No, THANK YOU for all you do".

I can't tell you how many times I found myself crying as I looked into a soldier's eyes, knowing that he or she is only eighteen years old and could be going off to war at anytime, fighting for my safety and freedom. Similarly, that's what our firefighters and police officers do everyday for us. They are all heroes.

We were given complete respect the whole time we were there. I had never been called "ma'am" so many times in my life! We had the privilege of spending a chunk of our time with Lieutenant Colonel McNeese, who was so enjoyable. Lt. Colonel McNeese, in my opinion, was the people's Colonel. He knew everyone by name, and they all saluted him with tremendous respect. Even when passing a young man on his cell phone, he dropped his cell phone to address and salute the Colonel. I will never forget going to Lt. Colonel McNeese’s office and he let us put on all his gear. He even let Coach DeeDee wear his Colonel beret.

Another highlight of the trip was visiting the Black Hawk and Apache helicopters. The soldiers allowed us to press buttons and move some of the blades and use some of their equipment used in combat. I was also told that all their helicopters are given Indian names.

The movie “Black Hawk Down” did a good job of keeping it real. Many of the soldiers say that sometimes Hollywood doesn't do a good job of making military movies, but “Black Hawk Down” was very realistic.

We spent time at some of the many Motor Pools where they keep all the tanks and Hum-V’s used in combat. We also visited with some Military Police officers at several gate checks and actually drove near to an actual practice combat area where soldiers stay out in the fields for a couple days and run drills, eat dehydrated foods, and practice combat.

On Saturday we spent three hours signing posters at the PX where the military goes to do their shopping tax free. Pat, the man that made it all possible for us to be there in Killeen, Texas, runs the PX. Through the years, Pat has brought through many NBA and NFL dancers and cheerleaders to entertain the troops for USO shows at Fort Hood. Celebrities like Britany Spears and Jessica Simpson were also guests to Fort Hood, so we felt special that we were chosen to visit.

The whole BlazerDancer squad (all seventeen of us), will return to Killeen, Texas in February to put on our show for the troops.

Our trip ended with some late night bowling on base which some of us discovered that we are pretty good at (Desiree), some late night chatting in our rooms, then a wake-up call at 4:00am to get ready to catch our flight home.

So now we are back to reality, very tired, full of emotion yet enriched with knowledge and a heart filled with love for our soldiers. I made a call to my mother upon my return to share my experience and also to tell her how proud I am that my dad served in the military and is now buried at the Veterans Cemetery in Hilo, Hawaii.

This experience has brought new meaning and light to my life. I am thankful that I was given the opportunity to experience this. God Bless the USA.