Delivering a Little Home to U.S. Troops
The Magic received some special surprises! Soldiers stationed overseas wrote to us about the Dancers' visit. We'd like to share that and a photo from the visit with you:
Dear Orlando Magic,
On behalf of the soldiers, sailors and airmen stationed at Camp Eagle Bosnia Herzegovina, I would like to say that the Magic Dancers put on a wonderful show for our troops. The Dancers were very beautiful and vibrant as they danced across the stage for us. That character "Stuff"" team mascot is a real hoot. The evening was a great event for me because I am a Floridian from Jacksonville, Florida. I have never been to Orlando to watch a basketball game yet, but after having seen these Dancers perform I believe I will have to take in a game when I return from my deployment.
The soldiers were very impressed the following morning after the performance when about half of the dancers showed up in the gym to perform physical fitness training with the Task Force Cyclone soldiers at 0600 am. As one of the leaders of the physical fitness formation I could see the reaction of the troops when the Dancers entered the gym in their workout clothes and fell into the formation. After doing warm-up and stretching exercises, we performed 10 stations of circuit training with 40 seconds at each station and then a lap around the gym in between exercises. Your Dancers stayed for the entire period to include the cool down.
Hats off to the Magic Dancers and their organization for providing our soldiers some well deserved entertainment and interaction with some of America's most beautiful and talented women.
Serving proudly in Bosnia.....
SSG Goddard
NCOIC Attack Aviation
Task Force Cylones
Enduring Mission Bosnia |
Dear Orlando Magic,
 I just wanted to say thanks for your recent visit to Sarajevo. It was an
incredible show and did much for our morale. You all were so friendly and
approachable despite having just met us. It was a remarkable experience for
all...and certainly made me proud to be an American! (and anxious to go
home)
Again, you all did an wonderful thing--thank you so much.
Go Air Force!
Robert A. Surrey, Capt, USAF
P&C Officer, Theater Allied Contracting Office |
Dear Orlando Magic,
I am an army National Guard pilot deployed in Bosnia. I am also a resident of Orlando and work with the Orange County Sheriff's Office. I recently saw a program put on by the Magic Dancers at Eagle Base Bosnia. I wanted to let you know that it was a terrific show and it was very entertaining for the troops. I was very proud of the Dancers and Stuff for their dedication and support of our deployed troops. The living conditions during their trip is primitive and the weather is harsh. It was great to see and meet faces from home. I expressed my appreciation to all before they left Eagle Base and wanted to let all in the Magic organization know how we felt about their appearance. They all did an outstanding job and you, the organization, should be very proud of them.
Thank you,
CW4 Max Maxwell
TF Enduring Mission, Bosnia-Herzegovina
Aviation - Attack
Apache Pilot / Maintenance Test Pilot
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Dear Danielle,
Thank you for going to Kosovo. My fiance is currently stationed over there. He caught your show and he talked to you. I think it is a great thing what you all are doing. Thank you for being there for all of America's troops. You are a wonderful person. God bless you.
Jen
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Dear Orlando Magic,
I just wanted to let you all know how much I appreciate the character of these young women. It is a long way from anywhere to come to Kosovo and spend time with the troops, especially with the weather we are having right now. All I saw were smiles and a true sincerity to meet the troops, talk with them and just break up the tone of the day with some laughter and conversation with some Americans from home.
I think the dance show was the least significant event of the visit. More important was their willingness to walk up to some very hard working men and women and say, "Hi, we are here to visit and tell you we support you." What great attitudes and what a show of selflessness. It does good things for morale.
You should be very proud of these girls. While the media is focused on the high priced talent and their antics on and off the court, you have a group of fine young women who without fanfare demonstrated their concern for the soldiers who are protecting their country. They all need to be recognized for the patriots that they are.
LTC Todd R. Fredricks
KFOR 6A Flight Surgeon
"Duty First!"
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Dear Orlando Magic,
You guys are truly the best! I can't express enough how much your tour is really appreciated by the troops and of course, me. I know you and your team of wonderful Dancers have surely left a lasting impression on the men and women in uniform over here.
So, thank you so much for taking the time to break away from your busy schedules back home to be here in the cold with us supporting what we do all over the world...it really meant a lot!
We’ll sure miss everyone!
Ciao - Dante (You guys rock!)
Camp Butmir, Sarajevo Bosnia
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Dear Orlando Magic,
Today is 13 December 2004, and I am currently stationed over seas at Camp Bondsteel, Kosovo. The Orland Magic Dancers came here to do a show, and while they were here they passed out free calendars, cards and tee-shirts. One of my jobs while they where here was to escort them through our TOC during their visit with Genera Carmony. The girl's rocked, they have no idea what it means to us soldiers when they come and perform for us. Take care and God Bless!!
SPC Justin M. Shaver
Secretary of the Generals Staf
37th BCT, TFF, KFOR6A
Office: (DSN) 781-6010
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Dear Jeanine and the Orlando Magic,
This is CW2 Ray Whaley, the Apache pilot from Florida. We met on your trip to Bosnia earlier in the month. I want to thank you and the cheerleaders for a wonderful time and a great performance. You definitely lifted the spirits of the guys here. The fact that you not only raised the morale of American troops, you raised the morale of soldiers of several other countries. That is truly an international effort.
From the pilots and soldiers of the Florida Army National Guard serving in Bosnia for Operation Enduring Mission, we want to wish you and the cheerleaders a safe and Merry Christmas. Hopefully, we will be home soon and be able to visit Orlando to watch a Magic game. The effort you and the cheerleaders put together has made Magic fans of all of us. Take care and feel free to keep in touch.
Sincerely,
Ray Whaley
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