“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,” Justin Timberlake said on his blog after attending the Marine Corps Ball.
“I felt so proud to be there,” writes Timberlake. “I felt like I was getting a chance to be among my heroes.”
This past weekend, Justin Timberlake attended the 236th Marine Corps Birthday Ball at the Greater Richmond Convention Center in Richmond, Va.
He escorted Corporal Kelsey De Santis.
“For a short while, I had the opportunity to sit with Kelsey, get to know her and get a tiny glimpse into what her life as a Marine was like,” writes Timberlake. “She talked about her training in mixed martial arts with a passion, a discipline, and a respect. It reminded me of how I hear my favorite athletes talk about their sport or, how I hear my favorites among my peers in music and film talk about their craft.”
According to the Associated Press, earlier this year, De Santis invited Timberlake through a YouTube video and Timberlake accepted.
On Timberlake’s blog, he described his night in detail.
“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,” writes Timberlake. “They were there FIRST. There on the front lines.”
The actor also shared his feelings on the armed forces.
“I’ve always been very vocal about my support of our Armed Forces. I’ve always felt like they offered us the opportunity to live our lives freely without the fear that so many other nations have to endure still to this day. And, they do it without asking for anything in return,” writes Timberlake. “Thank you Corporal Kelsey DeSantis. Thank you for inviting me. And, thank you for being my hero.”
