The Miami Dolphins are a long-time partner of Armed Forces Entertainment and have been sending morale-boosting tours for the troops overseas for over seven years.
The 2019 Holiday season was no exception. A group of cheerleaders and alumni players from the team traveled to Southwest Asia to bring holiday cheer to deployed troops in December 2019. They visited with troops, signed autographs, met with base leadership, trained with K9’s and even performed some of their dance routines. In all the photos and videos shared from the tour, the joy and excitement radiating from the troops is undeniable.
In one video posted by the Dolphins Cheerleaders, an unnamed service member shares his thanks to the team.
“Thank you so much for coming. We really appreciate it,” he said. “So much respect for you guys.”
Thanks to our troops at the last stop! What a great way to end our travels! pic.twitter.com/U8aBysKq0H
— Miami Dolphins Cheer (@MDCheer) December 31, 2019
One of the team’s stops was to visit Area Support Group – Jordan.
“We understand they [service members] are the reason why our [U.S.] shores are safe,” said Drayton in an interview with Sgt. 1st Class Shaiyla Hakeem. “Anytime I get a chance to go out and interact with military anywhere, at home or overseas, it’s such a huge honor.”
U.S. Army Sgt. Nathalie Janvier helped coordinate the Dolphins event in Jordan. Janvier told Hakeem, “We have a saying here, ‘every day is Monday.’ What that means is every day is a workday, weekends and holidays for troops are just another workday.”
First-year Dolphins cheerleader Kristen Pinard told Hakeem the reason she chose to cheer for the Dolphins was their connection to the military. Pinard explained how heart-warming and eye-opening the trip, her first overseas, was for her.
“I have laughed, I have cried, I’ve felt every emotion I can possibly feel,” explained Pinard, “I want to thank them [service members] for their service and sacrifice, I appreciate everything they do for our country, I can’t thank them enough. I hope and wish them the best for the holidays.”
That’s a wrap on Jordan! Thank you to all the men and women we met who are sacrificing their holiday season for our safety. We appreciate you every day and hope you have a happy and safe holiday!#SaluteToService x @armedforcesent pic.twitter.com/cuMSyBiuVn
— Miami Dolphins Cheer (@MDCheer) December 27, 2019
In an Instagram post she shared about the trip, Dolphins Cheerleader Ashley said she felt blessed to have had the opportunity to be a part of the tour.
“I had the honor of going on my second military tour this past December. We visited the servicemen and women in Egypt, Jordan and Abu Dhabi. Tour is such an incredible experience that allows us to meet the people who sacrifice so much for our safety and I am forever grateful for that. I’m glad we got to exchange stories with one another and bring them some joy and a piece of home during the holiday season. I will forever cherish the memories and friends I’ve made overseas,” she said.
