Sustainers welcome the Sergeant Major of the Army and Hope and Freedom Tour

By 1st Sgt. Reginald M. SmithJanuary 1, 2009

Sustainers welcome the Sergeant Major of the Army and Hope and Freedom Tour
1 / 4 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Sgt. Maj. of the Army Kenneth O. Preston speaks to Soldiers during a luncheon at Joint Base Balad, Iraq, Dec. 21. Preston, during his visit with the United Service Organization Hope and Freedom tour, had the opportunity to hear Soldiers questions and... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Sustainers welcome the Sergeant Major of the Army and Hope and Freedom Tour
2 / 4 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Sgt. Maj. of the Army Kenneth O. Preston listens to a Soldier's question during a town hall meeting at Joint Base Balad, Iraq, Dec. 21. Preston, who visited JBB with The Sergeant Major of the Army's 2008 USO Hope and Freedom Tour, met with Soldiers a... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Sustainers welcome the Sergeant Major of the Army and Hope and Freedom Tour
3 / 4 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Sgt. Maj. of the Army Kenneth O. Preston greets Master Sgt. Charles Cooley, 42nd Military Police Brigade, during his tour of the Air Force hospital at Joint Base Balad, Iraq, Dec. 21. Preston, who was at JBB during The Sergeant Major of the Army's 20... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Sustainers welcome the Sergeant Major of the Army and Hope and Freedom Tour
4 / 4 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Capt. Savannah Estes and a member of the 207th Medical Detachment greets Sgt. Maj. of the Army Kenneth O. Preston during a tour of the Air Force hospital at Joint Base Balad, Iraq Dec. 21. Preston came to JBB during The Sergeant Major of the Army's 2... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL

The Sgt. Maj. of the Army, Kenneth O. Preston visited with Soldiers 21 Dec. at Joint Base Balad as he joined entertainers from his Hope & Freedom Tour.

Command Sgt. Maj. Willie C. Tennant, 3rd Sustainment Command (Expeditionary), escorted him throughout his tour with one of the first stops being the Air Force Theater Hospital. While there, Preston visited with staff and Soldiers.

The SMA then attended a luncheon with junior enlisted Soldiers and non-commissioned officers in the Audie Murphy Room at an east side dining facility.

Following the luncheon, he held two town hall meetings, one with the junior enlisted Soldiers and non-commissioned officers and the second with senior non-commissioned officers.

During his meeting with junior enlisted Soldiers Preston stated, "the most important thing for me as I travel and talk to Soldiers is to get your concerns, what's on your mind, what are you thinking about and what are your questions."

"We could not do what we're doing as an Army if it wasn't for the National Guard and the Reserve," continued Preston.

Later, speaking with the senior leadership at a separate meeting Preston commented on the effectiveness of the Army by saying that, "American Soldiers have done a wonderful job working themselves out of a job." His statement referenced to the success of multiple missions including the Southwest U.S. border mission, securing airports across the U.S. in the wake of 9-11, and establishing, training, and building Iraqi security forces to help create a more secure Iraq.

While the SMA conducted his town hall meetings, groups of Hope & Freedom Tour entertainers toured Joint Base Balad and performed at multiple locations throughout the base. Later the entire Hope & Freedom Tour entertained service members at the Sustainer Theater highlighted by country and western singers, Craig Morgan, Keni Thomas and Mark Wills.

Other entertainers performing at the show were model Leeann Tweeden, comedian Louis CK, and the U.S. Army Band Downrange. The freedom show included the appearance of the Miami Dolphin cheerleaders, Ariana Aubert, Kayla Patterson and Lilly Robbins.