04 December 2001
Mariah Carey’s star glitters as she brings holiday cheer to soldiers in
Kosovo
by Sgt. Jamie Brown
Senior Editor - 131st MPAD
(Continued from Page 1)
sgt. Jamie Brown/photo
Carey steps off of a Chinook Helicopter at Camp Magrath.
Bringing back visions of USO glamour girls of the past such as Marilyn
Monroe and Ann Margret, Mariah Carey stepped off of the plane wearing a low-cut
camouflage jumpsuit, and her star power never dimmed until she flew away.
Carey, the performer of more number one singles than any other female pop
diva, was in Kosovo on Dec. 4 as part of a USO sponsored trip to boost the
morale of soldiers here who could not be with their families during the holiday
season. Armed Forces Entertainment (Department of Defense) and USO presented
this in cooperation with the local Morale, Welfare and Recreation.
Carey arrived at Camp Able Sentry, and after
being presented an honorary gortex jacket by Brig. Gen. Keith Huber, Task
Force Falcon Commander, the singer and her entourage boarded a (CH-47) Chinook
Helicopter and traveled to Camp Monteith. At Camp Monteith the singer dined
at the chow hall and took the time to sign hundreds of autographs for the
troops there. Looking like a scene out of an old Beatle’s movie where fans
chase the band, troops flocked Carey trying to get a photo or just a glimpse
of the entertainer.
After a short stay at Camp Magrath, where
the singer said hello to the troops and even gave out a few hugs, Carey landed
on Camp Bondsteel.
In a packed theater, in front of more than
700 soldiers, Carey brought a little Christmas cheer to the troops. Wearing
a white dress, Carey began the show with an energetic performance of “Loverboy”
her most recent single. She dedicated the next song, an emotional medley of
“Never Too Far” and “Hero”, to the soldiers. After changing into a blue dress,
Carey sang “My All.” Then several soldiers joined Carey onstage to decorate
two Christmas trees. While the soldiers helped her decorate the trees, Carey
led the crowd in renditions of Christmas carols.
After changing into a red outfit (making
her outfits for the evening red, white and blue), Carey ended her show with
“All I Want For Christmas Is You.” It had been a show where Carey interacted
with soldiers at every opportunity, even calling up volunteers to show her
how to call cadence. After the show, the performer once again took the time
to sign hundreds of autographs for soldiers.
Carey said the experience of spending some
holiday time with the troops was gratifying. “I really feel like this year
it’s very important for us all to try and inspire each other and support each
other so it’s nice to come,” she said. “I thought everybody was in really
good spirits, really great, really warm and it was a nice experience.”
The soldiers agreed that it was a nice experience
as well.
“I really felt it was a morale booster,”
said Spc. Daniel Jones, 66th MP Co. “It gives us some excitement.”
Pfc. Jenae Nesbit, TFF G-2, (10th Mtn. Div.),
had the privilege of operating a spotlight for Carey’s performance, and also
enjoyed seeing the performer up close.
“I’m a big fan,” she said. “I feel good.
It made my day.”