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Gloria Estefan Salutes Troops With Naval Base Concert
DoD-AFPS ^ | June 26, 2004 | Sgt. 1st Class Doug Sample

Posted on 06/26/2004 7:01:47 PM PDT by Ragtime Cowgirl

American Forces Press Service


Gloria Estefan Salutes Troops With Naval Base Concert

By Sgt. 1st Class Doug Sample, USA
American Forces Press Service

NORFOLK, Va., June 26, 2004 -- The Defense Department can add Latin music star Gloria Estefan to the growing list of celebrities who have come out to support service members fighting the war on terror.

Latin music star Gloria Estefan entertains service members during a concert at Naval Station Norfolk, Va., June 25. Estefan performed the free show as part of a "Tribute to Heroes" television special that will air in September. The star said the concert was to thank service members for the "tough job" they do in the military. Photo by Sgt. 1st Class Doug Sample, USA
(Click photo for screen-resolution image); high-resolution image available.

During a free June 25 concert at Naval Station Norfolk, Va., Estefan, backed by her Miami Sound Machine band, paid tribute to more than 1,000 service members who cheered wildly as the star sang a medley of her hit recordings.

Estefan's television production company and Spanish cable network Telemundo recorded the concert for a television special called "A Tribute to Heroes" that will air in September. The show's producers have been in Norfolk for a week filming local Hispanic service members and their families for the special.

Estefan said the concert was her way of thanking service members for the "tough job" that they do and to say she is "very proud" of their service.

"I'm thankful for the work that our troops are doing," she said. "That kind of job, it's a very hard job, it's very tough," she added. "They spend a lot of separation from their families, and I know, because I lived it."

The Cuban-born singer's father served in the Army in Vietnam. She said her fondest memory of childhood was growing up on military bases in Texas and South Carolina. The concert, she added, was in part a tribute to her father.

"He came back very ill from 'Nam, and I never got the opportunity to thank him or to tell him how proud I was of him for the things he did, not only for freedom, (but also) because he really fought for that and this country."

Estefan and her production crew spent two days at the naval base, including a visit aboard the USS Gonzalez, a guided missile destroyer named for Vietnam veteran and Marine Corps platoon sergeant Alfredo Cantu Gonzales, the son of Mexican immigrants.

Gonzales died a hero in Vietnam after volunteering to return there for a second tour of duty. He took part in the initial phase of Operation Hue City, near Thaua Thien, where he was killed by rocket fire.

Estefan said the "Tribute to Heroes" special hopes to recognize the contribution of Hispanics like Gonzales. She pointed out that many Hispanics are serving in the military. "Many people don't realize enough how much Hispanics have served this country," she said.

"You know my dad did," she added, "and there were a lot of his friends who were Hispanics who served, so this (concert special) is a nod to them, and a big 'Thank you' from us."

She emphasized, though, that her "thanks" has no ethnic boundaries. Estefan said she is grateful for the job all service members are doing, particularly those serving overseas. She said she hopes the United States achieves peace in Iraq and Afghanistan as soon as possible so that service members there can come home.

"We're all very proud of them," she said. "We're very thankful for the job that they do and the service they're doing for the country and the world, and for the cause of freedom," she said. "I just want to tell them to stay very strong and healthy, and we pray for you every day. Just know that you are in our thoughts, and we think about you a lot."

Meanwhile, service members at the concert very much appreciated Estefan's gratitude.

Navy Petty Officer 1st Class Leonette Masters, who said she is a big fan of the singer, said it's important to see "someone from the Latin community show support for service members."

Coast Guard Lt. Cmdr. Jose Zuniga, who traveled from North Carolina for the show, said he thought it was "great for Estefan to take the time out of her schedule to come recognize service members."

Air Force Tech. Sgt. David Rivas made the concert a family event, bringing along his wife and two sons. "This concert shows that she really appreciates the job we do for our country," he said.

Air Force Tech. Sgt. Davis Rivas of Puerto Rico was one of the many Hispanic service members who came to see Latin music star Gloria Estefan perform June 25 at Naval Station Norfolk, Va. Rivas is joined by his wife, Mary, and sons Emmanuel, 7, and Brandon, 8. Photo by Sgt. 1st Class Doug Sample, USA
Latin superstar Gloria Estefan poses for a photo with Navy Petty Officer 1st Class Leonette Masters and her family -- son Joshua 8, daughter Paryn 5, and grandmother Donne Maes. Estefan took time to sign autographs and pose for pictures with fans shortly after her June 25 concert at Naval Station Norfolk, Va. Photo by Sgt. 1st Class Doug Sample, USA
Service members and their families attending Gloria Estefan's "Tribute to Heroes" concert begin to form near the stage to see the Latin singer at Naval Station Norfolk, Va., June 25. Photo by Sgt. 1st Class Doug Sample, USA


TOPICS: Culture/Society; Foreign Affairs; News/Current Events; War on Terror
KEYWORDS: estefan; gnfi; goodguys; iraq; norfolk; supportourtroops
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1 posted on 06/26/2004 7:01:48 PM PDT by Ragtime Cowgirl
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To: TEXOKIE; xzins; Alamo-Girl; blackie; SandRat; Calpernia; SAMWolf; prairiebreeze; MEG33; ...
      ~ ~      

"We're all very proud of them. We're very thankful for the job that they do and the service they're doing for the country and the world, and for the cause of freedom. I just want to tell them to stay very strong and healthy, and we pray for you every day. Just know that you are in our thoughts, and we think about you a lot."             ~  Gloria Estefan    

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2 posted on 06/26/2004 7:05:32 PM PDT by Ragtime Cowgirl
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To: Ragtime Cowgirl

I've always liked her.


3 posted on 06/26/2004 7:08:20 PM PDT by Tribune7
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To: Ragtime Cowgirl
"She pointed out that many Hispanics are serving in the military. "Many people don't realize enough how much Hispanics have served this country," she said. "

That is so very true, going back to before WWI. Many are immigrants. There is a proposal before Congress now to make it easier for veterans of the Iraqi and Afghanistan wars to apply for citizenship.

4 posted on 06/26/2004 7:18:00 PM PDT by bayourod (Can the 9/11 Commission connect the dots on Iraq or do they require a 3-D picture?)
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To: Ragtime Cowgirl

I enjoy her and her music. She can be very articulate. I remember her on "Politically Incorrect" one time. She wasn't making many comments--I got the impression she didn't like the juviline tome of the show. At the end though, Mahler made some off the cuff comment about Cuba. Very patiently and calmly she began to point out the error of the comment and some facts about Cuba. Mahler was actually listening and seemed to be absorbing some of it.


5 posted on 06/26/2004 7:20:22 PM PDT by Ruth A.
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To: Ragtime Cowgirl

A beautiful and talented lady and one class act.


6 posted on 06/26/2004 7:23:09 PM PDT by NilesJo
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To: Ragtime Cowgirl

A real class act!! Thanks for the uplifter RC!


7 posted on 06/26/2004 7:51:21 PM PDT by proudmilitarymrs (If you can read this, thank a teacher. If you are reading it in English, thank a soldier.)
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To: Ragtime Cowgirl

Ragtime Cowgirl,That's nice she did that.


8 posted on 06/26/2004 8:02:29 PM PDT by fatima (My Granddaughter Karen is Home-WOOHOO We unite with all our troops and send our love-)
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To: Ragtime Cowgirl; alpheus; helmut113; GottaLuvAkitas1; GeorgeW23225; Mudboy Slim; pachanga; ...

Thank you, Gloria!!!


9 posted on 06/26/2004 8:09:41 PM PDT by Flora McDonald (Stand the Storm!)
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To: Ragtime Cowgirl

GLORIA....ALLELUIA..thanks... :-)


10 posted on 06/26/2004 8:18:44 PM PDT by AmericanMade1776
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To: Ragtime Cowgirl

Gloria seems to have retained her popularity since growing out of the teenie-bopper stage, unlike Madonna and the rapidly declining Brittney. What's the difference? Could it be real talent verses a reliance on cleavage and soft-stage-porn?


11 posted on 06/26/2004 8:19:31 PM PDT by AD from SpringBay (We have the government we allow and deserve.)
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To: Ragtime Cowgirl
Ms. Estefan is my all time favorite female vocalist and considering how much I love the Latin rhythms, she is just tops.

If any of you folks have a decent DVD surround sound system, you got to buy her DVD "Gloria Estefan Live and Unwrapped" Turn the lights off and crank up the volume!!!

My only regret is that she faded away from the Miami Sound Machine type of music and evolved into more sedate love songs. I ain't much of a music critic so thats the only way I can describe it......... I still love her tho!

12 posted on 06/26/2004 8:22:02 PM PDT by Hot Tabasco (I long for the olden days when men were truly gentlemen and differences were settled by duels)
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To: Ruth A.

You mean Mahler was absorbed in someting besides himself, for once,


13 posted on 06/26/2004 8:28:21 PM PDT by oyez (¡Desea vivo el revolutuin de Reagan!)
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To: Ragtime Cowgirl

What a wonderful tribute!!!! Gloria, here's to YOU and to FREEDOM!!!!


14 posted on 06/26/2004 8:34:02 PM PDT by soozla ("F.U. - LONG OVERDUE!!" - BUSH/CHENEY '04)
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To: Ragtime Cowgirl

What a wonderful tribute!!!! Gloria, here's to YOU and to FREEDOM!!!!


15 posted on 06/26/2004 8:34:46 PM PDT by soozla ("F.U. - LONG OVERDUE!!" - BUSH/CHENEY '04)
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To: Luis Gonzalez

Salsa bump.


16 posted on 06/26/2004 8:36:44 PM PDT by jwalsh07
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To: bayourod

WOW! She's still singing? GE is really classy.


17 posted on 06/26/2004 8:36:50 PM PDT by cyborg
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To: oyez

That's what amazed me, too. I could hardly believe that he would bow to her knowledge of Cuba. Of course, it happened at the end and during closing credits.


18 posted on 06/26/2004 9:16:41 PM PDT by Ruth A.
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To: AD from SpringBay

It's all about the class ... and talent. Yes, I'm a fan and have seen her in concert. She sounds as good live as she does recorded. She and everyone around her work as one.


19 posted on 06/26/2004 9:20:14 PM PDT by NorthOf45
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To: Ragtime Cowgirl; All

I wish I could have been there ....

Thanks again for these reports. I have been using these and others to help out A. M. Siriano with his new website, called "Good News" (http://www.amgoodnews.com). I hope you'll check it out, it's a good way to start the day.


20 posted on 06/27/2004 5:49:42 AM PDT by Americathy
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