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Justin Timberlake Calls Marine Corps Ball: “Most Moving Evenings I’ve Ever Had”

Justin Timberlake Kelsey De Santis Marine Corps Ball

10:57 am, November 13th, 2011

(WJLA)

Justin Timberlake accepted an invitation in July to attend the Marine Corps Ball, and last night the star kept his word.

On Saturday, Timberlake escorted Cpl. Kelsey De Santis to the Marine gala at the Greater Richmond Convention Center in Richmond, Virginia.

He posed with several Marines at the event, and was nothing less than gracious.

On Sunday, he took to his blog to talk about “one of the most moving evenings I’ve ever had.”

Timberlake wrote about “the honor and privilege” he had attending the ball.

He said, “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. I had this very feeling walking into this dinner.”

Of his date De Santis, Timberlake noted, “She seemed to me to be so humble and honest… Very cool. She also simultaneously seemed like she was nervous about the whole evening and if I was going to enjoy myself… It’s not every day that I meet a 23 year old girl and she’s more worried about if I’m having fun or if I’m comfortable! It hit me all of a sudden that these were the type of people that look after us and our freedom… Humble, concerned for others before themselves… This was the type of person our Marine Corps was building. I was really blown away.”

Timberlake said he “laughed and laughed” with the Marines at his table, but was mostly “moved” by the evening’s speeches and tributes.

He added, “To all of you that serve every day for us… Ensuring our freedom, I say: My deepest gratitude to you. I’ve met so many of my heroes… From Michael Jordan to Michael Jackson. And, nothing makes me feel more honor and pride than when I get to meet one of you. Last night changed my life and I will never forget it.”

Timberlake further asked, “To people like me who get to benefit from this type of person… One with character and courage. With strength and bravery. With humility and honor… I say: Send your thanks. Do it however you can. Write a letter, type an email… Hell, buy ‘em a beer next time you run into someone from our Armed Forces in a bar. When they say thank you for that drink that cost you 3 bucks, they’ll mean it. They won’t take it for granted and, they won’t forget it.”

“Thank you Corporal Kelsey De Santis,” concluded the superstar. “Thank you for inviting me. And, thank you for being my hero.”

Several months ago, De Santis posted a YouTube video in which she looked into a camera and told Timberlake that she wanted to “ask [him] to come to the Marine Corps ball with me… And if you can’t go, all I have to say is cry me a river.”

Not long afterwards, Timberlake was asked at a press conference for Friends with Benefits about the video invitation (VIDEO below), and he said, “I’ll tell you what: I accept.”

What do you think about Timberlake’s experience at the Marines Corps Ball?

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