Valerie had been performing at Fort Polk, LA in something called the Blues Review every weekend.  The Army Entertainment Division had been looking to recruit for a traveling band show to entertain the troops world wide and raise morale.  Someone from that division came to the Blues Review and saw her sing and play the keyboards.  They approached her and she filled out the paperwork and got it signed by her Commanding officer.  Then they video taped one of her performances but there were no promises because the auditions had been closed for 6 weeks and they couldn't find a keyboardist. 

It was rumored that Val's unit was supposed to ship out to Iraq - right before the 508th - a mechanic and facility support group like hers - got captured.  Soon, her unit was getting word that they were all going to ship out for separate missions in the United States, so it looks like she is the only one of the 488th to go back to the Middle East. They have been in touch and are very proud of her!

She was transferred to Fort Belvoir, Virginia and after practicing for 1 week with the band, 14 hours per day, they put on their dress rehearsal yesterday.   She was so excited because she was closer to Ginger now as Ginger is in Virginia but they were still 3 hours away.  Ginger somehow got Saturday off - came to the show and said it was really wonderful!   It meant so much to Val that she and Jason came up for it.        

These shots were taken during and after the 1st show.  One of Val's solos is "When you say nothing at all" in honor of her Brother Brian and his fiance' Kristen - when she is traveling all over the world, they will be with her in her heart  when she sings this song.  After the show, Ginger got to take Valerie back to  Hampton, VA where she is stationed at Langley AFB for the weekend. 

After a short (3 hours?) train ride back to Alexandria, she will be  ready to tour - In May they go to  Kuwait, Iraq, Afghanistan and Uzbekistan.

She is very happy. 

I will post more pictures on the family site as they come in

click here to see how they are doing...

USA EXPRESS TOURING BAND SITE

http://groups.msn.com/USAExpressTouringBand