SUNDAY, MARCH 5TH, 2023 –“FINALLY” – AFTER 3 YEARS OF “COVID” LOCKDOWN – THE ARMED FORCES ENTERTAINMENT RUNAWAY JUNE WORLD TOUR FINALLY LAUNCHES!!!
So….FINALLY … Runaway June will be visiting military bases around the world – Germany, Italy, South Korea, Japan and Okinawa. They will perform 12 shows total and we won’t return to Nashville until March 27th – basically gone the entire month.
Typical “night before” leaving sleep for me. Got 1 ½ hours before showering, dressing and heading with Lindsey to the airport. Everyone was on time and we were able to check in at the Kiosk except for one person. The computer insisted that his name was incorrect. It wasn’t but have you ever tried to argue with a computer? Thankfully, the Delta Agent was able to check him in. Several members of the group did not have their TSA pre-check included and had to get that fixed because it was the longest line I’ve ever seen at Nashville Airport Security.
The airport is so “new” to me now after all the reconstruction and it is really beautiful. So many stores and restaurants have been added. And the Delta Lounge is awesome. They had just put out the lunch buffet and it rivaled any restaurant in the airport. Only I wasn’t hungry.
We boarded the small jet to JFK on time. No turbulence and I slept most of the way. We landed on time only to learn there was no “gate” available to us. We waited and waited and waited….finally 40 minutes later, we moved to the terminal. Then whoever was operating the jetway couldn’t seem to move it into position. Finally made it to the terminal and everyone split up to find food, etc. Don and I went into the Delta Lounge to WORK! Because of our delay getting a gate, we only had a 2 hour layover instead of a 3 hour layover.
Everyone in the group is so nice and “easy” to work with! Flight departed on time and was “smooth” all the way over. We landed in Frankfurt at around 8:30 am. Processing through Customs was easy with our “military travel orders”. By the time we arrived at baggage claim, all our bags were there and we were able to exit immediately. Michael Tietze – our wonderful tour bus driver who has been a dear friend for decades – was waiting for us. Loading the bus was a challenge because of all the construction but at least we didn’t have to take a shuttle bus.
When we landed, the girls presented Natalie with a “tierra” and a “sash” proclaiming her the “Birthday Queen” and insisted that she wear it all day.
We were loaded and on our way to Ramstein Air Base by 9:30 am. I sat up front with Michael most of the way and we talked about “old times”. It was a quick drive compare to some of the drives we have coming up these next few days in Germany and Italy. Not a very “scenic” route.
I contacted Mike – our POC for Ramstein – and he met us at the Gate with our visitor’s passes. Was very surprised that our “entry” was so easy! I had called the hotel and told them we would be arriving before noon and would appreciate the giving us whatever rooms they had available as an early check in. Once we arrived, all the rooms were ready for everyone. Everyone went to their rooms and then most people went to the Food Court for a quick lunch. The food court and lots of other shops including the base exchange are located upstairs from the Hotel Lobby. So convenient! I had a quick lunch with Michael and then went to my room to shower and work for a couple of hours.
At 5:00 pm, we all met downstairs in the lobby and another long time friend of mine – Jude Sorg (now Deputy Director of 86th Force Support Squadron at Ramstein) met us and we all went to dinner at a nice German restaurant called Babarossahof. Most of us ordered the Schnitzel with Pomme Frites and apple strudel for dessert! We had a special dessert brought out for Natalie with “sparkles” that she blew out.
We were headed back to lodging by around 9:30 – completely “stuffed” from the great meal. Earlier today, I ran into a really tall man in a dress uniform and we started chatting. He had an accent so I asked him where he’s from. He said he is from The Netherlands and is going to the concert tomorrow night with his “team mates” and indicated that there are 53 people total attending. They are here for the “Air Con” Basketball Tournament.
Great first day in Germany. Almost 2 am so going to grab a few hours of sleep before our lobby call at 9:15 am.
Jude
TUESDAY, MARCH 7TH – FIRST PERFORMANCE OF RUNAWAY JUNE WORLD TOUR AT RAMSTEIN AIR BASE, GERMANY:
Got 4 hours of sleep then met the girls and Don in the lobby to go to the FSS offices for an “on air” AFN Radio interview. The person interviewing them was named “Starburst” which we all thought was pretty cool.
Interview went great and was over in 30 minute. I had the announce that if they went to the Base FB page, we would give the first 50 people to respond a Runaway June Ball cap but they had to pick it up at the concert. It was 5 minutes between the AFN interview and lodging and by the time we got to lodging, 23 people had already claimed their caps.
The load in took an unusually long time today. I expected it to take the entire 3 hours but it actually took than that. Need to figure out “why” tomorrow and adjust accordingly because we don’t have even 3 hours to accomplish sound check in the future.
After sound check, everyone except Greg went to visit the Maintenance Unit and tour a C-130. Everyone really enjoyed this and our “hosts” were really great about explaining everything. The C-130 is my favorite aircraft and the one I flew in the most during my 39 tours to Iraq and 15 tours to Afghanistan.
After taking several group photos, we returned to lodging where we had a few hours for the girls to get “show ready”. I had to run back to the base exchange to pick up a few items for future shows. We also had pre-ordered dinner and we met our hosts at 4:15 pm in the lobby to retrieve the food and deliver it. Everyone has a refrigerator and microwave in their rooms so they can eat whenever they like.
We arrived at the performance at 6:30 pm and had a short M&G with leadership. Chief Dew was recruited to kick off the show and he did a great job.
Very, very happy with the turn out tonight on a Tuesday night. Had 277 people attend and they were “rowdy”! We had to open up the dividing wall to accommodate everyone. The girls put on a high energy, fun-filled performance and got a great response from the attendees. I know Jude and his staff are very pleased with the event.
The girls sing/play “Devil Went Down to Georgia” in their set list and just “tear it up”. Charlie would be so proud! Made me cry hearing them play the song but also made me happy that we’ll be taking Charlie’s music to military bases around the world “for him” even though he can’t be with us. Honoring our military was Charlie’s “passion” and it gives me great pleasure to be able to continue his legacy in this manner!
Girls took photos with over 100 people after the concert and then we went back to lodging to shower, pack up and roll through the night to Grafenwoehr, Germany. One of our hosts said it was the largest crowd he had seen in that venue and the best entertainment they had received since way before COVID.