A Personal Note from Lori...

I am now back in Los Angeles after almost a month on tour in Southwest Asia (Bahrain, Qatar, Djibouti Africa, Kuwait, Afghanistan, and Kyrgyzstan) entertaining the troops for Armed Forces Entertainment. The experience was incredible, and upon my return, there are many things to think about and share with you.

I have always loved and respected the military, but my exposure in “the thick of things” has left me in awe of the men and women from all over the world who have stepped up to accomplish the difficult task of protecting our freedoms and creating a better world, with excellence and conviction.

Please, don’t for one minute think that our involvement over there is just about war, just about killing, or just about oil. Please, don’t for one second let yourselves be swayed to the idea that this is another Viet Nam with no good purpose. To me, that would be an insult to our fallen troops. Someone needs to inform Americans, without political considerations, there is more happening than our selective information would allow you to be aware of. No disrespect to everyone else and all the important things we do, but, I have had the pleasure and privilege of being with America’s finest – in shape, mind, body and spirit and in the business of saving and improving lives, not the opposite. Clearly, part of their mission is to save lives with purpose and humanity. I was made aware of cooperation between nations, more gratitude towards Americans than hatred, and all the wonderful things our military is doing. Yes, we see on the news the most volatile part of the job . . . I spoke with countless soldiers that go in and out of Iraq and Afghanistan doing what needs to be done. They are focused on the larger picture and know why they are there.

I thanked as many of the troops as I was able, for stepping up for me, and the larger picture, the world. The military personnel build schools, infrastructure, raise money for locals for things like sewing machines, so the local women can make clothes to sell and feed their children. They volunteer in orphanages on their off days, which I had the pleasure of doing when I was there, they share extra supplies with beyond-poor locals, and our hospitals treat all men, women and children in need . . . Even the worst of our homeless are not as “without” as many of the people in that part of the world, who don’t have the luxury of borrowing a dollar for their next meal. The military contributions and accomplishments go on and on.

I don’t think there are any reasonable people in the world who are not pro peace, but since the beginning of time there has been war and conflict to bring about positive change, which takes time, and positive change is happening. Unfortunately it comes at a price. We are all a part of the human race, and we need to work together to stop those who commit atrocities against other human beings. It would be fantastic if that could be accomplished by sitting at the round table and making nice. It is sad that is not in everyone’s vocabulary or perspective.

Our military, and those who contribute from around the world, are to be respected and thanked for the sacrifices they make for us, and humanity. What they do is so important and necessary. I believe everyone should have a peek into this other world for some understanding and perspective. Please don’t take to heart the perspective of politically motivated people.

GOD BLESS THE MILITARY, AND GOD BLESS AMERICA.

Love, Lori

September 20, 2007

I am writing from Djibouti, Africa and it's like a sauna here!

All the military is here, smaller base than Qatar. Tuesday we did the show for the USAF 60th anni-versary event. It was a huge tented stage and gathering area outside with a giant stage. We played for about 1,000 people. They loved the show. We made so many friends in Qatar from all over, who became our fans hoohahing like crazy! We spent much time greeting everyone after the show, signing autographs and giving out CDs.

We had some excitement the night before. We were invited to come to the airstrip with some Navy guys to get a tour of a very modified aircraft that they were working on - a communications craft. They had per-mission  to  give  the tour to us because  something that was classified was not on the plane at the time. Apparently, it wasn't cleared through proper channels and we got detained and almost arrested. They said we were  lucky  they didn't  throw us  on the  tarmack and handcuffed us. We were detained at the airfield security headquarters and after everything was communicated, and we got through loads of paperwork, we made more friends, gave some CDs, and got some more people to come to the show. There were no charges and we were released. Several of the guys came to the show. It was actually fun. What a hoot. There were guns and everything.

After the show, we tore down, gathered our stuff and partied almost all night before our early flight on a C-130 cargo plane again for a 5 hour flight to Africa. The venue here is fairly small and is the base cantina. We gig tonight and tomorrow night before heading out.

We took a trip into town today for shopping. This place would give anyone who complains about how they live some perspective. Goats wandering around, very poor, dirty conditions. Children begging on the streets. Tiajuana times 100! But it is on the coast of the Red Sea which is beautiful. Such contrast!

Anyway, I'm melting, but the food is good and plentiful at the bases. Doing a lot of walking. Should be in good shape when I get back.

Until next time. Love, Lori

September 22, 2007

I am writing from Qatar AF base (Al Udied) again. We are back at the Base from Africa, waiting for a flight to UAE air base for the next show tomorrow.

Our shows in Djibouti went great. They loved us — so many autographs and CDs given out! We were told over and over that we were the best band they have heard there. We were told that no band has kept a crowd at the cantina so long into the night. I was told I have an amazing voice. All the guys were great and so appreciative. I told them I am there to thank all of them in person for what they do. All I can do to give back is perform and give CDs.

On our last day in Africa we went with the chaplain of the base to an orphanage to help feed the babies. What an experience. Conditions were not good, but could have been worse. There were about 40+ babies and toddlers, with short staffing. Every day military personnel were signed up and volunteer to go to help.

You know you hear about all the bad things here — people getting killed, bombs, etc., but you have no idea how much good is being done in this region by the military, including fundraisers to help the locals — so much to tell! We talk to the guys in and out of Iraq, who have been injured, fixed, and then go back. These men are to be respected. They are proud of what they are doing, and believe in the mission. This is not Viet Nam, this has purpose in spite of all the shit you hear and what people there are led to believe. What we are doing is so hard, walking, lifting, lugging, heat, humidity, snakes, rats, dust, smoke, tents, bad water, sand, rocks, sore feet, sweat neverending, blah . . . blah.

But I am loving it because I have so much joy from the military appreciating us coming over and tolerating all of it to bring them a show. They treat us like gold — like we are important . . . always friendly, like we are loved, like family, sob . . . sob. My heart is so full it is spilling over, and I'm out of tissues, ha ha ha.

We are hoping for a hotel at this next place, near Dubai. We haven't had a hotel since the first stop, and we can really use it. We are hanging out at the airport 'til midnight to catch our flight on another C-130 cargo plane to UAE. The C-130s are fun, and loud... you have to wear earplugs. You pee behind a curtain in a pot, but we get to stretch out on benches and sleep when there aren't too many people. The plane's movements are so abrupt, the descents and landings fast and furious. Good times.

Until next time people. I love you. Lori

September 28, 2007

Hope all is well.

We had a great time in UAE, at a place I won't disclose. We had a tour of all the operations, I can't really say details of this location, but I will say that the General and I are on a first name basis, we went into a city and had dinner (local food), saw the presidential palace, and palace hotel . . . WOW! Also saw the 2nd largest mosque in the world . . . WOW . . . and we were treated like rock stars!

We are now in Kuwait. We are in a beautiful hotel downtown Kuwait City with a view on the 17th floor of all of downtown and the Persian Gulf. This city has been built up, thanks to the Americans, and

is very nice. We have run into other entertainers here. We are performing out in the desert camps close to the Iraq border where guys go in and out of there. Driving here we see endless desert with some debris fields from the gulf war. There is nothing but sand out here with an occasional camp. We get a security escort everywhere and are well taken care of. The guys really need the entertainment for morale and are thankful for it. I must say, the military is very well taken care of in all these places. We are seeing things and getting knowledge that most americans are not aware of, and is certainly not on the news, the humanitarian efforts, support, cooperation between nations, I can't even go into it. My heart and soul is overflowing. We fly out to Afghanistan sometime after tonights show. You have to fly in at night there and it is a 6 hour flight on a C-130 cargo plane. Then one more stop for 2 shows in Kyrgestan(sp) then home. I will be putting in for another tour as soon as I get back with USO, AKA, and AFE. Until next time.

Love, Lori

October 1, 2007

Let's see, where did I leave off?

We flew in to Kuwait International airport which is shared by civilians and military. We were put up in a beautiful hotel downtown with a view of the city and the Persian Gulf. I was surprised  how much the city  was reconstructed so fast.  We were taken to  the main military air base to meet the CO and get a brief-

ing on what goes on there. Main hub for deployment in Iraq. They work in cooperation with the government. We did shows on Thursday and Friday at 2 desert camps about 10 miles from the Iraq border with soldiers going in and out. Everyone carried a gun, quite an interesting environment. Somewhat of a turn on in a weird way . . .

We then were off to Afghanistan in the mountains We have had tours of operations/fantastic, I won't go in to detail but we have pics of us on fighter jets, and black hawk helicopters. We were brought to talk with as many guys as we could. I can't say everything here. We also toured their state-of-art hospital . . . this is a good place that does good things. They help wherever they can and take care of the Afghan people and children . . . so, so much to tell.

Tonight we go to Kyrgystan for 2 shows and then home.

Love Lori

Otoberber 3, 2007

We are in Kyrgystan, near Russia and China, near the Himalayas you can see in the distance. We leave early Friday am for Moscow, then to NYC, then LA.

We just finished our last show, wow!! We decided to do a song that has been requested frequently . . . "Free Bird." The bass, drums, and guitar players already knew it, so today the guitar player taught it to the keyboardist and I got the lyrics from the internet. We ran through it once in the afternoon, and tonight — the crowd went nuts!! The song brought them to their feet yelling and screaming.

We so many friends on this trip and we have been informed just how loved and appreciated we are. I have signed so many autographs, headshots and CDs. I will never forget the amazing people from all over the world I have met on this trip . . . how they made me feel . . . how special we were treated . . . and how much they expressed their love and appreciation for me and the band for the uplift in morale we brought to each and every one of them. I received that lift back — 10 fold . . . pure joy.

I will never be the same. Love, Lori