The Dallas Cowboys cheerleaders are part of the presentation that turned the Cowboys into “America’s Team.”
Women who perform as part of the squad become an iconic part of the team and the NFL.
But now a Dallas Cowboys cheerleader just created a stir with this revealing performance.
The Cowboys’ cheerleaders complete USO Tour of South Korea
The Dallas Cowboys cheerleaders completed a United States Organization (USO) Tour of South Korea, where they entertained the troops with dance performances, put on youth cheer clinics, and attended meet and greets.
Team member McKenzie spoke to Fox News to describe what the trip meant to her and what it revealed about being an American.
McKenzie explained that trips like these are important reminders of the frivolity of daily life – tens of millions of Americans live and die with NFL Sundays – but that the truth is there are men and women willing to die so everyone can pretend like football games are life-changing events.
“I think it’s easy to take being an American and being free for granted, just because we’re in the hustle and bustle of our day jobs and staying busy,” McKenzie stated.
McKenzie said traveling abroad to meet the troops also reveals the sacrifices their families make as they uproot and move to foreign countries so they can live with their spouses.
“But I think the moment that we’re able to slow down, and the Cowboys were supporting us on this journey and this tour, you see these people. They’ve left their families. A lot of families moved with them to South Korea, and it became a whole family affair,” McKenzie added. “It’s not just the people serving [who] are making the sacrifices.”
McKenzie continued, “It affects so many people down the line. But just watching them in uniform, learning about the service dogs or learning about the equipment that they use, it just gives you a better perspective about what it means to be free and what these people do so that we can be free.”
How USO trips affect those who perform
USO trips were made famous by legendary star Bob Hope, who performed on them yearly until 1990.
McKenzie said these trips change those who travel to put on a show to bring a moment of levity to the troops’ lives.
“I tell people that there’s you prior to the USO tour and experiencing what military life is like from the inside and then you after,” McKenzie told Fox News.
Anyone who performs for the military walks away awe-struck at the sacrifice these heroes are willing to make.
“I really, firmly believe that anyone who can get the opportunity to go leaves as a changed individual. You have a greater appreciation for your freedom, for the sacrifice that these people make, but also for their diverse backgrounds and the fact that they have a common dedication to safeguarding our freedoms and all that they do for us,” McKenzie stated.
“In a few words? I say this experience was humbling, rewarding and life-changing,” McKenize remarked.
McKenzie did admit that being affiliated with the Cowboys made the trips easier since sports are one of the few institutions left that unites Americans.
“The best thing about sports is that it brings people together,” McKenzie declared.
“That’s our common ground. They recognize the star in our uniform or our jacket, and that’s an easy way to break the ice. And you have some Cowboys fans there. You have fans of other teams or not even football fans at all. But the main theme is that they know who the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders are. They’re excited to see us. And it’s always fun to start with the sports icebreaker and then . . . get to know people better from there,” McKenzie concluded.
