Dallas Cowboy Cheerleaders mesmerize Yongsan
by Sgt. Opal Vaughn
USAG Yongsan Public Affairs
Dec 27, 2010
[Photos]
GARRISON YONGSAN, Republic of Korea – Dubbed “America’s Sweethearts” the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders are one of the most popular cheerleader squads of the National Football League.
DCC have toured throughout the military installations of the United States and overseas locations since 1979, which all started with South Korea. This year’s stop is no exception as the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders entertained Servicemembers and their families for the Christmas holiday season while visiting at Collier Fitness Center, Garrison Yongsan, Dec. 26.
“I love being able to come overseas to Korea and support the Troops. It’s just a small way of us showing our appreciation for what the Troops are over here doing,” said DCC squad member Trisha Trevino. “We understand the sacrifices that you all make and it’s really cool that we’re in a position where we can wear the Cowboys’ Cheerleaders uniform and bring the brand over here. It puts us in a position to be able to travel and actually make an impact when we arrive and we meet the Troops, when we talk to them, when we perform for them.”
Before the founding of the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders (DCC), the football team’s cheer squad was a male-female group called CowBelles & Beaux in 1960. The squad was made up of local high school students. At the time cheerleading was a rookie sport of exhorting the audience to show support for a team.
“This is my very first USO tour, my first time to Korea, my first time overseas – first time everything pretty much,” smiled DCC squad member Sydney Durso. “I’m so excited. So far the experience has been amazing. The girls have been asking me ‘is it what you thought?’ Honestly, I couldn’t even imagine what it was going to be like and it’s just blown me away on how amazing it’s been so far. Hopefully, I’ll be able to visit again after this. I don’t want this to be the last time. I’ve had so many great experiences so far I would like to just keep adding to that.”
“Well being away from my family – we discussed that we’re going to celebrate Christmas when I get back – so I’ve emotionally prepared myself not to get sad. I know all the Soldiers that are away from their families so much longer than we are on this trip so it meant more for me to come here and visit them and to put smiles on their faces because I know that my family will be there with Christmas when I get home. I mean, it’s actually starting to settle in right now actually, that Christmas is almost over in my hometown. But it’s okay I’m in a great mood and I’m happy to be performing tonight,” said Durso.
Everywhere across the country or around the world that any of these ladies appear, people congregate looking for the opportunity for a photograph, an autograph, or a few moments to say hello.
“Everyone wants to make a difference and everyone wants to show their appreciation,” Trevino smiled. “It’s really cool that the DCC organization and the USO have given us that opportunity to come overseas and we can actually do it. We can actually make a difference, put smiles on their faces and really does mean a lot to us like when we sit one-on-one with the different military men and women and we learn about them. I love coming over here and meeting them and learning their stories. It’s just a really cool way that we can give back to them. It’s so small compared to what you all do for us over here.”
“This is my sixth year as a Dallas Cowboys Cheerleader and my fourth time to Korea,” added Trevino. “It’s definitely hard to be away from our families during the holidays but we also understand that the Troops are away from their families at home for every single day of the year. We all make sacrifices and adjustments at home. Like my family celebrated Christmas before I left and it is hard, we’re all human and we like to be with our families over Christmas. But it also really helps whenever we can visit the Troops and their thanking us, overly thanking us for being here. It really helps us to be able to be away from our families because we can hang out with you all. You guys make us feel so appreciated. It definitely helps.”
Prior to the performance the cheerleaders hung out with the youth cheerleaders from Yongsan for a workshop. They also signed autographs and took pictures with Servicemembers and their families after the show.
As the saying goes, “They are often imitated… never equaled… They are the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders!”
