MARINE CORPS AIR STATION IWAKUNI, Japan -- The National Football League All-Star Cheerleaders took time out before the start of the regular season to pay Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni residents a visit Aug. 10-11.
The cheerleaders' stop here was part of a 12-day tour of military installations across the Pacific Theater to show their support of service members and their families serving overseas.
"We want to show our appreciation for all the U.S. troops overseas and the hard work they do for our country," said Heidi Laroche, New England Patriots cheerleader.
The cheerleaders signed autographs at the main gym and put on a show at the Club Iwakuni Ballroom for Marines, Sailors and their families.
"We hold cheerleading clinics for the children on the military bases too," said Laroche. "We were thrilled to get a chance to see the Iwakuni cheerleaders perform for us. They seemed really excited to have us as their audience."
While they were here, the All-Star cheerleaders also visited the Single Marine Program and had their photographs taken with some of the Marine Attack Squadron 214 aircraft and pilots.
"We've really enjoyed the entire tour and every place we've visited has had something special that we'll always remember," said Laroche.
Michele Steptoe-Clark, NFL All-Star Cheerleaders coordinator, said she couldn't agree more.
"This is my second trip to Japan and it has just been great," said Steptoe-Clark. "I was a Saint Louis Rams cheerleader for seven years and getting the chance to be coordinator for this tour was a real blessing."
One of the greatest rewards of these trips is to see the excitement in the children who have hopes of cheering themselves one day, noted Steptoe-Clark.
"We like to encourage people, especially kids, to go after whatever they believe in or have a passion for," said Steptoe-Clark. "They need to know that what they strive for is possible and within their reach."
The tours also help quell some of the common misconceptions about professional cheerleaders as well, according to Laroche.
"A lot of people think that NFL cheerleaders just cheer at the games, but we really do much more than just that," said Laroche. "We only cheer at about 10 games a season. The rest of the time we're out working with the community."
With the NFL preseason already in full swing and the regular season approaching fast, the cheerleaders received a warm welcome for their visit.
"It was great to see these ladies in person," said Sgt. William Cashmore, Headquarters and Headquarters Squadron administrative training chief. "I got them to autograph my hat as a keepsake. I can't think of a better way to start off the football season."