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Post by grant on Apr 17, 2010 13:37:54 GMT
Hello everyone
I think we have to remember that this is not a 'one off'. Hayley has taken on the role of "Forces Songbird" with the support and encouragement of one of the greatest iconic ladies of all times - Dame Vera Lynn.
Hayley will not have accepted this role lightly - that is not her way. She's already made her feelings clear about the sacrifices made by "our boys" (and I mean by that all friendly forces) and will want to feel that she is worthy of such an honour being bestowed upon her.
This is, I'm certain, a career thing for Hayley and we will no doubt see more visits to war zones in the future. She is in my thoughts and prayers every day whether she is in Afghanistan; flying around the world; on stage performing for us or simply shopping in town.
I'm not sure we should keep the dangerous side of Hayley's career in the limelight so to speak - maybe the mods should consider locking this thread for now and only add 'official' items until such time that we know she is safely home.
Best wishes
Grant
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Post by Richard on Apr 17, 2010 13:46:07 GMT
Hello Grant.
It's highly unlikely that we will hear any more about Hayley's visit to Afghanistan until she returns, so I've locked the thread for the moment while we discuss your suggestion within the Management Team.
I've also hidden the news item on our new website while we decide.
Richard
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Dave
Administrator
HWI Admin
Posts: 7,699
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Post by Dave on Apr 19, 2010 0:27:36 GMT
Hello everyone,
We've had a chat about this thread and I've now reopened it for discussion - but no details of, or speculation about, the timing of Hayley's proposed visit will be allowed other than "Later this year" as stated in the Daily Mail article.
Also, while it's understandable that some members are concerned for Hayley's health and safety, as expressed in some of the posts above, it's reasonable to assume that the professionals who will organise this visit do know what they are doing. I'm sure that if it's deemed too risky at the time, it won't go ahead - so please, let's try to stay positive about it from now on. Thanks!
Dave
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Post by larryhauck on Apr 19, 2010 2:09:18 GMT
Hi All
Anyone who has been deployed overseas understands how great it is to see celebrities when deployed. Many years ago I was on board the USS Forrestal in the Mediterranean at Christmas time. We were in port at Naples Italy and Bob Hope brought his troop of entertainers including Les Brown and his band and a bevy of beauties.
I'll never forget how thrilled everyone including myself was to be entertained. It really raised the morale and made Christmas away from home more tolerable.
So Hayley deserves the praise of all for making this selfless effort to bring some well deserved happiness to so many deserving men and women.
Larry
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Post by Libby on Apr 19, 2010 4:41:08 GMT
I wonder if the unwitting guitarist will be AJ Moore? Ha ha, I can imagine it now. Hayley calls up and says, 'Hey, Andy, want to accompany be on an international gig?'  It must be him. Since he plays for her concerts pretty regularly, he's the only one she could really call "my guitarist." It sounds like the troops will be getting a wonderful show, but I'll be worrying about her and praying for her (and Andy too, of course!). Do you think she'll put on some Kevlar under her dress? I hope?  Martin, I don't think it makes any difference whether you pray now, or when she's there. Just pray anytime you think of it. It may still be months from now, though. This may be yet another reason for pushing the release of her album to later in the year than we might have hoped. But probably it'll be mostly recorded by then. |
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Post by Richard on Apr 19, 2010 9:16:30 GMT
Hello folks!  Following our discussions, I've now reinstated the news item on our new website.  Richard  |
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Post by chrisw on Jun 17, 2010 6:53:43 GMT
Hi All Anyone who has been deployed overseas understands how great it is to see celebrities when deployed. Many years ago I was on board the USS Forrestal in the Mediterranean at Christmas time. We were in port at Naples Italy and Bob Hope brought his troop of entertainers including Les Brown and his band and a bevy of beauties. I'll never forget how thrilled everyone including myself was to be entertained. It really raised the morale and made Christmas away from home more tolerable. So Hayley deserves the praise of all for making this selfless effort to bring some well deserved happiness to so many deserving men and women. Larry Just to drop a comment into this; the kind of tour that Hayley and others are doing in Afghan is totally different to what the American forces have put on for them. It is seen as more of a publicity event for the people back home, to raise awareness of the human side of the war than for those out there. Most of the time, there are very few people who know about this more than a few days in advance - other than those organising it. They usually end up announcing it so that anyone who isn't on duty at the time can attend, and then grab a few people for a photo shoot. Nothing against people like Hayley, but it's not the kind of music that most people want out there, and it's not the kind of event that most squaddies will even see.. It really is about raising the profile of the troops back home more than anything. Chris |
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Post by stevemacdonald on Jun 17, 2010 17:04:26 GMT
... Nothing against people like Hayley, but it's not the kind of music that most people want out there... I've wondered about that myself. It's a combat zone where people have to be on their toes and stay ready to join the battle. A soft, soothing voice like Hayley's might induce a more passive and tranquil feeling in the listener, and that could be problematic. I'm sure the troops would prefer something edgier for that reason alone. |
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Post by Libby on Jun 18, 2010 5:52:11 GMT
I would think that any musical performance would be a welcome distraction from their far-from-pleasant duties, and that feeling tranquil would be somewhat of a good thing, since they're under so much stress. When you look at it from a mental/spiritual health perspective, it would be anything but problematic. Calming the nerves might help you feel more refreshed afterwards. Being constantly edge won't necessarily prevent you from being tired. That seems more exhausting to me. But if they aren't on duty, why is it so bad? Please excuse my ignorance of combat/military stuff.
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Post by chrisw on Jun 21, 2010 8:41:20 GMT
It's not so much that you're constantly on edge. Things are just different out there.. you tend to tune out what you don't need, but you do have time to relax. The guys have laptops, dvds, music and internet access, and on some camps, even alcohol. The American camps are all dry though - except for the ones that we were smuggling it into in return for decent food and better looking women  A lot of the people just don't listen to classical music, or if they do, they keep it fairly quiet among the ranks as they'll have the mickey taken out of them. That's the point that I was making more than anything. You're more likely to find that the officers would appreciate it - but the same officers would prefer to have their troops entertained rather than themselves. The British camps don't really do the whole "music in the warzone" thing that the US troops do. It's more likely to be the odd comedian, page 3 "model" or a movie night. I have to admit that I never went to any of them during my tours in Iraq, but then again, they didn't really travel out to the holes I found myself buried in.. |
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