WEBVTT

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- The main purpose of our tour

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is to celebrate

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with the Ukrainian people

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their independence.

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Us being here, I think,

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reinforces how our nations

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feels very strongly
about our relationship,

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the importance that we have,

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that we value.

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Our ability to stand together,

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side by side, as any challenge comes.

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Obviously, we're hoping for a peaceful

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and secure Europe.

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Music is one of those

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expressions

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of the soul that crosses

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all kind of boundaries,

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and so, I think, for me,

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music of freedom is about

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expressing the heart of a people,

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where they have maybe been oppressed,

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or they have felt struggle,

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and they have been able to express that

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through music.

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So, being able to come
to a place like Ukraine,

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where struggle continues,

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and we can play some of the music

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that is near and dear to their heart.

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I think that's a way of expressing

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our common bond with one another,

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where we both, and we all,

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all over the world, right?

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We long for the same things.

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I really hope the people of Ukraine

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will sense

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the solidarity

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that the United States has with them.

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As members of the

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U.S. military,

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we travel all over Europe and Africa,

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and we don't just represent our unit.

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Of course, we represent the Air Force,

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but oftentimes we're
representing our nation,

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and it's an opportunity for us to show

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each different country the,

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how much we value the relationship

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that we have with them.

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So, that's what I would want the people

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of Ukraine to take away,

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is that they know and understand and feel

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in a way that's maybe pretty
visceral and emotional

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in a way that lasts maybe longer

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than a talking point,

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where they really know and understand

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that we stand shoulder
to shoulder with them.

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The USAFE Band is honored to travel

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all throughout Europe and Africa.

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We have over 400 performances a year,

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and each location that we go,

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our presence is a response of our nation,

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to say we are standing with you

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that our friendship matters

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that common bond of

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of longing for freedom

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or sovereignty states, sovereignty,

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the importance of each nation to be able

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to determine its own way ahead.

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Those are the things that I think

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our presence can represent
in a particular country.

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I think the master classes are one of the

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best things that we do.

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If you've gotten a
chance to experience it,

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you see just the people come alive.

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It's that person-to-person connection

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that it's impossible to recreate on stage.

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You know, we're a little bit removed

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from the audience when we're on stage,

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but in a master class,

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we're right up close and personal,

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and so, working with the youth,

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talking to them about music,

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talking to them about their culture,

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getting a chance to
answer their questions,

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and share some of the things that we value

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as military members

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as citizens of the United States,

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and as a people with common values,

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those are really exciting,

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and seeing their eyes light up,

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and how they, maybe
something clicks for them.

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You know, they weren't quite
sure how to do something,

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or maybe they're a
little shy and reserved,

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but our airmen are so amazing

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at being old to

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help them to relax and to be able

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to come in and feel part of something

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that's maybe a little bit
bigger than themselves.

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And then you see that
inspiration, the light going on,

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and so many of them say afterwards

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how inspired they were

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and motivated to continue.