The Associated Press
IRONTON, Ohio - While entertaining U.S. troops in Europe, members of the Cincinnati Bengals cheerleading squad took rides in Black Hawk helicopters and target practice with military rifles.
But the most memorable part of the trip was the soldiers' emotional response during the squad's routine to patriotic songs, said Christi Ray of Ironton, one of the 12 cheerleaders chosen for the USO Tour.
The cheerleaders perform to country and rock 'n' roll songs, but the last section is patriotic music.
"The soldiers were really going wild until we came to that section. Then they got real quiet," Ray said. "When we got to the part where we spelled USA, they were all chanting U-S-A, U-S-A."
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