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The concert and comedy show is designed to raise awareness about the prevention of sexual assault and harassment among Soldiers and military family members.
“I love to meet these men and women face to face and shake their hands and look right into their eyes and just thank them for all they have done for us,” said Jones, who will be joined on the tour by hip-hop band Animate Objects, professional comedians and Soldier talent. “We are so, so lucky to have them in our lives, so to be able to do a small thing like this is a big deal.”
The Army G-1 presentation, produced by the Army Entertainment Division of the Family, Morale, Welfare and Recreation Command, is dedicated to eliminating sexual assault.
The I. A.M. Strong acronym stands for intervene, act and motivate others to stop sexual harassment, assaults and sexually offensive language, innuendo and gestures that create an environment friendly to abuse. Toleration of these acts among troops has been reduced to zero, Army leaders said.
The entertainment tour was designed to help military communitiy members realize:
l When recognizing a threat to fellow Soldiers, have the personal courage to intervene and prevent sexual assault, condemn acts of sexual harassment and don’t abide obscene gestures, language or behavior.
l Soldiers should think, “You are my brother, my sister, my fellow Soldier. It is my duty to stand up for you, no matter the time or place. I will take action. I will do what’s right. I will prevent sexual harassment and assault. I will not tolerate sexually offensive behavior. I will act.”
l Soldiers must be motivated to keep fellow Soldiers safe. It is their mission to prevent sexual harassment and assault. They must denounce sexual misconduct.
Jones’ album, “Music in My Soul,” features “Free Fall,” a song that addresses the Army’s message by telling the tale of a friend who stands her ground against being subjected to her boyfriend’s demands.
“We want to encourage people to be strong,” Jones said. “We want to encourage the prevention of suicide and sexual harassment. We hear that’s a big thing among Soldiers, which is such a shame. We just want people to stay positive.”
“Just being able to go on any kind of a tour is absolutely incredible,” she said. “It is just more than rewarding for me to be able to give something back to these men and women who are giving so much of their lives for us. It’s such a humbling experience. There is no other place that I’d rather be singing. It just touches my heart and is so rewarding.”
Jones will perform, followed by a meet-and-greet autograph signing/photo session with attendees. She also will visit dining facilities to have lunch, interact and sign autographs until the last Soldier leaves.
“Beyond the entertainment, I love just hanging,” Jones said. “I love to get a feel for their personalities and just hang out, have a good time, and let them know that we’re real people and we go through ups and downs just like they do. You’ve just got to be positive through it all.
“They are away from their families, and when we’re on the road, we get lonely. But we really have no idea what they go through. I have this song called “Cold in L.A.,” and some of the Soldiers were from California. It was really good to just get a feel for the actual human being behind this huge force.”
“I’m just grateful, thankful and I’m humbled to be a part of such a huge movement with this I. A.M. Strong Tour,” Jones said. “This is going to touch a lot of peoples’ lives, and I’m so blessed to be a part of it.”
