Justin Timberlake Keeps Promise, Attends Marine Corps Ball

By all accounts, Justin Timberlake had a great time attending the Marine Corps Ball with Cpl. Kelsey De Santis. The pair shared a dance and spent the rest of the night talking and partying with her friends. Reports are that Timberlake posed for pictures with attendees and generally appeared to be having fun throughout the evening.

The Sexy Back star also posted some comments on the evening on his website, which were greatly appreciated by De Santis and the other Marines in attendance. "What I didn't know was how moved I would be by the whole experience," Timberlake posted on his website. He went on to explain how important it is to express gratitude for the sacrifices made by the men and women who protect the freedom enjoyed by all Americans.

"I say: Send your thanks. Do it however you can. Write a letter, type an email... Hell, buy 'em a beer next time you run into someone from our Armed Forces in a bar. When they say thank you for that drink that cost you 3 bucks, they'll mean it. They won't take it for granted and, they won't forget it."

De Santis noted in an interview with The Today Show that Timberlake appeared to be genuinely moved by the event and the military personnel in attendance. Timberlake continued with his commentary on his website, thanking De Santis for inviting him and referring to her specifically as "my hero."

And while it's pretty easy to take a cynical view of Timberlake's participation in the event, the fact remains that he didn't have to do it. He easily could have shrugged off the initial invitation. And he also could have simply attended for a few minutes and left with an entourage. He did neither and he went further by posting heartfelt comments about the night on his website, which he knows will be viewed by millions of his fans.