Christi Ray and the Cincinnati Bengals cheerleaders know how to put on a show, but nothing like the one they witnessed.

Ray traveled with 11 Bengal cheerleaders as members of the USO Tour from March 8-22 in Europe. The group did a two-hour show each night consisting of five different sections. The performances were met with great enthusiasm by the American soldiers stationed overseas.

But it was the response to their final routine that showed Ray and the others the great admiration and respect the soldiers have for their country and those they are trying to free from the Saddam Hussein's reign of terror.

Ray said the cheerleaders do routines paying tribute to the Bengals with songs like "Eye of the Tiger" and "Welcome to the Jungle," followed by a military section, Rock 'N Roll and country music.

The fifth section was a patriotic theme that had the cheerleaders using red, white and blue pompoms with songs such as "Only in America" ringing in the background.

"The soldiers were really going wild until we came to that section. Then they got real quiet," Ray said. "You could look out and see the pride in the soldiers' eyes.

"We were doing a chorus line, and I see a huge American flag painted on the wall, and the men were standing and clapping and their eyes were gleaming with pride. When we got to the part where we spelled "USA," they were all chanting 'U-S-A, U-S-A.' I've performed before thousands at Paul Brown Stadium and there was never a response like we got. I've never seen that kind of emotion. Words can't describe it."

While people are expressing pro-America and anti-war sentiments across the world, Ray said the soldiers are committed to the task at hand.

"There wasn't one soldier who didn't want to fight. They were all totally committed to what they had been trained to do. And I've never been around so many gentlemen in my life. They were never out of line and they treated us like royalty," Ray said.

Ray visited such places as Kosovo, Bosnia, Australia, France and Croatia. She said the trip was entertaining, educational and a little scary.

"It was a really exciting trip. We were going to perform for the troops to boost their morale, but it didn't really hit me until we got there," Ray said.

"It was the best experience of my life. I'd go back in a heartbeat. They've already asked us back in August. They're the most responsive and appreciative audiences I've ever experienced. I was lucky to be selected. They only took 12 girls, and I'm a rookie."

She said the soldiers really enjoyed the country music routine where the cheerleaders wore cowboy boots, cowboy hats and Daisy Mae style shorts.

"That one turned out to be the soldiers favorite one. I'll never forget the last show in Hungary and the music kind of faded and you could hear them singing (to Garth Brooks' hit) "I've Got Friends in Low Places." The lighting was different and you could see the faces of the soldiers, and they were all mouthing the words. I almost lost it. It was emotional," Ray said.

There was one skit Ray didn't like because she had to revive her baton twirling days as a majorette at Ironton High School.

"I really hated that skit. I had to borrow a uniform from Ironton and twirl a baton. It's been a while since I've done that. I was out of practice," Ray said with a laugh.

With the trip completed, Ray is turning full attention toward her job as a math teacher at Green High School. She said that her math degree led to an usual conversation with a colonel who also had a math background. Later in the day she was presented with a Medal of Excellence as a gift.

"Some of the soldiers said that is the ultimate gift you can give a civilian," Ray said.

During the trip, the cheerleaders got a chance to ride in a Blackhawk helicopter.

"One morning in Kosovo we got a knock at the door and some soldiers ask if we wanted a ride in a Blackhawk, so we rode around in a Blackhawk all day," Ray said.

The soldiers also let the women drive different vehicles such as tanks and they got a chance to shoot several weapons like an M-16 rifle.

"I had pretty good aim, better than most of them. But my arm is still sore," Ray said.

Many people in foreign countries dislike or don't trust the soldiers. However, she said it is a different story with the children.

"The older people are set in their thinking. The younger children would run to the soldiers, and they would stop and give them candy and take time with them. They're trying to win them over, and it's working. They're very happy we're there," Ray said.

The soldiers accompanied the cheerleaders at all times which gave the women peace of mind. Ray is happy to be home, but she said her life has been changed forever.

"I have a whole different outlook on life," Ray said. "I came back with a much greater respect of our nation and our president and what they're doing."

The trip was featured earlier this week on ABC's "Good Morning, America!" show.