The scene was not unusual for an opening night at the MGM Grand on Thursday. Tom was looking good, trim, healthy and elegant in black. There was a good crowd, there was the usual audience member who — loud and demanding — tried to be the show. There was the usual set let.

What was unusual was the presence of Sgt. Deborah Galan in the audience.

We’ve met Deborah before on this site. A fan, she had posted a comment in April and we began corresponding with her. For Tom’s June 7 birthday, we asked you to send donations to Operation Care, the charity our soldiers in Afghanistan started to provide essentials for Afghani children near their post in Baghram.

When we first corresponded, Deborah said she’d like to acquire a mission flag for Tom. This is an American flag flown in combat and the presentation of one is considered quite an honor for the recipient.

Well, last night, home in Las Vegas on leave from Afghanistan, Deborah made her presentation to Sir Tom Jones.

The American flag, tightly folded into a triangle, came with three certificates, each attesting to part of the flag’s history. It had flown on seven missions, including rescue and recovery missions and search and rescue missions. Each pilot signed the appropriate certificate.

Also presented was a photo on a certificate showing the flag flying on the base. It had flown for 9 hours and 11 minutes.

Deborah also gave Tom a pair of cuff links she had made for him out of London Blue topaz.

She presented the flag backstage after the show (see photo) but, during the show, she made a deep impression on us.

Sitting with Deborah — and her mother Ramona and brother David — the point was driven home with great clarity how we all can listen to Tom sing and, of course, hear the words but not necessarily absorb them. Yes, when he sings Green Green Grass of Home, those of us who are living far from the place we consider our home may get a bit wistful. And of course, it’s always interesting to see the Welsh people in the audience react to the song as if it were written by a Welshman specifically about Wales. But, in truth, nothing prepared us for Deborah’s response last night.

No drama, no noise. Sgt. Deborah Galan just quietly wept through the entire song — so happy to be home and, having seen so much death and destruction, deeply appreciating what we have here.

Support of the war is immaterial when we realize how we love and support our troops and, in fact, how lucky we are to have them.

Deborah who, when she can, performs as a Selena impersonator, is returning to Afghanistan on August 12. Before she goes there will be a big party in her honor but, then, it’s back to a place where her warmth and generosity of spirit mean so much. If you’d like to help Operation Care, you can send packages of children’s clothing and toys to: Sgt. Deborah P. Galen, 382nd MP Detachment Law & Order, Bagram APO AE09354 or you can email her at deborah.p.galan@afghan.swa.army.mil.

We wish her the very best — a safe journey and a joyous return home.