Bon Jovi guitar-slinger Richie Sambora hosted a special event at Camp Pendleton Marine Base to bring the gift of music –Voyage-Air acoustic guitars, which are full-size guitars that fold in half and fit in a special backpack that can be taken into the field.

Richie had purchased 100 Voyage-Air traveling guitars for US fighting forces and held the special event at Camp Pendleton Marine Base, near San Diego, to personally present seven guitars to troops. As a special thank you, Richie gave an impromptu performance of classic Bon Jovi tunes, “Wanted Dead Or Alive” and “Livin’ On A Prayer.”

Following his performance, he passed the mic to two marines from the audience who joined Richie on-stage and even showed off their guitar skills. “Our freedom is big-time cool,” said Richie.

Sgt. David Vizcaino said: “It just boosted morale here. (Sambora) came on his own free will. Nobody does that around here.”

Added Sgt. Brian Mullen: “For him to come out and give us a guitar…That’s amazing. I mean, to do something so small, maybe to him, is something so big to us.”

The event was a culmination of a four-month campaign with the United States Marine Corps. Thousands of service men and women around the world entered to win one of the 100 guitars. Winers were chosen at random. One lucky winner in Stuttgardt, Germany was even brought to see a live Bon Jovi show in Mannheim.

Thank you Richie!