Hundreds of excited children and their servicemember parents eagerly gathered outside the Timmerman Center at Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, New Jersey, on January 11. The highly anticipated reason? A special visit from the iCarly cast and an exclusive preview of their latest episode. Over 700 tickets, distributed through unit leadership on a first-come, first-served basis, ensured that everyone who wanted to attend this memorable event could get a seat.
As families streamed into the center, the atmosphere buzzed with excitement. Attendees were greeted with popcorn and glow sticks, setting the stage for a fun-filled screening of “iMeet the First Lady,” a special episode featuring a guest appearance by Michelle Obama. This visit to the joint base marked the final stop on a three-part tour of military installations, a heartfelt initiative by the iCarly cast to express their sincere gratitude to the children of military families.
“This is truly our way of giving back and saying thank you to the servicemembers and their families,” shared Nathan Kress, known to fans as Freddie Benson on the show. “We also want to express our deep appreciation for their incredible support. Growing up in a military family requires immense courage and strength, and we wanted to acknowledge that.”
Before the screening commenced, DJ J Boogie, the iCarly disc jockey, took to the stage to energize the already enthusiastic crowd. He encouraged “random dancing,” a playful nod to a recurring theme in the iCarly series, and engaged the children in lively group participation games. The anticipation reached fever pitch as the children waited for the iCarly cast to make their appearance.
The moment the iCarly cast stepped onto the stage, a wave of ecstatic cheers erupted from the children, so loud it left some parents momentarily hard of hearing. One by one, the cast members introduced themselves, explaining the heartfelt reason behind their visit to Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst. “When I first learned that we would be doing an episode specifically dedicated to the families of servicemembers, I was incredibly excited,” said Jennette McCurdy, beloved for her role as Sam Puckett.
As the stars concluded their introductions and exited the stage, the screening of “iMeet the First Lady” began. The episode poignantly highlights the bond between Carly, played by Miranda Cosgrove, and her father, an Air Force colonel deployed overseas. Carly’s disappointment at her father’s absence on his birthday is softened by her supportive friends who help her connect with him through a webcast. The episode culminates in a heartwarming moment when the First Lady, Michelle Obama, joins their webcast, recognizing and celebrating the strength of military families.
“My absolute favorite part of the episode was the segment with the First Lady,” exclaimed 9-year-old Paris, daughter of Tech. Sgt. William Lloyd, 87th Air Base Wing knowledge operations manager. “I truly believe it’s so important to have good friends who support you.”
Following the screening, the iCarly cast returned to the stage for an engaging question and answer session. Children had submitted questions prior to the event, and one curious question prompted McCurdy to showcase her special talent. Grabbing the microphone, she launched into a freestyle rap, expressing her genuine thanks to the JB MDL community for hosting them.
The memorable day concluded with a lucky few children getting the chance to have their photos taken with the iCarly cast, creating lasting memories of this special event.
“It’s truly humbling that they thank us,” McCurdy reflected, “but we are undoubtedly the ones who should be expressing our deepest gratitude to them.”
