The popular Sesame Street Experience for Military Families tour is nearing its end, but the show will go on if Sloan Gibson has his way.

Gibson, who took over the presidency of the U.S.O. in September, announced Tuesday plans to continue the show next year and expand it to travel to more bases in the U.S., Europe and Asia.

“We still have some fundraising to do, but I’m committed to it, as I told the audience today,” he said. Sloan appeared with Sesame Street Workshop CEO Gary Knell before the morning performance at Fort Belvoir. About 700 people, children and adults, attended the event.

The live muppet show is similar to the Broadway show, Sesame Street Live, but with a smaller cast and songs tailored for children of military families. In one song, You Make Elmo Proud, the red muppet praises kids for helping their parents and being strong when one parent is away.

“I’ve seen grown men in full uniform grab their kids and tears well up in their eyes,” said Glen Taylor, Assistant Company Manager, who has been traveling with the tour since it began in July.

The show accompanies the Emmy nominated DVD series, Talk, Listen, Connect, that helps families cope with deployed parents.

“When my husband was in Iraq, we watched it almost every day,” said Kelly Stobie who attended the show with her two-year-old daughter, Katherine Grace.

Sloan said the response to the Sesame Street Experience has been very positive.

“Just go to the front row and look back at the faces of the children and the parents," Sloan said. "That’s all the feedback you need to know how important this is.”

This year’s tour has already visited 36 bases in the U.S. Upcoming performances include:

· Andrews Air Force Base, October 16-17· Fort Dix, October 18· Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, October 23-24· Pittsburgh JARS, October 26· Fort Drum, October 28-29· Fort Scott, November 2