John Travolta: 'We Know That We Are Loved'

By Mike Fleeman

11/21/2009 at 03:40 PM EST

In an emotional appearance in his adopted hometown, John Travolta and his family thanked their Florida neighbors for their support after the death of son Jett.

"It's meant the world to us," Travolta, 55, told the crowd Friday night at the Ocala, Fla., premiere of his film Old Dogs, according to the Ocala Star-Banner. "We know that we have a community. We know that we have friends. And we know that we are loved. We appreciate it. Jett appreciates it. We love you, Ocala."

Joining the actor at the premiere were wife Kelly Preston and 9-year-old daughter Ella Bleu, who appears in the film along with her parents.

The Travoltas, who live just north of Ocala, also appeared at a private fundraising gala for local charities, including the Jett Travolta Foundation.

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