Stars tour Iraq for holidays

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. A.C. Eggman
  • 332nd Air Expeditionary Wing Detachment 1 Public Affairs
Airmen and soldiers crowded the only hangar here Dec. 17 in hopes of capturing a glimpse of the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and several entertainers who were traveling throughout Iraq.

Gen. Richard Myers brought with him Academy Award winning actor and comedian Robin Williams, Olympic gold medalist and professional wrestler Kurt Angle, NASCAR driver Mike Wallace, and former model and television personality Leeann Tweeden.

“We’re here for one reason,” Myers said. “We’re here to wish you happy holidays.”

Myers is taking the United Service Organizations-sponsored entertainers throughout the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility.

The general wasted no time in thanking the troops for their part in capturing Saddam Hussein. He said the capture will have symbolic and substantial effects on Iraq and throughout the world.

“Through your efforts over here, you have given hope to 25 million folks in this land,” Myers said. “You have given them real hope -- hope for freedom, for prosperity. Nobody has been able to give them that for decades. That’s going to make a difference not only (in Iraq) but in the region, perhaps the world. This is your moment in history, and you’ve taken advantage of it and you have performed superbly.”

The general also warned the eager crowd that there were still challenges to be faced.

“I know where it all starts,” Myers said. “Anytime you undertake any combat operations or humanitarian operations or any time of crisis response, it all starts with the support you provide. You are the backbone of being able to do things further in the field.”

The success of any mission is based on the support from behind the lines and how well those servicemembers perform, he told the audience.

“We thank you for what you do, day-in and day-out, supporting those out there,” he said. “We thank you for all the support that comes out of this great base.”

After a late arrival, the general quickly introduced Tweeden, whose father was in the Air Force.

“Growing up in a household like that, I really learned what it meant to be an American, to be a patriot,” she said. It was Tweeden’s fifth USO tour and her first at a forward-deployed location.

“We realize the freedoms we have in the greatest country in the world,” she said. “When you get older, you realize how blessed we are with what we have. If it wasn’t for all you (people) serving in uniform and those who served before you, we wouldn’t live in the (great) land that we do.”

Tweeden told the audience she knew morale was important and that it is difficult to be away from friends and family during the holidays, but she wanted to assure the troops their efforts were not forgotten and were appreciated.

“The least I could do is come here and say ‘thank you’ and tell you the folks back home, no matter what you hear on the news, ... really do support you,” she said. “And we want you to come home. The sooner, the better.”

Following Tweeden, Angle and Wallace also paid tribute to the men and women in uniform before the lead performer took stage.

"Goooood afternoon, Balad!" screamed Williams, playing on words from his 1987 hit movie, “Good Morning, Vietnam.” Williams took the stage and delivered a barrage of comedy, including spoofs about Hussein, Osama Bin Laden and nonalcoholic beverages.

The group of entertainers also threw hats and T-shirts into the crowd during Williams’ performance. Capping off a nearly 50-minute performance, Williams invited the crowd on stage to take group photographs and receive autographs before leaving for another stop in the tour.

The USO show is touring U.S. bases throughout Iraq. The chairman said he expects the group will meet and talk with up to 30,000 American servicemembers during its visit to the region.