USO group visits servicemembers in Southwest Asia

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Jason Barebo
  • 379th Air Expeditionary Wing Public Affairs
SOUTHWEST ASIA (AFPN) --  More than 3,000 U.S. and coalition forces servicemembers were treated to a United Service Organizations show featuring Lance Armstrong, Lewis Black, Kid Rock, Robin Williams and Miss USA Rachel Smith Dec. 17 in Southwest Asia.

Brig. Gen. Charles W. Lyon, the 379th Air Expeditionary Wing commander, welcomed the entertainers and thanked them for coming to entertain the troops.

The show began with Miss Smith speaking to all in attendance and thanking servicemembers for their sacrifice, especially during the holiday season. She also tossed souvenirs out to the crowd.

Mr. Black followed Miss Smith on stage with a stand-up act drawing laughter from the crowd. While entertaining the troops, Mr. Black thanked everyone for their service and reminded them that America supports them.

Next on stage was Mr. Armstrong, who said that while many look at him and call him a hero for all that he has been through and accomplished, the real heroes are military servicemembers.

"We are all so excited to be here," Mr. Armstrong said. "I am personally excited to be here to share my appreciation and not just on behalf of myself, but on behalf of my family, my children, my community and the state of Texas. Thank you all. You're the real heroes."

Mr. Armstrong handed the floor over to Mr. Williams who drew even more laughter from the already ecstatic crowd with his own brand of stand-up comedy.

"We send a lot of love from people back home," Mr. Williams said.

Mr. Williams then handed the stage to Kid Rock, who played several songs for the crowd and finished the USO show with his rendition of "Sweet Home Alabama."

The performance was great especially for this time of year, said Senior Airman Nick Delaney of the 379th Expeditionary Medical Group. Airman Delaney is deployed here from Whiteman Air Force Base, Mo.

"Sometimes it gets lonely here thinking about our families so far away back home," he said. "This show was a huge morale boost for myself and probably everyone on base."

"It was cool to see that they were very down to earth and took time out of their lives to come see and entertain us," said Army Sgt. Joshua Allen, deployed here from Fort Bliss, Texas. "This visit was very exciting after being here for so long. It was a wonderful change of pace too."

This was the first of five shows in Southwest Asia for the group.

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