USO show brings laughter south of 'No Smile Line'

  • Published
  • By Jim Garamone
  • American Forces Press Service
CAMP CASEY, South Korea (AFPN) --  Soldiers and Airmen laughed and roared on the wrong side of the "No Smile Line" as they watched United Service Organization shows here Aug. 22.

The shows -- one here and one at nearby Osan Air Base -- were part of chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Richard B. Myers' assessment of troop morale worldwide, and Leeann Tweeden, Gale Sayers, Jeff Ross and Colin Quinn ensured the troops had fun.

Camp Casey, about 12 miles south of the Demilitarized Zone, is the headquarters of the 2nd Infantry Division. Soldier myth has it that the area was a "No Smile" zone because the division's mission -- to deter North Korean aggression -- was such serious business.

Earlier in the day, the general and the USO troupe visited Airmen at Osan. More than 1,000 Airmen came to a hangar to watch the show and meet the performers and Gen. Myers.

The show is an attempt to thank them for their service and their sacrifices, Gen. Myers said.

The general told the Airmen and Soldiers that America has always depended on the dedication of its military. Referencing the recent Revolutionary War novel "1776," he praised the way ordinary Americans rose to the challenge of battle even at the nation's beginning.

General Myers ceded the stage to Ms. Tweeden. A sportscaster and model, this is her seventh USO trip. She is also the host of "NASCAR Nation" on the Speed Channel.

She introduced Mr. Sayers, NFL Hall of Fame running back, who spoke to the Airmen and Soldiers of the importance of teamwork. Reflecting on his storied Chicago Bears career, he said that winning individual records is not possible without the contributions of everyone on the team. Mr. Sayers thanked the servicemembers for what they do to protect America and the world.

Following Mr. Sayers was Mr. Ross, a comedian on his second USO tour. He captured his first outing on video and produced a feature film from it called "Patriot Act." The film won best picture at the Montreal Comedy Festival.

Mr. Quinn, best known for his work on "Saturday Night Live" and MTV, closed the show. His comedy renditions included imitations of British soldiers. One of his routines likens the situation in the Middle East to a bar fight.

South Korea was the latest stop in the chairman's tour. He has already visited Germany, Kosovo, Kuwait, Iraq, the USS Nimitz in the Persian Gulf, Djibouti and Afghanistan.

"This proves there's no such thing as the ‘No Smile Line,’ don't you think," said Army Maj. Gen. George Higgins, 2nd Infantry Division commander.