Balad Airmen welcome USO tour

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Ryan Hansen
  • 332nd Air Expeditionary Wing Public Affairs
BALAD AIR BASE, Iraq (AFPN) --  Troops from here and Logistics Support Area Anaconda were treated to an early Christmas present Dec. 14.

The United Service Organizations brought the servicemembers the Chairman’s Holiday Tour. Gen. Richard B. Myers, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and tour host, greeted more than 2,000 troops in attendance, thanked them for their service and introduced the special guests.

“We’re here to give you a nice break in the routine and to thank you for what you are doing,” General Myers said. “These folks with me could be anywhere on the planet today, but that they chose to be here today with you.”

John Elway, Leeann Tweeden and Robin Williams headlined the tour.

Ms. Tweeden, who is a sports show co-host and model, was making her third trip to Iraq and sixth USO tour.

“We’re here to bring a little piece of home to you,” she said. “My father served in the Air Force during Vietnam, and I grew up in a household where I was very proud to be an American.

“I am proud and honored to come over here and bring you a little bit of entertainment and say thank you,” Ms. Tweeden said.

NFL legend and Super Bowl champion John Elway took the stage next. He recalled his thoughts when he was asked by the USO to tour Iraq.

“I said to myself, ‘what can I do for the troops?’” Elway said. “I can’t sing, I can’t dance, I’m not funny, and I’m sure not pretty. But I can still chuck it, so get ready, boys.”

With that, Elway tossed about 50 autographed mini-footballs into the crowd, showing he still has his hall-of-fame arm.

Closing out the show was comedian, actor and Oscar-winner Robin Williams. He told jokes and brought a message from home with him.

“I’m here from Hollywood to thank you for what you are doing,” Mr. Williams said. “Please be careful here, stay safe and have a Merry Christmas.”

The group then signed autographs and posed for photos with the troops.

“A visit like this just makes it a bit better here,” said Master Sgt. Jeannie Helms, of the 379th Expeditionary Aeromedical Evacuation Squadron. Sergeant Helms, a Denver native, had her hometown hero sign a football for her. “The fact that they are willing to leave their families during the holidays like this is just great.”

“I loved it,” said Tech. Sgt. Jude Harper, of the 332nd Expeditionary Aircraft Maintenance Squadron. “It’s great that they come all the way over here to show their support for us.”

“This was a total morale booster,” said Army Sgt. Jolynn Gibson, of the 81st Brigade. “The whole thing was great and Robin Williams was just hilarious.”

The USO, a charitable corporation providing morale, welfare and recreation services to troops throughout the world, organizes many tours throughout the year.

The chairman’s tour took the entertainers to stops throughout U.S. Central Command’s area of responsibility.