113th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment

Story by Spc. Elvyn Nieves

by Spc. Elvyn Nieves
3rd Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division

COMBAT OUTPOST CALLAHAN, Iraq – Former professional wrestler Diamond Dallas Page, along with actresses Gabrielle Tuite, Cynthia Watros and the NBA's first and only female scout, Bonnie-Jill Laflin, paid a morale-raising visit to Soldiers stationed in Combat Outpost Callahan March 12.

The celebrities signed autographs to the capacity crowd of Soldiers from 1st Combined Arms Battalion, 68th Armor Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, Multi-National Division – Baghdad, talked to them and posed for pictures in an afternoon filled with smiles and lifted spirits.

The presence of three-time world champion Page Joseph Falkinburg, better known as Diamond Dallas Page, brought back memories for the Soldiers who watched him wrestle when they were children.

"Diamond Dallas Page, I watched him as a kid," said Spc. Jerome Harrison, a Columbus, Ohio, native, who serves as a truck driver in Company F, 1-68 AR. "I liked his character. He's a strong guy. This is the first time I've ever see him in my life."

Harrison said the celebrities' visit was definitely a change in the routine, and it helped raise the morale of the Soldiers.

"This is my third time to Iraq," said Page. "In fact, I just got back from Afghanistan about a month and a half ago. I went there with a couple wrestlers, like Greg "The Hammer" Valentine and Nicolai Volkhov. We went to the different FOBs (Forward Operating Bases) over there. I was here in 2004, then 2006 and now in 2008."

Page said he visits Soldiers because he loves their "warrior spirit."

"It doesn't matter where is the war," said Page. "If our warriors are out there fighting, then it greatly concerns all of us."

Page said he doesn't just bring autographs and pictures to the Soldiers who grew up watching him wrestle, but he also talks to them about living life.

"If I'm in a war zone, and I start getting shot at and blown up, I'm not going to panic," said Page. "I'm going to look to the guys and tell them to calm down. Of course, I would never be in that position here. I'm 52 years old. But for the kids around here, it's about how you react."

Page said he and his fellow visitors had a very warm response from the Soldiers at the COP – and it inspired the touring group.

"I want to thank our chain of command for making this happen because this really helps us out," said Harrison. "This is really good for us to lift our spirits."

Tuite, a world traveler and renowned model, has posed in several fashion and style magazines, such as US, People, InStyle, In Touch, Men's Fitness, Physical, Ironman, Women's World, Muscle and Fitness and Stuff Magazine. Her film credits include Deuce Bigalow: Male Gigolo and a co-starring role in Miss Cast Away. Currently, she is focused her career as an actress and host.

A Daytime Emmy Award winner for her role in CBS soap opera, Guiding Light, Cynthia Watros possesses a Bachelor in Fine Arts from Boston University. She was a cast member on ABC's "Lost" series and recently completed the new NBC miniseries "Fear Itself." The actress who is also known for her roles in shows such as Titus, The Drew Carey Show and guest starring in Law & Order and Spin City, will be seen in the upcoming films: Calvin Marshall, Frank and American Crude.

Bonnie-Jill Laflin is a scout for the NBA's Los Angeles Lakers and has had recurring roles on Baywatch and Ally McBeal and guest appearances on Nash Bridges, The Jaime Foxx Show and CSI.

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