Courtesy Photo | Actor and comedian Robin Williams was a big hit Monday night at Camp Arifjan, Kuwait,...... read more read more
Subscribe
Third Army/U.S. Army Central
CAMP ARIFJAN, Kuwait – The United Service Organization began its Holiday Troop Visit Tour on Dec. 17 by visiting various camps in Kuwait.
Lt. Gen. R. Steven Whitcomb, Third Army/U.S. Army Central commanding general, introduced Adm. Michael G. Mullen, the 17th chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, who opened the show to an enthusiastic crowd of more than 6,000 service members.
Mullen introduced actor Robin Williams, seven-time Tour-de-France winner Lance Armstrong, musician Kid Rock, comedian Lewis Black and Miss USA Rachel Smith to the service members.
"You are all terrific, terrific people ... thanks for what you are doing. Enjoy the show, it will be a great one. God bless you and your families," said Mullen.
The show entertained troops, boosted morale and brought smiles and laughter to the crowd of Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen, Marines, Coast Guardsmen and Department of the Defense civilians who accomplish the mission and earn the right to call themselves "Patton's Own."
In addition to the variety show, troops dined with celebrities and entertainers and heard first-hand from the performers their heartfelt gratitude and thanks for the service members' selfless service and sacrifices to the nation.
Williams, an Academy Award-winning actor and comedian, is on his fourth USO tour. While thanking the troops, retreat sounded and the crowd responded by coming to attention and rendering honors to the American flag. Williams and the audience fell silent. Later he stated, "At that moment it was so surreal."
Miss USA is no stranger to the military. Smith, the daughter of former Soldiers, was born on a U.S. Army base in Panama. As troops cheered and applauded, she said, "Thank you ... and I love all of you!"
Stealing the show Monday night, Kid Rock displayed passion and charisma in each song he performed. He enthralled the audience with his songs of classic and modern rock and roll. Later he commented that the best part of the tour was "just to see the guys' and girls' faces."
Armstrong praised the troops by comparing them to heroes. "Interesting thing about the word hero, nobody can claim to be a hero, you have to be called a hero or told you are a hero," he said.
"I can speak for everybody here on this trip that we truly look around and we are humbled by your bravery and honored to be in your presence," Armstrong said. "We are just athletes and entertainers...please accept our gratitude and know that y'all are heroes – not us – y'all."
Grammy Award-winning comedian, actor and author, Lewis Black, had service members rolling with laughter. Black closed his performance praising the audience.
"It's been a privilege, pleasure, honor to perform for you," Black said. "You are the best. Thank you for what you do!"
Since the USO's inception in 1941, thousands of celebrities have lent their time and talents, traveling to military bases around the world to entertain the troops.
During the USO Holiday Troop Visit, Mullen and the performers will visit service members deployed throughout the Third Army/U.S. Army Central area of responsibility in support of Operations Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom.
Third Army/U.S. Army Central is the Army Service Component Command for U.S. Central Command. In addition to being the U.S. Army's only Army-level, deployable warfighting headquarters for contingency operations, Third Army/USARCENT, supports a 27-country region and operations in Iraq, Afghanistan and the Horn of Africa.
| Date Taken: | 12.18.2007 |
| Date Posted: | 12.18.2007 14:25 |
| Story ID: | 14812 |
| Location: | CAMP ARJIFAN, KW |
| Web Views: | 355 |
| Downloads: | 339 |
This work, United States Organization sponsors Holiday Troop Visit tour, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
No keywords found.
LEAVE A COMMENT