Sgt. Kristin S. Jochums
Public Affairs Office, 2d Force Service Support Group (Forward)
Combat Correspondent
CAMP TAQADDUM, Iraq (May 14, 2005) -- He can leap tall buildings in a single bound, is faster than a speeding bullet and more powerful than a locomotive, but can Dean Cain and Amanda Swisten brave the Iraqi sun?
Cain, a Malibu, Calif., native who starred as Clark Kent/Superman in the television series "Lois and Clark: The New Adventures of Superman," and the host and producer of the series "Ripley's Believe It or Not," was here accompanied by Swisten, a model and actress best known for her role in the 2003 movie "American Wedding," where she starred as the French maid in the bachelor party scene, and for her soon to be released movie "Freezerburn."
The Ambassadors of Hollywood tour stopped to visit service members here May 14. The stars had the opportunity to meet and take pictures with several service members.
"We have no talent to put into a show," chuckled Cain. "So we just signed some autographs and took pictures. We are here to say thank you to everybody who's out here and to let them know that people in Hollywood are thinking about them all the time."
While Cain's new movie "Lost" was opening May 13 in Los Angeles, he was touring Iraq and running into friends from back home.
One friend, Corporal Steven Mattossian, a 21-year-old Los Angeles native, is an aviation supply specialist with Helicopter Marine Medium Squadron 764 which is augmenting Marine Aviation Logistics Squadron 26 and deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom..
Mattossian's brother, Kevin, was the producer for the movie Cain recently starred in and that is how the two know each other.
"I saw him at a film festival just before he came out here and we have stayed in touch through email and [Kevin] keeps me updated," said Cain. "I knew he was shipping off to Iraq and then we got to see each other here. He is stationed at Al Asad and he got a little vacation to come over here and see me."
The two were able to spend some time together and relax before both of them returned to their busy schedules. They also found time to put together a video for Mattosian's younger brother who is getting married in August, since the corporal will be in Iraq for the wedding.
"It's great for him to be out here and for us to be able to meet up in country," said Mattosian. "I am proud to know [Cain], he is a good stand up guy. He is doing his part by being out here supporting us."
"When we have entertainers come out it is really great, just because it is putting all politics aside," Mattosian said. "It's not about left or right, it's just about humans helping humans and Americans helping Americans. We need more of that and less taking sides. I think we would all be a lot better off that way."
Both celebrities expressed their personal appreciation for the sacrifices made by deployed service members.
"I am very grateful to be asked and it makes me feel like a real American to be out here with all of you and to experience the flavor of what you experience," said Swisten, a Charlottesville, Va., native. "I feel honored. I just wanted to see it for myself."
"Everybody always says freedom isn't free and I do believe that," said Cain. "I have tremendous respect for everybody here."
| Date Taken: | 05.19.2005 |
| Date Posted: | 05.19.2005 10:13 |
| Story ID: | 1871 |
| Location: | AL TAQADDUM, IQ |
| Web Views: | 95 |
| Downloads: | 5 |
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