Hollywood arrives at Akashat

Photo By Cpl. Ryan Tomlinson | A group of celebrities depart from Combat Outpost Akashat, Iraq, July 6, after visiting Marines with Delta Company, 4th Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion, 2nd Light Armored Reconnaissance Bn., Regimental Combat Team 5. As the entertainers left, they provided a feeling of motivation in the back of the Marines' minds as the Marines approach the last half of their deployment.  

IRAQ

07.13.2008

Story by Cpl. Ryan Tomlinson 

I Marine Expeditionary Force

By Cpl. Ryan Tomlinson
Regimental Combat Team 5

COMBAT OUTPOST AKASHAT, Iraq – A company of Marines, in one of the most secluded combat outposts in Iraq, had an unusual visit by a special group of entertainers from Hollywood, Calif..

Marines with Delta Company, 4th Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion, 2nd Light Armored Reconnaissance Bn., Regimental Combat Team 5 were not greeted by unit leaders or fellow service members, but actors, actresses and models, July. 6. The celebrities visited here, and other bases around Iraq to provide service members with a special thank you.

Delta Co. is a reserve mechanized infantry unit attached to 2nd LAR operating in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.

"It was a chance of a lifetime to come and see the service members," said Shamron M. Moore, a model who has appeared in several magazines. "They have done so much for our country. It's a chance to give my love and appreciation by coming here."

The Marines were also visited by four other celebrities: Steve Zahn, actor from films such as "Saving Silverman" and "National Security;" Carmit Bachar, former member of the music group The Pussycat Dolls; Tamie Sheffield, Victoria Secret model; and Camille Anderson, actress from the film "The Wedding Crashers." The celebrities greeted and conversed with the company while taking pictures with them.

"It was a very pleasant surprise for them to come all this way to see us," said Lance Cpl. M. Farroll Campbell, a scout with Delta Co. "Morale was definitely uplifted to talk to them."

While the group was conversing with the Marines, they experienced the life of a service member in areas outside of the major bases. The entertainers enjoyed the time with the service members and also viewed it as a learning experience.

"It's a dream of mine to come out here and see the guys," said Zahn. "I get to hang out with the guys and three hours later I'm shooting a .50 caliber machine gun from a humvee."

As the entertainers left, they provided a feeling of motivation in the back of the Marines' minds as they approach the last half of their deployment. As the company continues its operations, it will know that a group of celebrities showed their appreciation by visiting them on their small combat outpost in western Anbar province.

"Seeing new faces at the mid-point of our deployment brought excitement amongst the Marines," said Campbell, 22, from Catlett, Va. "(I think) it's very different for them to come to a combat outpost as opposed to a larger base all the time. It now makes it easier to complete the final half of the deployment because they showed their appreciation for the Marines in the smaller posts."

• Date Taken: 07.13.2008
• Date Posted: 07.13.2008 08:23
• Story ID: 21432
• Location: IQ