Photo By Staff Sgt. Ricardo Branch | Cyclist Lance Armstrong addresses the gathered service members at Camp Ramadi during...... read more read more
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Spc. Ricardo Branch
1st Brigade Combat Team Public Affairs
CAMP RAMADI, Iraq – The United Service Organization brought its Holiday Troop Visit Tour to the service members and civilians with a special show at the morale welfare and recreation center, Dec. 19, at Camp Ramadi.
Adm. Michael G. Mullen, the 17th Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, opened the show to an excited crowd of more than 600 attendees.
"You all do a lot for your country, thanks for what you're doing. I know you all didn't come here to see me talk so let's get this show started!" Mullen said.
The MWR was filled in a sea of digital camouflage, as Soldiers, Marines, Airmen and civilians crowded around the stage to cheer, watch and laugh as the celebrities came out to entertain them. Miss U.S.A. Rachel Smith opened up the show to cheers from the crowd. Next, comedian Lewis Black came out with his standup comedy, which brought out many laughs from those attending.
"This is awesome," said Sgt. Gerald Murdock, Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 1st Brigade Combat Team. "It's a really good show and the morale's up for many people today."
The show also featured famous comedian Robin Williams, musician Kid Rock and cyclist Lance Armstrong. Armstrong always expressed a desire to visit the troops overseas to show his support. When he was approached for a trip into Iraq by Williams and the USO, he agreed immediately.
"It's been an amazing trip for us," he said. "I'm still trying to figure out how I got placed between Lewis Black and Robin Williams because I'm just a bike racer and a retired one at that."
After causing some laughter in the audience, Armstrong became serious.
"I think for us back in the United States, we have good lives. We have great opportunities," he said. "I now have a new sense of perspective to be focused and be committed. You guys have given us the greatest Christmas present we can get and that's not to take things for granted."
Armstrong, who is on his first trip with the USO, said the commitment and dedication from service members to defend the country is something he'll never forget.
"What you all have done by signing up to be here and defend our freedom and our country was your choice," he said. "It was a selfless commitment to come here and defend America. When I get home, I'm going to tell my children of thousands of heroes I met over here on this trip."
Following Armstrong, Williams had his own take on the experience of traveling in Iraq.
"For every one of us, everyday here is an extraordinary thing," he said. "You meet people and come away with such energy. We're all having a great time with these shows and I just wanted to say get home safe and thanks."
Williams entertained the crowd with more standup before Kid Rock came and stole the show with each song he performed.
"I was going to come here and play a couple of Christmas songs," he said. "I think I'll start with the songs I grew up with instead."
Kid Rock played "Sweet Home Alabama" as the crowd sang and clapped along. After a few more classic rock and roll tunes, he played some new songs he wrote this year and sent the crowd in an uproar with applause and cheers.
Since the USO's creation in 1941, many celebrities have lent their time and talents to visit military bases around the world. The holidays are a time when celebrities come out in force to show their support to the armed forces.
| Date Taken: | 12.22.2007 |
| Date Posted: | 12.22.2007 08:11 |
| Story ID: | 14932 |
| Location: | RAMADI, IQ |
| Web Views: | 540 |
| Downloads: | 488 |
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