United Service Organization Tour visits northeast Afghanistan

Photo By Sgt. Charles Brice | Rappers Ying Yang Twins spoke to the camera sending a brief message to the audience back home saying they support our troops.  

BAGRAM AIR FIELD, AFGHANISTAN

11.14.2008

Courtesy Story

Combined Joint Task Force 101

By the Combined Joint Task Force - 101 Public Affairs Office

BAGRAM AIR FIELD, Afghanistan - A group of celebrities visited 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division, Soldiers at Jalalabad in northeast Afghanistan yesterday during a United Service Organization sponsored tour called Around the World in Eight Days.

Rappers the Ying Yang Twins and singer and model Mayra Veronica were hosted by Gen. James Cartwright, vice chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. The entertainers performed and met with several Soldiers, posing for photos with them and signing autographs. The Soldiers were very pleased with the support shown by the entertainers.

"I think it was a great thing for the celebrities to show their support for the Soldiers. It was a surprise for us that they spent a little while longer with us in spite of there time constraints," said Spc. Francisco Rivera, supply specialist for 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division.

After leaving, the celebrities travelled to other areas around the country to visit with other Soldiers and boost morale, which included a concert at Bagram Air Field.

According to the USO, their entertainers are merely fulfilling the USO's mission. It is the USO's long-standing tradition to send entertainers overseas, and it will carry on as long as service members are stationed far from home.

• Date Taken: 11.14.2008
• Date Posted: 11.14.2008 08:19
• Story ID: 26342
• Location: BAGRAM AIR FIELD, AF