Photo By Cpl. Andrew Johnston | Admi. Mike Mullen, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, talks with Marines with 2nd...... read more read more
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CAMP HANSON, Afghanistan - “Its way to quiet for me,” whispered actor-comedian Robin Williams as he trudged through a massive crowd of Marines. “We need to lighten the mood around here.”
“G-o-o-o-o-d morning Marjah, Afghanistan,” Williams shouted to the crowd.
Without hesitation, the anxiously awaiting Marines erupted with ear pounding cheers.
Morale was high for Marines with 2nd Battalion, 9th Marine Regiment, as they graciously welcomed numerous celebrities and Adm. Mike Mullen, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, to Camp Hanson in Marjah, Helmand province, Afghanistan, Dec. 16.
The trip was sponsored by the USO’s Holiday Troop Visit tour, which hosted popular icons such as, Lance Armstrong, Robin Williams, Lewis Black, Leon Brooks, Bob Dipiero, and Kathleen Madigan.
After months of fighting insurgents, the visit was a breath of fresh air for the Marines.
“Morale skyrocketed,” said Cpl. Amos T. Benjamin, an infantryman with 2/9. “Everybody had a smile on their face. There wasn’t one person that was crabby or anything like that. Everyone was just so excited to meet them all. It gave people a minute to just sit back, take a breath and relax a little bit.”
As the stars toured the base, a paparazzi of Marines surrounded the guests, who where more than happy to sign autographs and take pictures with the warriors.
“From the minute they landed it was an immediate crowd following us,” laughed Benjamin. “I even asked Robin Williams if getting his picture taken ever gets old and he said, ‘Yeah on the red carpet. I can’t stand those people, but here it’s all about you guys, I love doing this.’”
Benjamin said he had the pleasure of escorting Williams around who had no problem with all of the attention.
“I greeted him right when he landed,” said Benjamin. “He immediately told me, ‘Hey, I’m here for you guys. Anything you want to do is fine with me. If people want pictures, then I will take a million pictures today. If everyone here wants a picture with me they’ll get one. I’m here for you guys and I am really excited to be here.’”
Amongst the controlled chaos, the celebrities made their way to the base’s improvised explosive device lane to see what Marines were up against here. After several loud controlled detonations the celebrities voiced their admiration and pride for the devil dogs.
“I give props to all of you because I don’t know what I would do if I had to deal with this stuff,” said Williams.
After the IED lane training, the horde of Marines and guests made their way to the chow hall where Marines were able to sit down with the celebrities and enjoy lunch together.
“All around it was just a good vibe,” said Benjamin. “All of them were very, very welcoming. They all greeted as many people as possible, and took as many pictures as they could in the short amount of time they were here. Everyone was just so excited to meet them all.”
Admiral Mullen made it a point to acknowledge the battalion’s hard work and successes in a town hall style assembly, where he congratulated and thanked the Marines for their hard work and dedication during their deployment.
“A lot of things are changing because of what you have done,” Mullen said to the crowd. “And quite frankly it’s not just me but everybody in your chain of command right up through the president knows that. We focused on Marjah in particular. From where we are now and from when we came in, in February, is truly a remarkable change and you are a huge part of that.”
After a live music performance from Leon Brooks of Brooks and Dunn, the visit came to an end. Marines followed the guests to the flight deck to see them off. Hoots, hollers, whistles, and cheers filled the air as the celebrities made their exit.
“No one ever wants to see a good thing come to an end, but I think for a lot of people it will be a memory that they will never forget,” said Benjamin. “All of these people took time out of their personal life, even though they didn’t have to, to come see us in an area of Afghanistan that has seen a lot of combat. That’s saying something to the troops that people do care.”
| Date Taken: | 12.16.2010 |
| Date Posted: | 12.22.2010 05:27 |
| Story ID: | 62452 |
| Location: | CAMP HANSON, AF |
| Web Views: | 1,266 |
| Downloads: | 1 |
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