Photo By Sgt. Maj. Nathan Hoskins | Country music singer Leeann Tweeden and Renovo, Penn., native Craig Bowes, a Soldier...... read more read more
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By Spc. Nathan J. Hoskins
1st Air Cavalry Brigade Public Affairs
CAMP TAJI, Iraq – The Sergeant Major of the Army brought with him the United Service Organizations' sponsored SMA Hope and Freedom Tour 2006 SWA (Southwest Asia) here, Dec 18.
Sergeant Major of the Army Kenneth O. Preston had an entourage that included author and comedian Al Franken, sports show host Leeann Tweeden, country music artist Darryl Worley and even Dallas Cowboy cheerleaders Laura Beke and Shenythia Willie.
This tour brought smiles to many Soldiers' faces during what is normally a hard time of year while being deployed – the holiday season, said Preston.
"This is a tough time of year to be away from family and war is tough. Out of all the deployments that I've been on we ask some really, really incredible things of our Soldiers and their families," he said.
Although his views on the Bush administration are tough regarding the war in Iraq, Al Franken, a liberal author and comedian, is adamant about supporting the troops serving their nation.
"I just want to tell you that everybody in America is behind you – behind the troops. And, I think that's just an important thing for you to know. This isn't Vietnam, this isn't about not supporting you guys," Franken said in remarks to the crowd of Soldiers.
Preston acknowledged the sacrifices made by the Soldiers when heading out to war.
"I think the sacrifices that they make [are] the reason why the American people are so supportive of all our Soldiers. They know the personal sacrifices that they make on behalf of all Americans," he said in an interview at the end of the visit.
The fact that Preston supports his troops in theater and back home is no secret.
"It was a unique experience and an honor to meet the [sergeant major of the Army] because of the fact that he supports everything we have going on over here," said Hickory, N.C., native Sgt. 1st Class Edward Worley, the UH-60 Black Hawk platoon sergeant for Company C, 3rd Battalion, 227th Aviation Regiment, 1st Air Cavalry Brigade, 1st Cavalry Division.
Camp Taji was one of many forward operating bases visited by the celebrity-packed tour. The group was flown from FOB to FOB by helicopter crews from the 1st Air Cavalry Brigade, 1st Cavalry Division.
"Army aviation has been doing us very, very well. They've been getting us around to all the right places and everywhere we need to go ... on time – as expected," said the senior noncommissioned officer of the Army.
| Date Taken: | 12.18.2006 |
| Date Posted: | 12.22.2006 09:49 |
| Story ID: | 8647 |
| Location: | TAJI, IQ |
| Web Views: | 310 |
| Downloads: | 52 |
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