Monday, December 17, 2007

Sergeant Major of the Army, USO Bring Cheer to Task Force Marne

By Pfc. Monica K. Smith, USA
Special to American Forces Press Service

Dec. 17, 2007 - Entertaining troops for the sixth consecutive year, the 2007 Hope and Freedom USO Tour stopped off here yesterday to entertain Multinational Division Center soldiers. The crowd was engaging, with a few of its own comics, and kept entertainers such as singer Darryl Worley and comedian Sheryl Underwood laughing just as hard.

The show began with opening remarks from Sgt. Maj. of the
Army Kenneth O. Preston, who introduced everyone on tour, including all of the band members and the stage crew.

"During the holidays, the USO tour is a piece of home to all the soldiers," Preston said. "It's also an opportunity to say thanks for the sacrifices they make."

Kicking the show off was the
U.S. Army Band "Downrange" singing "I Live in America." Other featured acts were singer Keni Thomas, a former Army Ranger; four members of the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders; Leeann Tweeden, a sports correspondent for Fox; and actor-comedian Vince Morris, who was greeted as a newbie by the crowd because this was his inaugural performance.

Tweeden said this is her eighth USO tour and that she just wants to be able to go back and tell everyone firsthand what she's seen and experienced.

On his sixth rotation with the USO Hope and Freedom tour, Worley said he's only making a small sacrifice. The group spends 14 days performing, visiting troops, signing autographs and taking photos. But Worley said he does it because he has friends who are willing to stop the enemy in its tracks for messing with him and the rest of America.

(
Army Pfc. Monica K. Smith is assigned to 3rd Combat Aviation Brigade.)

America Supports You: Group Works to Help, Honor Servicemembers

By Samantha L. Quigley
American Forces Press Service

Dec. 17, 2007 - Some folks believe they have guardian angels, but wounded servicemembers and their families also have a "Guardian Eagle." Mike's Guardian Eagle Foundation offers financial assistance to
military personnel and their families in need because of deployment, injury or death, the group's founder, Robert Lehmiller, said.

"(Our) effort is to provide assistance to our
military families in need and to honor our veterans," he said of his Utah-based foundation.

Honoring veterans is a year-round effort for the foundation. In nearly every month of the year, the foundation participates in at least one event to recognize veterans and the sacrifices they and their families have made.

Operation Salute is one of those efforts.

"Operation Salute is a privately funded tribute to our military and all of our veterans," Lehmiller said. "This traveling display goes throughout the nation attending conferences, conventions, parades,
military events, and many other appearances."

The foundation -- which is named in memory of Lehmiller's son,
Army Sgt. Michael Lehmiller, who was killed in Afghanistan on Aug. 21, 2005 -- recently became a supporter of the Defense Department's "America Supports You" program. America Supports You connects citizens and corporations with military personnel and their families serving at home and abroad.

"I hope to gather new info on fundraising and see what other groups (are doing) and how we might work together to make a better impact," he said of the affiliation. He added that he hoped to determine if any of Mike's Guardian Eagle Foundation's programs were unique and could benefit other groups.

USO Tour Enters High Gear During Show in Kuwait

By Jim Garamone
American Forces Press Service

Dec. 17, 2007 - It was a rocking and rolling time at this logistics base, as the Chairman's USO Holiday Tour entered high gear today.
Navy Adm. Michael G. Mullen, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, brought Robin Williams, Lewis Black, Kid Rock, Miss USA Rachel Black and Lance Armstrong to entertain the troops and thank them for their service.

Two sailors sitting in the crowd were singing along with Kid Rock as the Detroit rocker belted out "Sweet Home Alabama." One turned to the other and said, "All that karaoke is paying off, huh?" They "high-fived" each other and kept on singing.

More than 1,000 servicemembers sat in the stands, crowded the stage, brought arm chairs and laughed along with Williams and appreciated the absurdities of life with Black. They listened as six-time Tour de France winner Armstrong spoke of his philosophy, and all appreciated Smith's heartfelt thanks for the job they do day in and day out.

With Christmas a week away, Mullen passed his holiday greetings to servicemembers. "I'd like to express my appreciation for what you do, not just for the nation, but for the world," he said. "You are making a big difference in a very challenging part of the world."

Mullen said he knows it is a hard time to be away from family. "We know that, and we keep them in our thoughts and prayers, and we hope we can bring a little cheer during this holiday season for you as you serve on this deployment," he said. "You could not be as successful on this deployment without the support of those families, and we're extremely grateful for all the things that they do to make your service possible."

After the show, the entertainers posed for pictures with servicemembers. Mullen walked into the crowd just to speak with servicemembers and drew almost as many to meet him as the entertainers did.

The servicemembers were still pumped well after the show. "We love it when these guys come out," said
Army Sgt. Jeremiah Smith, a truck driver with 2nd Transportation Battalion here. "This is my third trip here, and I'll tell you, this is the best thing they can do for morale."

Army Spc. Brandon "Doc" Watson, of Alabama's 1st Battalion, 167th Infantry, had driven a truck all day from Iraq. "I heard they were having Robin Williams and Kid Rock, and I just couldn't go to bed and miss that," he said. "These guys deserve a lot of credit for coming out here and doing this. They have families, too, and you know they want to celebrate Christmas with them, but here they are."

"That's right," said
Army Staff Sgt. Tracy Warner, of 3rd Army headquarters here. "We don't have a choice. We were ordered here, and we'll serve. But they have a choice. And their choice was to come here and give us some happiness."

The Holiday Tour continues through the week. The chairman's party will visit other countries in the Middle East, Central Asia and Europe.