Celebrities Entertain U.S. Troops in Gulf

Yahoo ^ | 6/19/03 | Reuters

[Dr. Scarpetta]

LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - Celebrities ranging from Kid Rock to Wayne Newton are performing for U.S. troops in the Gulf this week as part of the first large-scale entertainment tour of the region since the outset of the Iraq war, sponsors said on Thursday.

Three groups of performers and athletes taking part in the tour paid visits on Thursday to American military personnel in Baghdad, the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz and the Ali al-Salem air base in Kuwait, said Donna St. John, a spokeswoman for USO World Headquarters in Washington.

On Wednesday, the celebrities performed at the Tallil air near the Iraqi city of Nassiriya, two Marine Corps bases and Camp Doha in Kuwait. Another big show is set for Friday.

The tour, dubbed Project Salute 2003, is co-sponsored by the Defense Department, the USO, the Tribeca Film Institute, the Intrepid Museum Foundation and Vanity Fair magazine. Northwest Airlines provided transportation to the region.

In addition to Kid Rock and Wayne Newton, the entertainment roster includes actresses Alyssa Milano (TV's "Charmed") and Brittany Murphy ("Just Married"), country singer Lee Ann Womack, actor Gary Sinise, comedian Paul Rodriguez and the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders.

[mystery-ak]

I hope my hubby got a chance to see this...he needs a little R&R.

[jwalsh07]

Lots of them could use some R&R. It's time to rotate out.

[South40]

They didn't invite the Ditzy Chicks?

I wonder why.

[mystery-ak]

yeah, you're right about that...

[Dr. Scarpetta]

I hope my hubby got a chance to see this...he needs a little R&R.

Do you know where he is?

[Brad’s Gramma]

Pinggggggggggggg

[fiftymegaton]

Alyssa Milano is one hot piece of a$$. Glad to see she is 'entertaining' the troops.

[mystery-ak]

Balad....sigh!

[ohioWfan]

I hope my hubby got a chance to see this...he needs a little R&R.

Oh, my......I hope Eric gets to see this too!

And then I hope he gets on a plane, comes home, and tells us all about it!! :o)

[Citizen of the Savage Nation]

On Wednesday, the celebrities performed at the Tallil air near the Iraqi city of Nassiriya

What a difference a few months makes. How nice is it that where a few months ago there was pitched battles, now there are USO-type concerts. Very good.

[Dr. Scarpetta]

God bless.

[mystery-ak]

I can't wait for that day!

[ohioWfan]

Nor can I! No word yet??

[Dr. Scarpetta]

And then I hope he gets on a plane, comes home, and tells us all about it!!

I hope it's soon too!

[ohioWfan]

He needs to leave Baghdad in July so that he can be home in August so that he can go to college in the fall.

No end date yet............sigh.............

[mystery-ak]

Actually, Im waiting for a call now...he said he would try and call me tonight.....Mike thinks he'll be home around October...in time for our grandson's 2nd BD...Im praying that they are not extended.....they are soooo busy with his Chinooks.

[Vinnie]

Did you buy that SUV?

[Dr. Scarpetta]

Hollywood Celebrities Visit U.S. Troops
Thu Jun 19...AP

BAGHDAD, Iraq - Some 7,000 U.S. soldiers sweated and swayed through a USO show in an aircraft hangar in Baghdad on Thursday, as several American celebrities competed for their attentions.

"It's still hot, it's still miserable but it gives us a chance to get away from the whole war in Baghdad," said U.S. Army Lt. Justin Morseth of Newark, Ohio.

Stars who flew to Baghdad for the show included singer Kid Rock, actor Gary Sinise, National Football League players Duce Staley and Jason P. Taylor and actress Rebecca Romijn-Stamos and her husband, actor John Stamos.

The stars signed autographs and shook hands with the troops.

"These guys have done so much and I'm doing so little, but if a little bit can help a lot that's what I want to do," Sinise said.

In a poignant moment, Sinise delivered a letter from Morseth's wife. Sinise had been corresponding with Morseth, the stepson of a friend from a Chicago's Steppenwolf Theater, which Sinise founded.

[ohioWfan]

We're still hoping for August since that will be 180 days......and they try to get the Reserves back in 6 months.

It doesn't look too promising though......