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'Celebs' Use Stardom to Promote Army
Military.com email news update ^ | February 13, 2003 | Army News Service

Posted on 02/13/2003 8:06:16 AM PST by RetiredArmy

'Celebs' Use Stardom to Promote Army Army News Service, February 11, 2003

WASHINGTON -- Actor Sean Astin and wrestler Bradshaw are among celebrities who are using their stardom to increase troop morale and keep the military fresh in the minds of Americans.

Astin, who is known for his roles in "Rudy" and the "Lord of the Rings," visited the Pentagon Jan. 30 to record public service announcements thanking troops for their service and re-emphasizing America's trust in its military.

He also narrated an announcement to promote the Criminal Investigation Command, commonly known as CID, and asked interested soldiers to apply to the command if they are interested in becoming a CID Special Agent.

"There's a lot of different people and voices in America, and I don't mind letting my voice be heard," Astin said during an interview conducted at the Pentagon. "I learned from reading about Vietnam that no matter what you think politically about certain deployments, as a good citizen and a patriot it's your duty to appreciate that there are soldiers using their lives on your behalf as a citizen."

Although many may know that Astin has appeared in more than 25 motion pictures, few know that he has served as a civilian aide to the secretary of the Army since 1995. He served under Togo West, Louis Caldera and now the current Secretary of the Army Thomas White.

For protocol purposes Astin, as a civilian aide, is ranked just below a three-star general and is considered to be the secretary of the Army's personal representative in the California region. Part of the basis of a CASA's appointment is his ability to increase the public's understanding of the Army, and Astin said he tells the Army story to anyone who wants to know it.

"I'm in a position where I do whatever I can to support the Army," Astin said. "I've visited installations, and took the time to write 'thank-you' letters to business who had reserve-component soldiers to be mobilized."

In an unofficial capacity, Bradshaw has conducted countless interviews, worn Army apparel on TV and used his weekly program sponsored by World Wrestling Enterprise as a venue to talk about how the war is affecting its troops.

Bradshaw visited the Pentagon Feb. 4 and soldiers at Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington, D.C., who are recovering from wounds inflicted while supporting Operation Enduring Freedom. He was one of three performers who accompanied Sgt. Maj. of the Army Jack Tilley on a USO tour to Afghanistan, Uzbekistan and Kuwait during the Christmas holiday.

"During the USO trip, I told Sergeant Major Tilley that I regret not being a soldier," Bradshaw said. "He told me that, 'everyone has to find his own role and do what he can to support troops.'"

Both in and out of the ring, Bradshaw said his niche is telling Americans what life is like for soldiers on enemy territory.

"Video games have gotten so realistic now a lot of times people believe that soldiers are in some type of high-tech video game over there. That's not the case, we're putting men and women in the way of bullets.

"Despite the fact the Army does everything outstandingly well to take care of these soldiers, they're still out in the desert, away from families, and I don't care if they're staying in the Hilton, it's no place they want to be."

In the future, Bradshaw said he wants to film public service announcements also.

Astin's announcements will be seen on Armed Forces Radio and Television Stations.


TOPICS: Foreign Affairs; Front Page News
KEYWORDS: activistactors; army; bushsupporter; celebs
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To: HighRoadToChina; RosieCotton
It is very nearly spot-on.... only minor change in [brackets] below:

Frodo: I can’t do this, Sam.
 

Sam: I know.  It’s all wrong.  By rights we shouldn’t even be here.  But we are.

(He stands and leans against a wall, looking out into the distance)

It’s like in the great stories, Mr. Frodo.  The ones that really mattered.  Full of darkness and danger they were.  And sometimes you didn’t want to know the end.  Because how could the end be happy?  How could the world go back to the way it was when so much bad had happened?  But in the end, it’s only a passing thing, this shadow.  Even darkness must pass.  A new day will come.  And when the sun shines, it will shine out the clearer.  Those were the stories that stayed with you.  That meant something, even if you were too small to understand why.  But I think, Mr. Frodo, I do understand.  I know now.  Folk in those stories had lots of chances of turning back, only they didn’t [they kept going].  Because they were holding on to something.
 
Frodo: What are we holding on to, Sam?
 
Sam: There’s some good in this world, Mr. Frodo.  And it’s worth fighting for.

41 posted on 02/13/2003 7:53:53 PM PST by HairOfTheDog
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To: Samwise
Woops.... meant to ping you to my above! - Not really Rosie! (I shouldn't be confused! - its the pints!)
42 posted on 02/13/2003 7:57:12 PM PST by HairOfTheDog
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To: HairOfTheDog; HighRoadToChina
Thanks for the editing. Geeez. Not all dialogue sources are created equal.
43 posted on 02/13/2003 8:13:39 PM PST by Samwise
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To: Samwise
Did you get that piece from Quintessential? - the Quintessential site had the same dialogue you had, but I checked another source that had the "they kept going"that I remembered.

Quintessential LoTR site - TTT script

44 posted on 02/13/2003 8:23:05 PM PST by HairOfTheDog
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To: HairOfTheDog
I don't remember where I originally found the quotes. I pulled them from my profile to use here. However, I don't think I used the link you posted. It doesn't look familiar.
45 posted on 02/13/2003 8:30:30 PM PST by Samwise
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To: HairOfTheDog
Thanks!
46 posted on 02/14/2003 12:56:53 AM PST by HighRoadToChina (Never Again!)
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To: HairOfTheDog
Woops.... meant to ping you to my above! - Not really Rosie! (I shouldn't be confused! - its the pints!)

Well...I enjoyed the ping anyway! Thanks!

47 posted on 02/14/2003 5:29:27 AM PST by RosieCotton
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To: HairOfTheDog
Was Sean in the movie The Memphis Bell?
48 posted on 02/14/2003 5:32:11 AM PST by SkyPilot
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To: SkyPilot
Yes he was....
49 posted on 02/14/2003 6:20:19 AM PST by HairOfTheDog
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To: RetiredArmy; HairOfTheDog
Sam IS wise! And BRAVE! Funny, he was one of my favorite characters in the movie too, he really seems real and honest.

In interviews, he says he loves his wife and kids and seems very well grounded, (especially considering how he was brought up!).

Too bad he wasn't nominated for an Academy Award for his performance, which I believe he deserves.
50 posted on 02/14/2003 10:33:57 AM PST by I_Love_My_Husband (Dear God in heaven: please protect us and our families from harm.)
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To: HairOfTheDog
http://www.theonering.net/perl/newsview/8/1045164465
51 posted on 02/14/2003 10:34:49 AM PST by I_Love_My_Husband (Dear God in heaven: please protect us and our families from harm.)
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To: I_Love_My_Husband
Yes, I sent it to them, and they put it right up! - Good!
52 posted on 02/14/2003 10:45:25 AM PST by HairOfTheDog
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To: HairOfTheDog
I love that speech! Choked me up!
53 posted on 02/14/2003 10:51:20 AM PST by I_Love_My_Husband (Dear God in heaven: please protect us and our families from harm.)
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To: RetiredArmy
Awesome... now I have less guilt over seeing LOTR with 'War for Oil' Viggo and Ian 'Ben Dover' McKellam, lol.
54 posted on 02/14/2003 11:02:23 AM PST by Sloth (I feel like I'm taking crazy pills!)
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To: nutmeg
find later bump
55 posted on 01/03/2004 10:10:25 PM PST by nutmeg (Is the DemocRATic party extinct yet?)
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To: .30Carbine
I sure had Sean Astin pegged wrong and you didn't - bump.

Perhaps it's only the Green agenda that has him confused.

56 posted on 01/05/2004 8:19:50 AM PST by TigersEye ("Where there is life, there is hope!" - Terri Schiavo)
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