America Supports You: Award-Winning Actor Visits Wounded Troops (Robert Duvall)

America Supports You ^ | Samantha L. Quigley

[SandRat]

WASHINGTON, Sept. 26, 2007 – Award-winning actor Robert Duvall certainly wasn’t gone in 60 seconds when he stopped at Walter Reed Army Medical Center here yesterday to visit wounded servicemembers. (Video)

Retired Army Chief Warrant Officer 4 Dan Cordell shakes hands with actor Robert Duvall, who spent time visiting wounded servicemembers at Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington on Sept. 25, 2007. Cordell was injured Sept. 13 while working as a contractor in Iraq. Photo by Petty Officer 2nd Class Molly A. Burgess, USN  
(Click photo for screen-resolution image);high-resolution image available.

He did discover, however, that his 2000 movie “Gone in 60 Seconds,” was a favorite with those he talked to. “What is it with that movie?” he asked after talking with several troops who said they loved the film.

“I think ‘Gone in 60 Seconds’ was on (Turner Network Television) the other day, so I just watched it,” Army Spc. Brent Hendrix, a Walter Reed outpatient, said in providing a possible explanation.

Duvall’s visit was a welcome surprise, said Hendrix, whose right leg was amputated below the knee after his Stryker combat vehicle hit a roadside bomb in Iraq’s Anbar province on June 27, 2006.

“I’m all about him,” he said. “Most times you sit there, and you think about celebrities, … and you wouldn’t ever think they’d come by here and see us. They really do appreciate what we do and what we continue to do.”

That sentiment was echoed throughout the physical therapy room as Duvall worked his way around amid the hubbub of on-going rehabilitation sessions.

Duvall was sincere and heartfelt, said Marine Cpl. Kenny Lyon, also a Walter Reed outpatient, who lost his left leg above the knee when his operating post north of Fallujah, Iraq, was hit by a mortar May 1, 2006.

“I really enjoy it when people visit,” he said. “It’s just good for the patients and other people who have been here less time than me. Some of them think this really sucks and they see people come in. It really puts a sparkle in their eye, and it’s nice to see.”

Despite repeatedly being stopped in the halls by those wanting to meet the screen legend, Duvall also managed to visit servicemembers in the occupational therapy rooms and in Ward 57, an in patient ward housing mostly orthopedic patients. Most of the amputees are treated there.

“We have so many people coming to visit – VIPs, general officers – it just seems like sometimes people walking in off the streets to say, ‘Hi,’” said Retired Army Chief Warrant Officer Dan Cordell after visiting with Duvall in his Ward 57 room. “It’s nice that people care.”

Cordell was injured while working as a contractor in Iraq.

Duvall played down the significance of his visit, saying it was an “honor and a privilege” to be able to talk with these “wonderful young people,” and that he’s impressed with the care they’re receiving.

“I’m just a layman. I don’t really understand the specifics of what you have here, but it seems wonderful what’s being done and the treatment these people are getting,” the actor said. “It’s very thorough and scientific, specific, and loving at the same time.”

The son of a career Navy officer, Duvall marveled at the persistence the wounded warriors displayed. “So many of these young men and women, they want to go back,” he said. “They want to go back to the fighting in Iraq and Afghanistan. It’s amazing.”

Amazing perhaps, but very telling, said Alan Geoffrion, who accompanied Duvall and his wife, Luciana Pedraza.

Geoffrion, who wrote the western novel “Broken Trail,” said he and his father-in-law, both Vietnam veterans, once had doubts about an all-volunteer military.

“Last night we both … agreed that this is probably -- well, not even probably -- this is the best military our country has ever fielded,” he said. “They’re brighter, smarter (and) more skilled. They need to keep them back in active duty. I think it’s terrific that the services are willing to do that.”

The former Navy signalman also wrote the screenplay for the television movie version of his book, which recently garnered Duvall an Emmy award for outstanding leading actor.

“I wanted to come and do this,” Geoffrion said. “You come here thinking you’re going to help them, and you wind up they help you a lot more.”

Celebrity visits really do help the servicemembers and their families, though, Army Maj. Gen. Rick Lynch said.

Lynch spent yesterday at the hospital visiting about 50 of his wounded soldiers from the 3rd Infantry Division, which he commands out of Fort Stewart, Ga. He’ll soon head back to his other position as commander of Multinational Division Center in Iraq.

“I think -- and I’m a fan of Robert Duvall, as well -- when they see him on the screen and see him in person they can relate, because he’s always doing action adventures,” Lynch said. “At least on the screen, he’s doing what we do in life. To me, it’s personally inspirational that he takes the time to come and visit these great soldiers.”

Duvall wrapped up his visit with a tour of the new Military Advanced Training Center, which was officially opened during a Sept. 13 ceremony.

Editor's Note: To find out about more individuals, groups and organizations that are helping support the troops, visit www.AmericaSupportsYou.mil. America Supports You directly connects military members to the support of the America people and offers a tool to the general public in their quest to find meaningful ways to support the military community.

Related Sites:
Walter Reed Army Medical Center

	Actor Robert Duvall talks with Army Lt. Col. Gregory Gadson on Sept. 25, 2007, during a visit to Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington. Gadson, who is recovering at the facility after losing both legs above the knee fighting in the global war on terrorism, is a West Point graduate. Photo by Petty Officer 2nd Class Molly A. Burgess, USN   Download screen-resolution    Download high-resolution
	Actor Robert Duvall talks with Army Spc. Brent Hendrix on Sept. 25, 2007, during a visit to Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington. Hendrix, an outpatient at the facility, lost his right leg below the knee when his Stryker hit a roadside bomb near Iraq’s Anbar province. Photo by Petty Officer 2nd Class Molly A. Burgess, USN   Download screen-resolution    Download high-resolution
	Author Alan Geoffrion (left), Luciana Pedraza, and her husband, actor Robert Duvall (center), meet with Defense Department officials including Allison Barber, deputy assistant secretary of defense for public liaison and internal communication (standing second from right), at Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington on Sept. 25, 2007. Duvall, Pedraza and Geoffrion spent the afternoon visiting wounded servicemembers. Photo by Samantha L. Quigley   Download screen-resolution    Download high-resolution
	Actor Robert Duvall crosses paths with Army Maj. Gen. Rick Lynch at Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington on Sept. 25, 2007. Duvall was on his way into the facility to visit with wounded servicemembers. The commander of 3rd Infantry Division and Multinational Division Center in Iraq was just on his way out after visiting about 50 of his wounded soldiers and their families before returning to Iraq. Photo by Samantha L. Quigley   Download screen-resolution    Download high-resolution

[RDTF]

cool!

[fish hawk]

The man is absolutely wonderful and down to earth. I met him here on Maui the year he won the Oscar for Tender Mercies. Got to talk to him for almost an hour while he was waiting for his tour helicopter. Not to mention he is one of our greatest living actors.

[nwrep]

Duvall rocks.

[visualops]

Awesome!

[fish hawk]

I just watched Lonesome Dove again last night for about the twentieth time. Never get tired of that movie.

[mkjessup]

Robert Duvall is certainly in the same category of greatness as John Wayne, he is a man of honor and integrity.

For those who may not have seen, or perhaps never heard of one of Duvall’s later movies, make it a point to get a copy of, and then watch ‘The Apostle’ (1998), Duvall said that he felt it was one of his best films and I tend to agree although I will always enjoy his portrayal of NASCAR mechanic Harry Hogge in ‘Days of Thunder’.

[donnab]

kinda gives me hope. thanks for the post.

[avacado]

Beautiful! That was so enjoyable to read. A breath of sanity!

[rlmorel]

Yep. Great actor. Thing is, I have no idea about his politics...and I like it that way. Seems like a great guy.

Favorite movies with him:

1.) Open Range

2.) Second Hand Lions

3.) The Great Santini

4.) Lonesome Dove

5.) Apocalypse Now (not really the movie...but his performance! How could you not find his outrageous character just...perfect for that movie?)

[HANG THE EXPENSE]

Very cool.

[rlmorel]

I was happy to read this account of him. Bless him for giving something of himself to the troops...how many of those men do you think uttered the line: “I love the smell of Napalm in the morning...”

I agree with your comparison to John Wayne, and my favorite line from all of his movies (besides the napalm line) is his toast in Open Range before he comes down hard on the bad guys:

“Good health to them who has it comin.”

[aculeus]

A good man.

[shield]

I love it. And I love Duvall visiting our troops. He’s got a home in Virginia.

[Lancer_N3502A]

[shield]

Duvall hosted or is hosting a fund raiser for Rudy to raise money. He’s obviously a Republican, I’ve heard him say he’s a libertarian...however, to keep hollyweirdo calm I’m sure he’d never admit he’s a republican. He supported McCain in 2000. He’s supporting Rudy this go around.

[mdittmar]

The Great Santini

[dighton]

By most accounts, one of the good guys.

Another performance comes to mind, from a single viewing some time ago: the title role in Stalin.

[roses of sharon]

Ah, Tender Mercies, one of my favorite movies of all time.

Loved every minute of it, and the hymns took me back.

What a great guy!

[TheLion]

What a great guy. Duvall lives near me in The Plains, Virginia area. He used to hang out in a restuarant bar there that has long sinced closed. I talked to him for a half hour one night.

He later opened a resturant there and what an opening night party that was!

You should hear him talk about why he loves this part of Virginia....close to Middleburg. It is absolutely beautiful.

A friend of mine was at his house last week at a fund raiser for Guiliani.