American late night TV star David Letterman visits U.S. base in southern Afghanistan

Associated Press ^ | 12-25-02 | TODD PITMAN

[Oldeconomybuyer]

BAGRAM, Afghanistan (AP) -- American late night TV star David Letterman spent Christmas Day with U.S. troops at a rugged desert base in southern Afghanistan where coalition forces have been hunting down suspected terrorists for a year, the military said.

[Oldeconomybuyer]

Merry Christmas & Happy New Year!

[Oldeconomybuyer]

Wed Dec 25, 7:52 AM ET

Sgt. First Class Smiddie, left, of Birmingham, Ala.; Master Sgt. Kevin, center, of Trussville, Ala.; and Major John, of Naples, Fla.; of the U.S. Army Special Forces enliven Christmas with their holiday costumes while manning their post Wednesday, Dec . 25, 2002, at Bagram Air Base in Afghanistan (news - web sites). Christmas Day is another working day to members of the coalition forces against terrorism in the country. Their last names were not given. (AP Photo/Pat Roque)

Wed Dec 25, 8:03 AM ET

A group of U.S. female soldiers sing carols to members of the coalition forces having their dinner in celebration of Christmas Wednesday, Dec. 25, 2002 at Bagram Air Base in Afghanistan (news - web sites). For thousands of members of the coalition forces who were fighting terror in Afghanistan, Christmas Day is just another working day. (AP Photo/Pat Roque)

Wed Dec 25, 3:30 AM ET

Corporal Nathan Jones, left, of Indianapolis, talks to a member of the Afghan Army wearing Santa's hat Wednesday, Dec. 25, 2002, at Bagram Air Base, Afghanistan (news - web sites). For thousands of members of the coalition forces who were fighting terror in Afghanistan, Christmas is just another working day. (AP Photo/Pat Roque)

Tue Dec 24,10:34 PM ET

U.S. soldiers stationed on a rooftop dress for Christmas at Bagram Air Base near Kabul, December 25, 2002. U.S. soldiers serving in Afghanistan (news - web sites) celebrated the birth of Christ with prayers and hymms and Christmas dinner. REUTERS/Ahmad Masood

Tue Dec 24,12:32 PM ET

Coalition soldiers reads the bible during the Protestant service on Christmas eve Tuesday, Dec. 24, 2002 at Bagram Air Base in Afghanistan (news - web sites).(AP Photo/Pat Roque)

Tue Dec 24, 6:21 AM ET

U.S. Army Sgt. Roland Spano Jr. of Baton Rouge, La., dressed as Santa Claus greets shoppers at the new building of the post exchange store Tuesday, Dec. 24, 2002 at Bagram Air Base in Afghanistan (news - web sites). Soldiers stationed at the base do their shopping at the store for their celebration of Christmas. (AP Photo/Pat Roque)

Mon Dec 23,12:20 PM ET

A mother comforts her child who became frightened during a visit by a British soldier dressed as Santa Claus at the Indira Gandhi Children's Hospital in Kabul, Afghanistan (news - web sites), Monday, Dec. 23, 2002. British soldiers distributed toys to children at the hospital. (AP Photo/Manish Swarup)

[Bombard]

GOD BLESS THEM ALL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[SAMWolf]

Christmas with the troops bump

[dwilli]

Letterman suprisedly has always been a strong supporter of all our armed forces. There is no show on television that has the military frequently visable as does Letterman.

[Soaring Feather]

Christmas with the troops bump

[Alberta's Child]

Great story and photos. And a Merry Christmas to you and yours, Sam.

(though I must point out that the AP caption on the last photo is incorrect. That soldier is not dressed as Santa Claus -- anyone with half a brain knows that he is clearly an elf! LOL!!)

[SAMWolf]

Click on the Wolf For Snoopy's Christmas

[dennisw]

Allright!!!! And props to our men and women and Dave !!!!!

[patriciaruth]

Hear Letterman's going to Korea this weekend.

What's WITH that?

[Tony in Hawaii]

That was a joke.