Posted on 12/21/2007 5:11:23 AM PST by RDTF
KABUL, Afghanistan — Robin Williams and Lance Armstrong took a swipe at the French, Kid Rock strummed "Sweet Home Alabama," comedian Lewis Black grumbled about the falling snow, and Miss USA told the troops to keep "kicking butt."
Some 500 American soldiers watched an all-star USO cast perform amid a steady snowstorm at a U.S. base in Kabul late Thursday. The stop was part of a six-day, 14-show tour that saw the entertainers begin their day with a performance in Iraq.
The audience of soldiers — bundled in hooded jackets and warm hats — stood in the snow before a makeshift stage waiting for Williams and company to arrive after the performers were delayed by rough weather. Adm. Mike Mullen, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, who was traveling with the group, took the microphone first, telling the soldiers it was a tough time to be away from home.
"We brought a few celebrities tonight to try and lift your spirits," he said before introducing Miss USA, Rachel Smith, to a burst of cheers.
Armstrong, a seven-time winner of the Tour de France, told the soldiers that the entertainers had gotten stuck in Tikrit, Iraq, because of a sandstorm and had to bunk in the same room.
Black started snoring 60 seconds after the lights were turned out, Armstrong said.
"Then Robin was above me snoring, so all night I was punching the bunk trying to get him to stop," he said.
Williams, a USO veteran making his fourth trip to Af-ghanistan, told the soldiers he woke up on Thursday in the desert sands of Iraq and closed out his day with snow in Kabul. "From sand to snow, Mother Nature is having hot flashes."
Then he took a dig at the French. "They're the only people who go into combat wearing a chef's hat. It's amazing," he said.
Rock, who performed on acoustic guitar and had soldiers sing the chorus to "Sweet Home Alabama," said he volunteers for the sake of the soldiers.
"I'm here for one reason — to entertain these guys," he said in an interview after the show. "To be a source of entertainment, give them a slice of home. How can you not come?"
"Especially at Christmas," Williams said, "to let people know they're not forgotten."
Smith, who was born on a military base in Panama and became Miss Tennessee, said she wanted to give something back because she knows what the troops are going through. She said the troops' work was invaluable.
"We wouldn't have the opportunities and freedoms that we have back at home if you guys weren't over here kicking butt," Smith said.
Good to them for entertaining the troops.
Miss USA, Rachel Smith
She wore that?!
*snicker*
she really braved the elements!
off with her head!!!!!!!!!!!!
nicer touch
Mayra Veronica was there last month.
http://www.uso.org/gallery/details.aspx?id=173
Much better eye candy -— for the troops.
The title of that makes me wanna barf — how about “Troops brave sand and snow to see a USO show.” And guess what? When the show’s over the USO Troupe goes home — the Troops stay.
And for that, alone, I give Mr. Williams' politics a pass.
Geez, Louise! What a Grinch. Take a chill pill.
Agreed. He kinda has bitchin' rights.
No apologies from me — the fact that the USO Troupe gets the billing just aggravates me — it shows a bias in the media toward hero status for our entertainment industry, rather than for the troops they are there to entertain. And my name isn’t Louise. ;-)
Are the troops happy that they are there?
Yes!
Ergo, I am happy.
Having had the experience of the USO showing up to perform while I was in active service, its a good break from the day to day routine at sea.
I dno’t agree with the politics of many who have performed, like Robin Williams, but I RESPECT the fact they are doing this.
As somebody above said, he has ‘bitchin rights’ as far as I’m concerned.
Your point is taken, and I’m glad they went. I just don’t believe that they are heroes for doing so.
If the USO tried to decide who would go base on someone’s poltical check-list, they, let me repeat T-H-E-Y - the troops - would be getting Pat Boone and Anita Bryant.
From “Good Morning Vietnam”
Lt. Steven Hauk: Furthermore, you are to stick to playing normal modes of music, not weird stuff. Those who we’d find acceptable here would include Lawrence Welk, Jim Nabors, Mantovani...
Adrian Cronauer: ...Percy Faith...
Lt. Steven Hauk: Percy Faith... good!... Andy Williams, Perry Como, and certain ballads by Mr. Frank Sinatra.
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