No Fancy Venues, But the USO Stars Rock (in Afghanistan)

DOD ^ | 12-17-08 | Jim Garamone

[STARWISE]

This year’s Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff USO Holiday Tour has played at an aircraft hangar in Germany, in a maintenance facility and in an in-processing facility here in Afghanistan.

The tour’s stars -- Kid Rock, Kellie Pickler, Lewis Black, Tichina Arnold, Zac Brown, Kathleen Madigan and John Bowman -- have played far more prestigious venues, but probably none as appreciative. And their usual audiences generally don’t get this warning:

“In case of a rocket attack, let’s do what we always do – hit the ground and count to 100,” Army Brig. Gen. John Nicholson, deputy commanding general for stability at Regional Command South, told the audience here. “If it continues, the performers will leave, and you will leave to take shelter. But when the all-clear sounds, they will come back and you will come back, and they’ll pick up where they left off.”

The performers rocked at every show. U.S. troopsand their allies got world-class entertainment under challenging conditions. Joint Chiefs Chairman Navy Adm. Mike Mullen said the performers are national treasures who came for the purpose of saying thanks to the servicemembers, and giving them a little touch of America.

Kid Rock worked his appreciation for the servicemembers into his “If I Were President” blues song. He told them, “As long as you are out here, you can count on me to keep coming back.”

In the middle of Kathleen Madigan’s performance in Kandahar, the all-clear siren sounded. She wasn’t sure what the siren meant, but she kept right on with her bit, incorporating it seamlessly into her comedy.

The comedians kept the audiences roaring, and servicemembers sang along with Kid Rock’s, Kellie Pickler’s and Zac Brown’s songs.

“It was freaking awesome,” said Army Spec. John Barnett, who saw the show at Forward Operating Base Sharana in Paktika Province. “Not too many people come out here – it really is the middle of nowhere -- so we all really appreciate it.”

“These guys could be having fun back with their families – it is the holiday season,” said Air Force Staff Sgt. Annette Gant, who caught the show here. “Instead, they are with us. We can’t thank them enough.”

Mullen told servicemembers at every stop that he appreciates their sacrifices and those of their families.

“Thank you for volunteering at a very crucial time in our nation’s history,” he said. “Thank you for all you do for our country and for the people of Afghanistan.”

In an interview later, Mullen said the universal comment from servicemembers when he meets them is an expression of thanks for bringing the entertainers to perform for them.

“It’s something that they will remember for life, and I hope that as the years go by they remember and do something for USO,” he said.

[STARWISE]

American Idol contestant and country musician Kellie Pickler and rock star Kid Rock entertain the troops stationed at Kandahar, Afghanistan, Dec. 17, during the 2008 USO Holiday Tour.

Comedian Kathleen Madigan and musician Zack Brown entertain troops stationed at Kandahar, Afghanistan, Dec. 17, during the 2008 USO Holiday Tour.

Grammy award-winning musician Kid Rock signs autographs after performing at Bagram Air Base, Afghanistan, Dec. 17, during the 2008 USO Holiday Tour.

U.S. Army troops stationed at Forward Operating Base Sharana, Afghanistan, enjoy the comedy of Lewis Black, Dec. 17, during the 2008 USO Holiday Tour.

Actress Tichina Arnold, musician Zack Brown, Grammy award-winning musician Kid Rock, comedian Kathleen Madigan, American Idol contestant and country musician Kellie Pickler and comedians John Bowman and Lewis Black pose for photos with servicemembers, Dec. 17, after performing at the 2008 USO Holiday Tour in Kandahar, Afghanistan.

[STARWISE]

~~God bless our troops .. PING!

[ScreamingFist]

Wonderful! God bless the troops and these patriotic entertainers......

[knittnmom]

Thanks - they’re doing good work there. Hope Obama doesn’t undo it all.

[AirForceMom]

Very nice, Thank you for the ping. God Bless them all!

[BamaDi]

Zac Brown has a number one song on the country charts called Chicken Fried and in it he salutes the military....Country artists love this country and especially love the military. This is Pickler’s second trip over - and to think she started out being insulted on American Idoll by Simon....she’s a great one!

[peace with honor]

WOW, what a GREAT READ and a GREAT DEED

[weegee]

I have to say that I am surprised to see Lewis Black’s involvement but as long as none of the participants are doing a Fonda-Sutherland styled FTA (as opposed to USO) tour, I welcome all who will go over and entertain the troops. I think the same of Robin Williams.

[weegee]

Rock Ping

[Phoenix11]

Chicken Fried is my favorite song out right now and I have it as my ringtone and as an answer tone. That song epitomizes my life and this whole area.

God Bless Our Troops!

[Badeye]

I always keep in mind ‘who showed up’ for the USO tours...becasue down the road one or more will do or say something stupid.

They get the pass from me when it inevitably will occur, because they are giving of themselves for a worthy cause, for no pay at all.

Cathy Griffin comes to mind. Yep, I know, I know, she pisses us all off about four times a year with ‘something’.

But she ‘showed up’ in Iraq, and I think Afghanistan, more than once.

Nobody will confuse her with Bob Hope, but thats my view on one of the more controversial entertainers, that ‘showed up when it counted’.

Flame away if you feel the need.

[E.G.C.]

BTTT

[Dr. Ursus]

Gary Sinise got a Presidential Citizens Medal in part for
his USO work and charity work in Iraq. His charity is
Operation Iraqi children.

[Doctor Raoul]

I have to say that I am surprised to see Lewis Black’s involvement but as long as none of the participants are doing a Fonda-Sutherland styled FTA (as opposed to USO) tour, I welcome all who will go over and entertain the troops.

Franken couldn't keep the political BS under wraps when he did his tour.

[facedown]

bump

[max americana]

Thanks for that post. Love Kid Rock’s music and my GF loves Kelli Pickler.

[silent_jonny]

Nice :)

[retrokitten]

Very cool! thanks for the ping!

BTW, a month until AI starts back up :-)

[silent_jonny]

That’s right :) I saw an ad for it the other day with the new girl at the table. She takes the pressure off Paula, LOL

[retrokitten]

Paula can now just nap under the table. ;-)