Celebrity performers entertain troops

Multi-National Force - Iraq ^ | Sgt. Lindsey Bradford, USA

[SandRat]

Kid Rock jumps during the performance of his hit song "Bawitdaba” during the 2009 “Tour for the Troops” event on Sather Air Base, Baghdad, Dec. 4. Pop newcomer Jessie James and comedian Carlos Mencia also entertained hundreds of troops at the event, aimed at boosting troop morale. Photo by Sgt. Lindsey Bradford, Multi-National Corps – Iraq.

BAGHDAD — More than 1,000 U.S. service members packed an open field on a chilly Baghdad day, Dec. 4, to watch the 2009 “Tour for the Troops” at Sather Air Base.

Pop newcomer Jessie James, comedian Carlos Mencia and rebel rocker Kid Rock took part in the event sponsored by the Air Force Reserve.

James, whose father is a colonel in the Air Force, said that the tour holds a special place in her heart because she knows military life very well.

"I've lived in 14 different places my whole life, and loved every part of it," she said. "I've wanted to do this my whole life and I'm very glad to be here."

For funny man Carlos Mencia, the tour was a way to thank the people who serve day in, day out to protect his freedoms as an American, he said. Mencia was born in Honduras, a fact he joked about quite often during his 40-minute stand up act, and came to America for a better life.

"You guys are the reason I'm able to be up on this stage saying whatever I want to," Mencia said, referring to his 1st Amendment right to free speech as an American citizen. This was Mencia's second trip to Baghdad to entertain service members.

As the sun set and the laughs died down, roars of excitement echoed off the T-walls surrounding the field as troops prepared themselves for Kid Rock. As he walked on stage, service members jumped to their feet — screaming, throwing their arms up and chanting "Kid! Kid!"

"This is the most sober crowd I've ever played for," he joked before opening his set with trademark song, "Bawitdaba."

Kid Rock is no stranger to performing in Iraq; this tour marked his sixth visit to the country to provide troops with a way to relax from a typical day.

The fact that it was shortly after Thanksgiving and relatively close to other holidays was no coincidence, said Air Force Reserve Public Affairs Officer, Air Force Lt. Col. Ann Knabe.

“Tour for the Troops,” formally known as “Operation Seasons Greetings,” is a way for well-known entertainers to show their appreciation and serve as a morale booster to service members for the job they are doing overseas, Knabe said.

Sather AB was the third stop on the 12-day, seven-show tour. Before arriving in Baghdad, the tour made stops in Turkey and Kirkuk, Iraq. From here, they will have two stops in southwest Asia, one in Germany and one in England.

"You think about how they have been travelling constantly, in different time zones, to do seven shows in only 12 days. They've put in an amazing effort and it's turned out great," Knabe said.

For one Marine, it proved to be an exciting and memorable day.

"I've never been to a concert in my entire life," said Marine 1st Lt. Robert Yanez. "I've been deployed for one year, and to see this while it was here was awesome."

Yanez, a Multi-National Force -West liaison officer serving in the Multi-National Corps - Iraq Joint Operations Center, said the show was a way for service members to relax and enjoy their day. He said it helps them see that they aren't here for nothing, because people back in the United States truly appreciate the sacrifices they have made.

"You know, these artists could be touring back home, making millions, but instead they are here with us right now. It's amazing," Yanez said.

[SandRat]

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[robomatik]

kid rockWarrior. a song for the National Guard.

[ConorMacNessa]

Cheers for these loyal Americans!

Lamh Foistenach Abu!

[Harold Shea]

A great big salute for these people.

Nothing like being far from home in a dangerous
place and getting to go to a show and for a little
while forgetting the people that you miss and the danger.

I`ve got a cousin deploying with 3/24 Marine,I`m
so proud of him

[Tailback]

Like his music or not, Kid Rock has done a lot of performances for the servicemen and women in the sandbox. Kid Rock was doing a tour while I was over there in 2007-08 and the reports I got back was that he put on a great show.

Carlos Mencia was great as well, I got to see his show and my face hurt afterwards from laughing so much. There were so many folks wanting to see his show that he voluntarily did a second performance so nobody missed out. Then he signed autographs for about 4 hours after. I think he was up for over 24 hours that day all for the sake of lifting our spirits.

These performers don’t get enough credit for what they do.

[robomatik]

Prayer’s up for your cousin and his safety!