Hollywood Megastar Fires Up 101st Soldiers
By Pfc. Thomas Day / 40th Public Affairs Detachment
“I didn’t see enough people coming out here and supporting the troops,” said Willis, who was born on a military base in Germany in 1955. Willis’ visit was the 101st’s first goodwill visit from a Hollywood celebrity.
“Back home, the news is manipulated … by people who would like the American people to believe the war is unpopular. It’s not unpopular, especially with the Iraqi indigenous people that are being helped,” Willis said. “This is the War on Terrorism, it’s worth fighting for.”
The “Hart’s War” and “Tears of the Sun” actor, both films that deal with the military, clearly enjoyed himself playing in front of the audience of homesick soldiers.
“I wanted to sign up and fight with you guys, but they told me I was too old,” he quipped. Willis also used some colorful language when describing what he would do if he had “four minutes with Saddam.”
Willis ate a late lunch with Command Sgt. Maj. Marvin Hill, the top 101st Airborne Division enlisted soldier, before flying around the division’s area of operation in a CH-47 Chinook helicopter to meet the “Screaming Eagles.” The busy day ended for Willis and his band after a one-hour concert in front of several hundred 3rd Brigade, 101st Airborne soldiers in Tall Afar.
Actor Bruce Willis performs with his blues band "Bruce Willis and the Accelerators" in front of an audience of 3rd Brigade, 101st Airborne Division soldiers. U.S. Army photo by Pfc. Thomas Day, 40th Public Affairs Detachment
Col. Michael Linnington, 3rd Brigade commander, introduced Willis before his band’s set and afterwards presented him with a 101st Airborne Division flag. Willis also dawned Linnington’s desert uniform top for the show after the brigade commander’s name and rank were appropriately removed.
Willis left after his performance with a simple message for the 101st soldiers: “Stay safe and God bless you all.”
Actor Bruce Willis looks out of a CH-47 helicopter after landing at a 101st Airborne Division compound.U.S. Army photo by Pfc. Thomas Day, 40th Public Affairs Detachment
BAGHDAD, Iraq — On the same day United Nations officials flew out of Baghdad, Drew Carey flew in Friday, commanding a company of comedians on a mission to entertain U.S. troops.
"I love Baghdad," Carey said. "You have camels, bugs and everything's served up with a big dirty glass of water. Sorry. If there's any locals here tonight, I'm just joking around. We're very grateful for all the hospitality you've shown," he said sarcastically.
Baghdad's Convention Center was transformed into the most heavily armed comedy club in the world Friday night for nearly 2,000 U.S. troops. Earlier Friday, the U.N. began downsizing its staff because of recent bombings in Iraq's capital.
But that didn't scare away Carey and five other comedians including Kathy Kinney, who plays Mimi on The Drew Carey Show. Many of the jokes poked fun at the hardships U.S. troops are facing in Iraq.
Carey, a longtime supporter of the USO, chatted about his recent Lasik eye surgery and his 2001 heart surgery. "I had an angioplasty and a stent. The same thing that Dick Cheney had, only they left my heart in."
Kinney appeared in slacks and long shirt, sans her trademark heavy makeup. "How cool is it that (the USO) is here? In World War II they brought Betty Grable. In the Korean War it was Marilyn Monroe. Vietnam, Raquel Welch. And you get me ... Ain't life grand?"
Holding up a copy of USA TODAY, Kinney pretended to update soldiers on the news back home. "I know you think that everything that's happening here is front-page news. No. Front page: J. Lo and Ben. Important stuff. It's off, it's on, it's off, they're back together," she said to a roar of boos. "I know that you've been here for a long time. But the longer you're here, the closer the Olsen Twins get to being 18 years old. June 13, 2004. They're worth like ... $50 billion between the two of them, but I bet they couldn't decorate your tents as good as I could."
Carey and Kinney weren't the only Hollywood stars in town. Touring with his band The Accelerators, actor Bruce Willis entertained troops in Iraq and Kuwait last week and through the weekend. On Sunday Willis gave a rock concert at Camp Arifjan in Kuwait. Last week the action star told troops in northern Iraq: "We're here to support you. If you can catch him, just give me four seconds with Saddam Hussein."