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'Celebs' Use Stardom to Promote Army
Military.com email news update ^ | February 13, 2003 | Army News Service

Posted on 02/13/2003 8:06:16 AM PST by RetiredArmy

'Celebs' Use Stardom to Promote Army Army News Service, February 11, 2003

WASHINGTON -- Actor Sean Astin and wrestler Bradshaw are among celebrities who are using their stardom to increase troop morale and keep the military fresh in the minds of Americans.

Astin, who is known for his roles in "Rudy" and the "Lord of the Rings," visited the Pentagon Jan. 30 to record public service announcements thanking troops for their service and re-emphasizing America's trust in its military.

He also narrated an announcement to promote the Criminal Investigation Command, commonly known as CID, and asked interested soldiers to apply to the command if they are interested in becoming a CID Special Agent.

"There's a lot of different people and voices in America, and I don't mind letting my voice be heard," Astin said during an interview conducted at the Pentagon. "I learned from reading about Vietnam that no matter what you think politically about certain deployments, as a good citizen and a patriot it's your duty to appreciate that there are soldiers using their lives on your behalf as a citizen."

Although many may know that Astin has appeared in more than 25 motion pictures, few know that he has served as a civilian aide to the secretary of the Army since 1995. He served under Togo West, Louis Caldera and now the current Secretary of the Army Thomas White.

For protocol purposes Astin, as a civilian aide, is ranked just below a three-star general and is considered to be the secretary of the Army's personal representative in the California region. Part of the basis of a CASA's appointment is his ability to increase the public's understanding of the Army, and Astin said he tells the Army story to anyone who wants to know it.

"I'm in a position where I do whatever I can to support the Army," Astin said. "I've visited installations, and took the time to write 'thank-you' letters to business who had reserve-component soldiers to be mobilized."

In an unofficial capacity, Bradshaw has conducted countless interviews, worn Army apparel on TV and used his weekly program sponsored by World Wrestling Enterprise as a venue to talk about how the war is affecting its troops.

Bradshaw visited the Pentagon Feb. 4 and soldiers at Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington, D.C., who are recovering from wounds inflicted while supporting Operation Enduring Freedom. He was one of three performers who accompanied Sgt. Maj. of the Army Jack Tilley on a USO tour to Afghanistan, Uzbekistan and Kuwait during the Christmas holiday.

"During the USO trip, I told Sergeant Major Tilley that I regret not being a soldier," Bradshaw said. "He told me that, 'everyone has to find his own role and do what he can to support troops.'"

Both in and out of the ring, Bradshaw said his niche is telling Americans what life is like for soldiers on enemy territory.

"Video games have gotten so realistic now a lot of times people believe that soldiers are in some type of high-tech video game over there. That's not the case, we're putting men and women in the way of bullets.

"Despite the fact the Army does everything outstandingly well to take care of these soldiers, they're still out in the desert, away from families, and I don't care if they're staying in the Hilton, it's no place they want to be."

In the future, Bradshaw said he wants to film public service announcements also.

Astin's announcements will be seen on Armed Forces Radio and Television Stations.


TOPICS: Foreign Affairs; Front Page News
KEYWORDS: activistactors; army; bushsupporter; celebs
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To: HairOfTheDog
All things military can be found at Military.com. It is a great web site. You can sign up free and use the services there if you are a vet, family member, etc or just patriot. Good information, etc on that site. I signed up for their daily email up date. Check it out.
21 posted on 02/13/2003 9:33:15 AM PST by RetiredArmy
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To: RetiredArmy
I would like to forward this to TheOneRing.Net, which covers Lord of the Rings fan news. They covered Viggo's comments, and I would sure like for the fans to see this too.

But I can't find the story on the Military.com website... Do you know how to find the article there so I can send them the source?
22 posted on 02/13/2003 9:33:29 AM PST by HairOfTheDog
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To: HairOfTheDog; RMDupree; ksen; Alkhin; rightwingreligiousfanatic; Overtaxed; RosieCotton
So what does the "don't see LOTR because Viggo's a liberal airhead" crowd do now?
23 posted on 02/13/2003 9:35:35 AM PST by Corin Stormhands (HHD)
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To: Corin Stormhands; PatrioticAmerican
So what does the "don't see LOTR because Viggo's a liberal airhead" crowd do now?

Good question Corin.... I don't know. We tried to tell him about Sean Astin and John Ryse-Davies (as well as the movie themes being more important than one actor) at the time he was ranting about it!

24 posted on 02/13/2003 9:39:18 AM PST by HairOfTheDog
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To: Deb
If you get a chance, please tell Sean that we think he is a good egg!
25 posted on 02/13/2003 9:40:23 AM PST by HairOfTheDog
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To: HairOfTheDog
On a recent program (I don't remember which, but they were discussing politics & the war), Astin proclaimed he was a proud card carrying member of the Democrat Party.

Though I guess it's good to know we have some patriotic-minded Democrats out there.

26 posted on 02/13/2003 9:52:15 AM PST by dware (101 MUSSELS EATEN - OVER $2,000.00 RAISED FOR FREE REPUBLIC. Thank you Jim Robinson et al for FR!!!)
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To: dware
Sean Astin-what a pleasant surprise!

...Too bad he belongs to the wrong political party, though. He still could be added to the list of "good" celebrities.

He's the son of Patty Duke and John Astin (of "Addams Family" fame).

-Regards, T.
27 posted on 02/13/2003 10:04:53 AM PST by T Lady (.Freed From the Dimocratic Shackles since 1992)
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To: dware
I have seen him on a few of the late night shows recently, (Craig Kilborn especially) where he said he was a supporter of Bush regarding Iraq and the war on terror, and he didn't say he was a democrat that I heard, but you are right. I have friends who are democrats, and yet support our country in questions of defense and security.
28 posted on 02/13/2003 10:18:35 AM PST by HairOfTheDog
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To: RetiredArmy
It took some backbone on Astin's part to stand apart from the crowd of lamebrains...hope this won't hurt his career. I read he's also a producer/director, and that he's had a good response to a short film...? But I don't remember the details.
29 posted on 02/13/2003 10:23:38 AM PST by Mamzelle
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To: Core_Conservative
Nice, but...if he is "the equivalent of a three star general"...he's getting paid very close to $100K annually for this little side gig!
30 posted on 02/13/2003 10:49:39 AM PST by NMFXSTC
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To: Alkhin; sheltonmac; sola gracia; greenthumb
Thanks for the ping Alkhin :-D
31 posted on 02/13/2003 11:29:47 AM PST by Dawntreader (HHD)
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To: RetiredArmy
By the way, I did send this report to TheOneRing.net™, and they have posted it on their site.

'Celebs' Use Stardom to Promote Army
2/13/03, 2:32 pm EST - Xoanon

WASHINGTON -- Actor Sean Astin and wrestler Bradshaw are among celebrities who are using their stardom to increase troop morale and keep the military fresh in the minds of Americans. [More]

32 posted on 02/13/2003 12:05:55 PM PST by HairOfTheDog
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To: HairOfTheDog
Sam: I know. It's all wrong. By rights we shouldn't even be here. But we are. It's like in the great stories, Mr. Frodo. The ones that really mattered. Full of darkness and danger they were. And sometimes you didn't want to know the end. Because how could the end be happy? How could the world go back to the way it was when so much bad had happened? But in the end, it's only a passing thing, this shadow. Even darkness must pass. A new day will come. And when the sun shines, it will shine out the clearer. Those were the stories that stayed with you. That meant something, even if you were too small to understand why. But I think, Mr. Frodo, I do understand. I know now. Folk in those stories had lots of chances of turning back only they didn't. Because they were holding on to something.

Frodo: What are we holding on to, Sam?

Sam: There's some good in this world, Mr. Frodo. And it's worth fighting for.



33 posted on 02/13/2003 12:06:03 PM PST by Samwise
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To: Samwise
Thank you Samwise!
34 posted on 02/13/2003 12:07:38 PM PST by HairOfTheDog
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To: HighRoadToChina
The Twin Two Towers:
35 posted on 02/13/2003 1:41:47 PM PST by RMDupree (HHD:)
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To: HighRoadToChina
The Twin Two Towers:
36 posted on 02/13/2003 1:42:16 PM PST by RMDupree (HHD:)
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Oops! Sorry about the hiccup!
37 posted on 02/13/2003 1:42:43 PM PST by RMDupree (HHD:)
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To: Samwise
My FAVORITE part of the movie. Thank you for posting this.
38 posted on 02/13/2003 1:44:27 PM PST by rintense (Go Get 'Em Dubya!)
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To: NMFXSTC
Nice, but...if he is "the equivalent of a three star general"...he's getting paid very close to $100K annually for this little side gig!

That's for protocol purposes. All he probably gets out of it are some business cards and a plaque for his wall. Maybe a dinner at the White House some day.

39 posted on 02/13/2003 3:25:39 PM PST by 300winmag
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To: Samwise
How exact is your quote?
40 posted on 02/13/2003 7:37:13 PM PST by HighRoadToChina (Never Again!)
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