Entertainers give 256th a holiday treat

[sunny]

From the Baton Rouge Advocate

Entertainers give 256th a holiday treat

Acadiana bureau

NFL Hall of Fame quarterback John Elway, seated, autographs a football Tuesday for soldiers of the 256th Infantry Brigade at a USO Handshake Tour at Camp Liberty in Iraq. Elway was one of several celebrities, including comedian Robin Williams, who visited the troops. Louisiana's Tiger Brigade got a treat Tuesday in Baghdad in the form of a visit from some celebrities.

Actor-comedian Robin Williams, former Denver Broncos quarterback John Elway, actor Blake Clark and model Lee Ann Tweeden visited Camp Tigerland as part of the USO tour.

Williams, who received an Oscar nomination for his portrayal of a disc jockey assigned to a U.S. Armed Services Radio station in "Good Morning Vietnam," began his performance with an altered version of the film's familiar refrain: "Gooood Morning Baghdad!"

Spc. Erin Robicheaux of the 256th Combat Brigade's Public Affairs Team in Iraq filed a story about the celebrities' visit with the troops.

The performance from Williams, "the master of hilarity was above and beyond the call of duty," she wrote. From the word go, Williams was all about giving the troops a good show.

Tweeden said that ever since she was a little girl, she knew of the USO but didn't really understand what it was all about.

She has always known who Bob Hope was, but never realized the impact of what he and numerous entertainers did for their country, she said.

Tweeden said she understood after she was given the opportunity to make armed forces personnel, like her father, smile. Her father was in the Air Force and served in Vietnam, so she felt a personal obligation to do this when she was first approached about it three years ago, Tweeden said.

"I'm not scared enough to not go and show my support," she said.

Elway, a member of the Professional Football Hall of Fame, said he, too, was glad to be a part of the experience.

"I'm truly proud to say that I'm an American because of you," he said to the troops.

Elway also recognized the soldiers who preceded them in Operation Iraqi Freedom III and the veterans of the Vietnam War.

"You are what America is about."

Elway said when he was asked to participate in a USO Tour, he wasn't sure why he was asked, but it soon became apparent.

"I can't sing, I can't dance, and I'm not pretty, but I can still chuck some footballs!" he said, then doing just that into a crowd full of excited soldiers.

In addition to playing in various movies and roles, Blake Clark also was a platoon leader in Vietnam. Clark is known for his role in "The Waterboy," as the assistant coach with the unintelligible "Cajun" accent. He's from Georgia, so backwoods humor is a big part of his act.

His routine included references to the Clinton administration, the Martha Stewart scandal, and the fact America still can't catch Osama Bin Laden, even though he is 6 feet 6 inches tall and has a kidney infection.

"All you have to do is find a camel hooked up to a dialysis machine and you've got him," Clark said.

The tour was a success for the entertainers and a welcome morning of fun for the soldiers based at Camp Liberty, Robicheaux said.

There are 4,000 soldiers in the Tiger Brigade, about 3,000 from Louisiana. Units from New York, Minnesota, Washington, Wisconsin and Illinois are attached to the brigade.

[alicia-w]

Robin Williams is the greatest about that stuff... What a great treat!

[pojo]

Our unit (440th Airlift Wing)) received word of the Robin Williams USO tour. I am assigned to the Aerial Port Squadron (34th APS) with my unit and we are the first ones to 'meet and greet' the USO people and the last ones to see them leave... they are wonderful for going overseas to entertain my commrades in the Armed Forces.

*** I have not enjoyed their entertainment because I have yet to be deployed... however that might change... more details to come.***