Show Of Support

Ok, so I just BAWLED my way through the WWE Holiday Tribute to the Troops DVD's. Yep, BAWLED!!

But for anyone who has never seen it, it is an amazing look at the young men and women who make up the US Armed Forces. I think no matter what the politics or beliefs, anyone who is willing to go to a war zone to entertain the troops deserves our respect. These people are putting themselves in harms way to show their support to those who fight for the freedoms we so enjoy. But these DVD's didn't just show a few wrestling matches and the usual day time soapie drama we usually attribute to the WWE. Not by a long shot.

What we see is the stars of the WWE mixing with the Troops, hanging out with them. I remember a couple of Soldiers I know telling me about their own experience with the WWE when they visited while they were deployed. These boys encouraged me to get the DVD (to see them) but to see what an awesome experience this was for them. What I saw just continuously brought me to tears.

Young Soldiers talking about the babies they have yet to see, the wives and girlfriends they are missing, the children taking steps, starting school, winning soccer games without them. One female Soldier talks of her husband who is also in the forces who is on the opposite rotation to her and the extended period of time they will spend apart. They hold up signs asking girlfriends to marry them, sending their love and support to those back home. If this doesn't warm your heart you don't have one.

Ok, so for me this is the jackpot in DVD form. Soldiers and Wrestling in one (double) DVD!! But to see these Troops so excited, cheering and smiling is just such an awesome sight.

Think I'll have to build the Snakepit so we can do the same.....

Watch out, AC's on a mission!!

Anyway, amazing what a little research can uncover. I found the following on a WWE website.

About WWE's Support of Our Troops... WWE Superstars regularly visit military bases and hospitals, including Walter Reed Army Medical Center and Bethesda Naval Hospital, to bolster the morale of our troops. Since 2003, the WWE has produced WWE’s Holiday Tribute to the Troops with WWE Superstars performing before troops in Iraq and Afghanistan. In 2004, the USO of Metropolitan Washington presented WWE with the first ever “Legacy of Hope” award for our extensive support of our troops and the USO’s Operation Care Package program. WWE is also a proud supporter of the National Guard’s ChalleNGe program which assists underprivileged youth obtain their GED or other technical trades. Foley Meets American Heroes As he has for the last several years, Mick Foley was a special guest at the USO of Metropolitan Washington’s annual dinner in Washington, D.C., on March 25. WWE is a long-time supporter of USO Metro, and WWE Vice President Gary Davis is a member of its Board of Directors. USO Metro awarded the WWE its Legacy of Hope Award for its ongoing support of our men and women in uniform. Mick has developed a special relationship with the USO chapter, regularly visiting Walter Reed and Bethesday Naval military hospitals to give hope and a few laughs for the military wounded recovering there. Mick was joined at the dinner by Miss America 2008 Kirsten Haglund, Daniel Rodriguez "America's Beloved Tenor", and Jon Stewart, host of Comedy Central's “The Daily Show” and an avid supporter of the troops who regularly visits Walter Reed and Bethesda Naval hospitals. Stewart received the USO’s Metro’s Merit Award at the dinner. During the day, Mick spent time with Stewart and Miss America visiting Walter Reed and Arlington Cemetery. Mick said the dinner was one of the best he has ever attended. “There was such emotion this year, with 34 Medal of Honor winners in attendance, and some amazing testimonials from young men wounded in Iraq,” said Mick. “Supporting the USO and visiting our wounded heroes is something I find immensely rewarding and I intend to keep doing if for as long as I can.” Photo caption: Mick with American heroes Erick Lieb, Brent Hendrix, Jeff Lynch and Andrew Kinard More here...

Oh, and did we all know members of the US Armed Forces can get FREE tickets to Raw and Smackdown shows?? Details on the site!!

Anyway, check it out...

AC

Just a quick footnote...

I have to say, one of the most stirring sites I have ever seen is a Soldier standing to attention while their national anthem plays.