USO's Holiday Tour

This week has been a very good week. As we lead up to the Christmas Holiday, the USO, (United Service Organization), did a wonderful job uplifting the spirits of the soldiers that are deployed down-range. As you all have probably read in the news, the military is reassessing the Afghan mission. I personally welcome this, we have to fix what is wrong here. We have been plagued with a shortage of troops, as nations wrangle over continued support of this mission. Some of them support it with troops, but have special caveats on the use of their soldiers. You cannot win a war with one hand tied behind your back, and that is how I feel. We are continually asked to do more with less... only a few nations are really fighting the good fight, and others have their names on the roll.... Pictured above is Admiral Mike Mullen, the new Chairman of the Joint Chief of Staffs. This was his USO Holiday Tour... I also was able to get his coin. I have been able to get the coin of the last two Chairs of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, (General Pace and Admiral Mullen)... not many can say that....

Accompanying Admiral Mullen was five great Americans, Comedian Lewis Black, Tour de France Icon, Lance Armstrong, Miss USA- Rachel Smith, Entertainer Kid Rock, and the great Comedian, Actor, and Entertainer Robin Williams. This was an excellent way to get the troops to enjoy the Holidays in a small way. This was definitely the biggest USO event since my deployment. It was attended by hundreds... Pictured above is Miss USA Miss Rachel Smith a very humble lady.

Pictured above is Mr. Lance Armstrong. Lance overcame Cancer to go on and win the Tour de France for a fifth time. He is a great example of determination and perseverance that soldiers relate to. He also gave up a trip to Hawaii to come to Afghanistan to support soldiers.... WOW...

Pictured above is the great one himself.... Mr. Robin Williams, Comedian extraordinaire, Actor and Entertainer.... he really wowed the crowd. This was Robin's forth trip abroad to see the troops. You can tell he was passionate about his support and what we do for our country.. He appreciated our service almost as much as we appreciated him taking time out to come here to entertain us.....

Pictured above is none other than "Kid Rock". He is a very good entertainer, funny and talented... He spoke about his fight to Pamela Anderson's ex, Tommy Lee.... quite humorous.... but the troops loved it.... I personally did not realize his blues background....

Above Robin on the harmonica and Kid on the guitar show off their skills. This really was a great opportunity for soldiers to down-shift and relax a bit.... We are constantly reminding leaders to be aware of signs of stress and emotional behavioral changes, as the holiday season is the highest for stress and suicides. You know that this season was meant to show us the love of God and how he gave us his only and most precious son Jesus. This is season of love and reflection on the goodness of God.... I will leave you with this wish and prayer. It is MY wish that WE as a people can forget about what we don't' have and focus on how Blessed WE all are.... You know the Bible states that "it is harder for a Camel to get through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to go to heaven" Why? Many people with riches have no worries, they have little reason to trust in God, sad huh..... Many of the Afghan people look on Americans as these rich people.... We have constantly shown these people that WE care, thanks so much to the Blue Star Mothers Organization, Gateway Elementary School of Travelers Rest, SC, Trinity Presbyterian Church of Travelers Rest, The people of McCormick, SC, Joy Pescatore and the folks of Greenwood, SC for all the Care Packages sent here to Afghanistan for the people of Afghanistan, and others that are too many to name. So many have given of their time, money and love to show the people of Afghanistan that we as a people love God and believe in Him. And we want to share some of God's Blessings upon us to THEM..... I love each and everyone of you. I thank God for you and for your support and prayers.... May God Continue to Bless us all.........