Myers, USO Troupe Visit Troops in Kuwait

By Jim Garamone
American Forces Press Service

KUWAIT CITY, Aug. 16, 2005 – It was 118 degrees in the shade, and there was precious little of that as the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and a troupe of USO performers visited servicemembers here today.

Comedians Colin Quinn, left, and Jeffrey Ross flank Air Force Staff Sgt. Clack in Kuwait Aug. 16 on one of the stops for a USO tour being led by Air Force Gen. Richard B. Myers, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. Photo by Staff Sgt. D. Myles Cullen, USAF   (Click photo for screen-resolution image);high-resolution image available.

Air Force Gen. Richard B. Myers is in the midst of a 10-day trip to assess morale. He and sports personality and model Leeann Tweeden, legendary Chicago Bears running back Gale Sayers, and comedians Jeffrey Ross and Colin Quinn thanked troops for their service and their sacrifices.

Myers and the entertainers have visited Wiesbaden, Germany; Camp Bondsteel in Serbia and Montenegro's Kosovo province; and two bases here. Temperatures on the tour have ranged from cold and rain in Kosovo to crushing heat in Kuwait.

The show has settled into a routine. The general thanks the troops and introduces Leeann Tweeden, who acts as emcee. Tweeden, making her seventh USO trip, including two previously with the chairman, thanks the troops and reassures them that Americans fully support them.

Tweeden introduces Sayers, and the pro football hall of famer tells the servicemembers what they are doing is important and speaks to the importance of being on a team. Sayers, whose stellar career was cut short by injuries, speaks of the need for drive and focus and praises the men and women for their commitment.

Following Sayers, Ross, who specializes in quick, off-the-cuff remarks, takes the stage. Ross, who studied film in college, is on his second USO tour. He produced an award-winning movie of his previous trip.

Ross is followed by Saturday Night Live alum Colin Quinn. Brooklyn born and bred, Quinn takes the audience by storm and never fails to hit the mark.

Following the show, Myers and the celebrities meet with the servicemembers to sign autographs, stand for pictures, or just shake hands.

Then it's on to the next show.