Soldiers with the 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division, pose with Current World Wrestling Entertainment Tag-Team Champion Edge, during the WWE visit to Forward Operating Base Warhorse. Other WWE stars in attendance were Randy Orton, Torrie Wilson, Carlito, Chris Masters and Jeff Hardy. (U.S. Army photo by Spc. Ryan Stroud, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division Public Affairs)
World Wrestling Entertainment star Torrie Wilson autographs a chair for the Soldiers of the 3rd Grey Wolf Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division, during the wrestlers visit to Forward Operating Base Warhorse
While a Soldier from the 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division, poses with Current World Wrestling Entertainment Tag-Team Champion Randy Orton, another Soldier takes their picture. Other members of the WWE partook in a meet-and-greet, signing autographs and taking pictures, with the Grey Wolf Brigade
Torrie Wilson, a World Wrestling Entertainment star, meets with a group of Soldiers
WWE Lays ‘Smack Down’ on ‘Grey Wolf’
By Spc. Ryan Stroud, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division Public Affairs
Dec 9, 2006 – 4:58:19 PM
BAQUBAH, Iraq — The Soldiers of the 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division, were treated with a visit from some of the World Wrestling Entertainment’s biggest stars: World Tag-Team Champions Edge and Randy Orton, Carlito, Jeff Hardy, Chris Masters and Torrie Wilson, at Forward Operating Base Warhorse.
The wrestlers took time out of their schedule to spend an afternoon with the Soldiers of “Grey Wolf,” all in hopes of raising the Soldiers morale.
“We wanted to come out here to build morale,” said Jeff Hardy, a former Tag-Team Champion. “This means the world to me that we are here, I just hope it means the world to the Soldiers also.”
“WWE has come out here so we can be a part of a meet-and-greet with them,” said Spc. Steven San Agustin, Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 3rd BCT.
“This was a cool experience,” added the native of Dededo, Guam. “They gave out t-shirts, coins, magazines and other items for us to have as souvenirs.”
The wrestlers stood at tables as the excited Soldiers swarmed for their chance to meet their favorite star. Each wrestler signed autographs and posed with the elated Soldiers.
“The wrestlers were really humble and happy to sign things and pose for pictures with us,” said San Agustin. “It seemed they were willing to do whatever it took to make the Soldiers happy.”
“This whole experience was great,” he added. “Meeting the wrestlers gives us a good memory of being in Iraq and that’s really important.”
“It means a lot that they are here,” said Pvt. James Johnson, Company A, 215th Brigade Support Battalion, and a native of San Antonio.
“They are taking time out of their schedule just to come out here and spend some time with us,” he continued. “It really makes a difference in our morale.”
Johnson also added he appreciated the risk the wrestlers have taken to come spend time with the Soldiers.
“When they come out here, they put themselves at risk just so we can meet them and get some pictures, that’s really special,” said Johnson. “We do appreciate it. I know I will remember this for a long while.”
Hardy said the risk was well worth it just to see the excitement from the Soldiers.
“This is a great experience,” said Hardy. “It’s my first time over here and I’m getting dirty and loving every minute of this.”
“I hope the Soldiers get an excitement out of this,” he continued. “I hope we brought them some joy. This trip was well worth it.”
“But most importantly,” said Hardy, “we want them to know we are just like them and appreciate what they do over here. We’re all apart of the same team and we love what they do for us and our country.”
Wild Thing’s comment…..
Things like this are so wonderful, I know our troops love to have people come to see them and entertain them. I wish more people would do this. And the ones that do go to thank our troops in person I can promise them they will have the best memories of all for the rest of their lives.
Thank you to all our troops and to their loved ones.
Tori Wilson….Oh Man!!!
I was working the flightline of Norton, AFB when Bob Hope flew in on a C-141. All the VIP’s were there to greet him but before he did, he walked around the aircraft and thanked the ground crew for their work. After all, he knew it was the flightcrew and maintenance folks that got him their safely, not the VIP’s.
I’m glad there are still people out there willing to go see our boys and girls in uniform and give them something fun to do!
They deserve it–they’re away from their families and friends and they don’t ask for much.
Thanks to all those who give our boys and girls a treat once in awhile. You’re wonderful.
I am sure not into wrestling, but I thank these men and women for visiting our warriors. I absolutely know how envigorating it is to be visited and entertained by stars, as well as ordinary Americans. A simple visit like this, or a letter or little token gift of thought, from a fellow American citizen is enough to help motivate a trooper and remind him/her that all things American are worth fighting for.
Thank You World Wrestling Entertainment!
Bob, Bob Hope was so sincere and truly loved our military. Thank you so much for sharing about what happened at Norton, AFB. That is wonderful!
Lynn, I agree, it makes my heart smile.
Tom, you are so right about how it feels. And even just knowing about it makes me happy to know this is going on for our troops.
I just love to see how happy visits like
this as you said from celebs and non celebs make our troops,one of those really feel good things in life or happy memories for them.
I bet the toilets were clogged up with wads of sloppy socks after hottie Tori Wilson greeted troops with all her cleavage