| World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) Chairman Vince McMahon, Superstars and Divas take their show to U.S. troops stationed in Iraq December 4-8. Hosted by Armed Forces Entertainment, the tour marks the fifth holiday “Tribute to the Troops” WWE has produced since 2003. The tour and a live-to-tape performance of “WWE Tribute to the Troops: Christmas Eve in Iraq” will be presented as a WWE holiday special to air on USA Network on December 24 at 9 p.m. (ET/PT).
In 2006, WWE received the Secretary of Defense Exceptional Public Service Award for exceptional public service for their bravery, patriotism, and dedication to serving the men and women of the United States Armed Forces during operations Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom. Whether touring the front lines for Armed Forces Entertainment or making individual visits to military installations and injured troops in the United States, WWE’s efforts brought needed respite and produced a resounding public outpouring of patriotic sentiment that reached all levels of leadership in the Department of Defense.
This year McMahon and WWE Superstars Triple H, John Cena, Shawn Michaels, Chris Jericho and Divas Maria, Candice and Kelly Kelly are among the talent traveling to Iraq in support of the troops. The WWE Superstars will visit, sleep and eat with military personnel through a series of appearances with the troops. The tour culminates with a live performance.
“Keeping troop morale high is one of the most important functions of Armed Forces Entertainment,” said U.S. Air Force Colonel Edward Shock, Chief of Armed Forces Entertainment. “And during the holiday season, when troops are missing the comforts of home, WWE stands tall and brings a piece of America to our military men and women. We are grateful for the continued support from Vince McMahon and World Wrestling Entertainment, which gives our military personnel serving overseas something to look forward to, taking their mind off combat duties,” said Shock.
The WWE “Tribute to the Troops” tour marks the largest celebrity production to visit troops in Iraq, with WWE Superstars visiting several bases throughout the country.
The “Tribute to the Troops” special program will feature exciting matches from the live performance, as well as taped features that will share with the American public the experience of daily life for U.S. service men and women in Iraq as they continue to fight in the name of freedom.
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Armed Forces Entertainment is the lead Department of Defense agency for providing entertainment to U.S. military personnel serving overseas, with priority given to those in contingency operations and at remote and isolated locations. The Department of the Air Force is the executive agent of Armed Forces Entertainment.
Founded in 1951, Armed Forces Entertainment brings a touch of home to more than 500,000 troops annually, embracing the best of Americana that stretches across all genres of entertainment. Visit www.armedforcesentertainment.com for more information.
For more information on WWE’s activities with U.S. troops, visit troops.wwe.com.
Trademarks: The names of all World Wrestling Entertainment televised and live programming, talent names, images, likenesses, slogans and wrestling moves and all World Wrestling Entertainment logos are trademarks, which are the exclusive property of World Wrestling Entertainment, Inc. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.
Additional media contact:
VP, Corporate Comm. Gary Davis
WWE
203-353-5066
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