Sergeant Major of the Army, USO Bring Cheer to Task Force Marne

The Army band “Downrange” performs its final song with other tour members and soldiers during the Sergeant Major of the Army Hope and Freedom tour, Dec. 16, 2007, at Camp Striker, in Baghdad. Photo by Pfc. Monica K. Smith, USA   (Click photo for screen-resolution image);high-resolution image available.

The crowd was engaging, with a few of its own comics, and kept entertainers such as singer Darryl Worley and comedian Sheryl Underwood laughing just as hard.

The show began with opening remarks from Sgt. Maj. of the Army Kenneth O. Preston, who introduced everyone on tour, including all of the band members and the stage crew.

“During the holidays, the USO tour is a piece of home to all the soldiers,” Preston said. “It’s also an opportunity to say thanks for the sacrifices they make.”

Kicking the show off was the U.S. Army Band “Downrange” singing “I Live in America.” Other featured acts were singer Keni Thomas, a former Army Ranger; four members of the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders; Leeann Tweeden, a sports correspondent for Fox; and actor-comedian Vince Morris, who was greeted as a newbie by the crowd because this was his inaugural performance.

Tweeden said this is her eighth USO tour and that she just wants to be able to go back and tell everyone firsthand what she’s seen and experienced.

On his sixth rotation with the USO Hope and Freedom tour, Worley said he’s only making a small sacrifice. The group spends 14 days performing, visiting troops, signing autographs and taking photos. But Worley said he does it because he has friends who are willing to stop the enemy in its tracks for messing with him and the rest of America.

(Army Pfc. Monica K. Smith is assigned to 3rd Combat Aviation Brigade.)