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Transit Center welcomes CJCS, USO holiday tour

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. Rachel Martinez
  • 376th Air Expeditionary Wing Public Affairs
Transit Center at Manas, Kyrgyzstan --  The Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff visited the Transit Center at Manas Dec. 14 and 15 as part of his annual USO holiday tour.

Army Gen. Martin E. Dempsey, along with his senior enlisted advisor, Marine Corps Sgt. Maj. Bryan B. Battaglia, and their spouses joined USO President Sloan Gibson to bring a lineup of celebrities to deployed troops as special thanks for their service, particularly during this time of year.

"We really do appreciate what you do up here," Dempsey told a crowd of nearly 500 servicemembers.

"I also want you to pass on to your family members, however you connect with them, whether it's Skype, Facebook, text or phone calls," he said. "Make sure you tell them that the chairman and the sergeant major said 'thanks' for their service, and we hope you will be rejoined with them soon. But in the meantime, thanks for what you do."

Dempsey then introduced the lineup of celebrities that included comedienne Iliza Schlesinger, a winner of NBC's Last Comic Standing; Washington Nationals Major League Baseball players Ross Detwiler and Craig Stammen; Washington Capitals National Hockey League player Matt Hendricks; and county music singer Kellie Pickler and her band.

"We get to see a lot of the troops when they come home, or come out to our games, but we don't get to spend enough time with them," said Craig Stammen, who is participating in his first USO tour. "Going on this trip, I wanted to find out what made it real - what happens and how things go down.

"Earlier today we were in a tent and met some guys going to Kandahar," Stammen said. "We were giving them high fives and then, no kidding, they were getting on a plane and heading to Kandahar. And that's the first time I realized how real it is."

Each of the celebrities thanked the troops for their service and expressed appreciation for the sacrifices they make and what they do every day.

In addition to the USO show, the group toured the Transit Center, learning about the mission and speaking with troops headed to or returning home from Afghanistan. The visit also provided an opportunity for the chairman and his senior enlisted advisor to speak directly with senior leaders and enlisted servicemembers.

"Whatever your job, I hope you bloom where planted, embracing your roles and responsibilities," Battaglia said to a roomful of enlisted troops. "You are making a difference out here, for other servicemembers and our host nation partners.

"We'd love if everyone was home with their families for Christmas," Battaglia said before departing, "but that's not reality. We need warriors to stand on the line of defense. That's why you're here. We thank you for your service."