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Dear
RWF, Thank you for providing information regarding
Mr. Williams. He has been my favorite entertainer
every since I was a child. I know that he will
not see this, but I would like to publicly thank
Mr. Williams for the great work that he has
done for the soldiers serving in the U.S. Armed
Forces. His presence has truly helped.
P.S. If any of you encounter troops from the
Texas area, please let them know that free counseling
is available for them and their families (800-374-6058
ext. 476).
Carla Carlock-Self, MA, LPC
Director of Armed Forces Counseling Services
Here
I am with Robin Williams at COB Speicher Iraq.
It was great to have him come during the holidays
and cheer us up.
SFC Clay
U.S. Army
I wanted
to let you know that your tour to Iraq was a
great thing to help us out. I was not able to
make it to your performance but my Marines were
able to make it and the light in their eye was
irreversable and they sure did appreciate it.
Thank you SIR. You are a true American Hero
and you made the day for some of my young Marines.
God Bless you.
SSgt Burgos, W.S.
Bravo Company 1st Platoon Sergeant
1st Battalion 8th Marine Regiment
II Marine Expeditonary Force (Forward)
Robin
has his hand on the head of my son SFC Jason
Ratliff. The USO show was at Camp Phoenix in
Kabul Afghanistan on 12/19/2007. SFC Ratliff
is stationed at Camp Eggers in Kabul. The soldier
on the right is Spc. James Honea. Other soldiers
names are not known. They were eating and waiting
for transportation after the show. My son, Jason,
said he put on a fantastic show and will never
forget the experience of visiting with him at
the table.
Jason's mother Kathryn
I am
an Army civilian who volunteered to come to
Kuwait to work for six months in support of
the soldier and this war effort. I was at the
USO Show In December and was able to meet and
get my picture with Robin Williams. It was great!!
I have attached my photo with him. He is quite
a nice guy!!
Melissa E. Doo
He was
so quiet and reserved before going on stage,
but once up there he became someone else entirely.
It was so cool to be able to see him in person,
even though the sound was so bad that we couldn't
understand half of what he said...oh well!
Karyn Sigurdsson
Here
is a picture of Mr. Williams with our son, Lt.
Matt Clark, at the Balad Airbase, Iraq, in December
2007. Matt really enjoyed directing Mr. Williams'
tour at the base.
Thanks for sharing your story Vicky!:
I wanted to take this moment to thank you for your
recent trip to Afghanistan. My son had the great fortune
of seeing you at Kandahar. He had recently been home
for his leave and needed something to lift his spirits
when he got back KAF. When he called home he said
that he was so amazed that such a show was brought
to them. You and the other great entertainers are
just what he needed. I want to say THANK YOU for taking
the time to show that you care and support the great
brave men and women that are so far from home so that
we can all sleep safely in our beds. I could say thank
you a thousand times and it wouldn't begin to express
how I feel for what you gave to my son and so many
others.
A Grateful and Proud Army Mom,
Vickie
Attached
is a photo of my son LCpl Rhoades (on the left)
and LCpl Ambs with Robin after his show at Al
Taqqadum Air Base in Iraq last week.
My son said he really enjoyed meeting Robin.
Robin just hung out in the crowd with the Marines
after he was done performing and watched the
rest of the show with them. He was happy to
have his picture taken with the guys.
Diane Baugh
Here's another funny one! Thanks Nancy: Thank you Robin Williams for your visit to Ramadi.
My son is stationed near there in an FOB (forward
operating base). Even though he was unable to see
you, some of his buddies were, and he called me and
told me how funny you were. They all loved the one
about those energy drinks they suck down and evidently
gave you one and you said there were sparks shooting
out of your d***!
I can't tell you how much it means to our men when
someone like you visits them. Even my son who was
out on patrol and missed you thought you were AWESOME.
So you probably won't see this but thank you from
a mom who knows how much it means to our men and I
was so happy to hear my son laughing on the phone
to me and telling me about your visit. God Bless you
and Lance Armstrong and Kid Rock. You have made our
Christmas a little easier knowing that you guys care.
Sincerely,
Nancy Howard, proud Army mom of Sgt. Howard
GOOOO ARMY!! If you ain't a Cottonbaler you ain't
shit!! {one of their weird slogans, thought I'd share!!}
We had our USO here on the 20th. The night
was cold and snowing and the performers were
over an hour late in arriving. They flew in
from Iraq, where they had been the past few
days performing for the troops there. The crowd
was made up of U.S. soldiers, as well as soldiers
from the coalitions forces, a real international
audience.
A C-17 broke through the storm and landed at
Kabul International Airport a short distance
away. A short time later an announcemen was
made that the performers were on the ground.
The crowd's excitement grew, a crowd which ahd
been standing out in the snow for over two hours
waiting patiently, all in good spirits.
The head of the Joint Chiefs of Staff spoke,
then Miss America, comedian Lewis Black, Lance
Armstrong, Robin Williams and ending with Kid
Rock.
I think the performers were shocked to see so
many people standing in the snow waiting for
them, and not caring about the weather.
Robin and all the performers then signed autographs,
took pictures with the troops, who got on line
in the cold of the night to wait for the chance
to say hello.
It's was interesting and enjoyable. They accomplished
what they wanted, which was to bring a little
bit home to the troops for Christmas.
That's about it. Which was more then enough.
-- John R Johnson
I received
a phone call today from my husband who is in
Iraq waiting to be sent to Germany for an injury.
By chance he was able to catch a show that Mr.
Williams performed and was able to talk to him.
He even gave my husband the black beanie he
wore! I can't tell you how much it means to
know that despite the world that my husband
lives being deployed, Robin Williams reached
out to him and made him smile. Allthough I could
not see the smile on my husbands face, I know
it was there, and all I can say is thank you. Lauren West
This
is my son, John Dean, a Navy corpsman. He is
stationed with the Marine air wing group from
Cherry Point N.C. He is currently doing his
second tour in Iraq . My son will retire in
2011. He said how much he enjoyed meeting Robin….I
know that there were many happy faces thanks
to their visit. I can tell you, receiving that
email picture from him and knowing that he was
having a good time under the circumstances,
did my heart a world of good. I hope Robin knows
how much he is appreciated by not only all our
guys and girls, but also this mom for making
his visit! I have always loved Robin and most
certainly will continue to admire him and his
work!
Thanks, Karen
We received another great email from a parent
who has 2 daughters serving in the Middle East: As a parent of two daughters in the military I just
wanted to say thank you to Robin and everyone that took
the time to entertain the troops overseas. My daughter
Heidi is stationed in the Middle East and just e-mailed
me that Robin was there today and although she had to
work and didn't get to see the show she said that it
cheered up so many of the kids there to know that people
from home still care so much and would take the time
out of their busy schedules to come and support them
at Christmas time. So as a mom who misses her girls
dearly a big thanks from all of us too!!!
Sincerely,
Carolie Kenney mom of Sgt Amie Kenney US Army and SrA
Heidi Kenney US AirForce
Photos taken on december 17 in Qatar
Photos taken in Kuwait on Dec 17. Right Robin with Commander
Clay Wild.
Photos taken in Kuwait (Camp Arifjan) on December
17 by IT1 Pasquale R. Iorfino.
Pasquale also send this message: Mr. Williams,
Sir, I am station at Camp Patriot KNB, Kuwait and
I attended at your show tonight, 17 Dec 07, Camp Arifjan
, Kuwait . I just wanted to express my sincerest thanks
you for trying to sign the coin for my son. I know
he will try appreciating it. As I mentioned quickly,
my son is autistic (Asperger’s Syndrome to be
exact). Now six, he has been a fan of yours, well
your voice that is, sense he heard you in Aladdin.
He has memorized basically every line in the movie.
It also helps that my wife and myself are also fans.
I just really want to say thank you again and hope
that this email finds you safe and secure.
With Sincere thanks, IT1 Pasquale R. Iorfino COMNCWRON
21, USN
Thanks so much for sharing!
December 14 - 17, 2004
Kuwait, Iraq, Afganistan, Germany
Thanks for sending these last 4 pics, Mark!
"I have loved Robin Williams all my life.
I can remember watching him doing standup on TV as
a very young kid, and then watching him develop as
a comedy genius all the rest of my 24 years. I know
it's kind of ironic to talk about my short period
on earth that way.
Anyway. I currently live in Germany on an Army Post,
actually it's the largest military hospital in Europe.
All the wounded troops from Iraq and Afghanistan come
here. My husband is currently serving in
Kuwait and Iraq for a year. In December, after his
tour through Iraq, Robin Williams and the USO tour
did an impromptu show at Ramstein Air Base, which
is about 5 mins from my house. I couldn't believe
that I might actually get the chance to see him in
person. I had mid-terms that night, but raced through
them so I could make the show on time. It was December
17th, 2004.
It was a very moving performance, since quite a few
wounded soldiers
were brought to the hangar where he performed to see
the show. And
the spouses of deployed soldiers were thanked profusely
for our support and love of these brave men and women.
It amazes me when these big stars leave their homes
and safety to help give morale to our soldiers. It
makes me even more proud to be a military wife and
an American."
Thanks so much for sharing your story and pics Brittaniya!
"My brother (SPC Ian Todd) is with
the 545 Military Police Company (attached to
1st Cavalry Division). Before he left to go
to Iraq, he introduced me to an online humor
site (homestarrunner)
of which he is quite fond. One of the characters
in the site is an odd little sidekick called
"The Cheat" and he's always getting
kicked around by another character, "Strong
Bad." So the guys made a "Kick The
Cheat Doll" that makes angry noises when
you kick it around. I sent one to my brother
in Iraq and he and his friends loved it. However,
after the first day, his friends "kidnapped"
The Cheat and have been emailing pictures back
to my brother of The Cheat in various locations
around Iraq. It's all been pretty funny. I guess
they coaxed Robin into posing for this shot
(Robin was probably pretty confused, but he
was obviously a great sport about it)."
Thank you for this hilarous story Jason!
Feb 10, 2005 - Joel send
the following letter to Robin and gave permission
to place it on the site as well. Thanks so much
for sharing this very moving story Joel, it
means a lot to us.
Dear Mr. Williams,
I am writing to say that your trip to Afghanistan
meant more to some of those soldiers (and their
families) than you could ever know. I know that
during your trip you posed for a lot of pictures
but the one that is below is the one that means
the most to us… (The Family) In the picture
with you is SPC. Richard M. Crane, on deployment
since February of 2004 with the 325th Field
Hospital in Kandahar. He was so excited about
being able to meet with you and to have a picture
with you. It meant so much to him. It was to
be the second biggest highlight of his trip...
(second only to coming home to his wife and
three kids) but unfortunately on February 8th
2004 we got the knock on the door to say that
he wasn’t ever coming home. You see he
died just 37 days from the end of his deployment
and his long awaited trip back to his family.
We just want to thank you for giving of
yourself that these men and women serving overseas
could forget where they were for just a little
bit. Forget what they had seen for a while.
Enjoy themselves maybe for just one last time.
Feb 15, 2005 - A very enthusiastic Katie send
us an e-mail and included the following photo
and message:
I am getting ready for retirement and just
wanted to say THANKs to Robin Williams and crew
for coming to Afghanistan to see us.
It was definitely a highlight of my career!
December 16 - 22, 2003
Kuwait, Iraq, Afganistan, Bahrain and Djibouti
The picture
you see on the left was taken in Kandahar, December
19th, 2003. Beverly, the mother of this soldier,
wanted to share this with us:
"My son PFC Dominick Melite (Army
Gunner in the 3-17 Cav Unit)(in Kandahar Afghanistan)with
the funniest man we know!
Dominick said that talking with Robin was just
awesome! He talked to him as if he were just
one of the guys. He asked Robin if he could
take a picture and Robin said "Go for it
Dude"
Oh my ! Robin lifted all of their spirits, hats
off to him !!!!"
Thank
you for this story Beverly!
Here's another
e-mail from someone who met Robin in Iraq: Christopher
Mulrooney. He send a photo and included the
following words:
Four Days after Saddam was captured outside
the city of Tikrit Iraq I was in Balad, Iraq
doing the normal things a soldier does over
there. There was a rumor flying around that
Robin Williams was going to be there on December
17 (2003). I was so wanting to believe it to
be true, I dug up more information and well
it was true. They had him coming here to do
a USO show. I went early enough for the show.
I talked to an Officer who was in charge of
the event and I told her I had an idea about
an entrance for the show. About cutting a hole
in the stage and have Robin Williams pop out
of the whole. Something like that anyways and
have Robin say: "I would like to negotiate
or something like that". Well, they wouldn't
cut a hole in the stage.
However the officer said I could guard the side
entrance of the back stage area and she would
make sure I would get a picture with him. So
I did that. The plane that was bringing him
was running about a hour late. Around that time
there was about 5000 or so Airmen and Soldiers
waiting in a Hanger in there. Finally someone
announced that Robin Williams' plane has landed
and he was on his way over. Well I was just
standing there guarding and all of a sudden
an arm came around me and I turned around it
was him! I said hello, shook his hand and told
him I am a big fan of his. "Well that great
and I am a big fan of you soldiers". He
said that I looked like the younger less hairier
version of him. I said: "really?".
Then Robin said: "Yeah you could pass as
my son". Well, then I asked for an allowence.
He said: "No, you hadn't done your choirs
for 24 years".
I told him about my idea for the stage and he
then said: "Well, I could have come out
and say that I want Jonny Cochran like he was
Saddam act".
I taught him how to say good morning in Iraq
so he could say Shabaher Iraq, sorta like how
he did Good Morninge Vietnam. I got my few pictures
with him and another hand shake and then he
had to get on stage.
Before the show I made sure they had some bottled
water on the stage for him. Cause I have sean
his videos and how he drank a lot of water.
Well, he didn't that day he was drinking a Budweiser
N/A Non Alcoholic Beverage what us soldiers
drink over there cause we not allowed Alcoholic
Beverages. He made some jokes about it tasting
like Camel Piss and that: "Oh, I can drink
12 of these and still pilot a plane", if
he was a pilot that is. He made some jokes about
Caviery Officers wearing their Cowboy hats there
at the show. "What are you riding? I dont
see any horses around here. You must be riding
a camel. So when you say that you been on the
hump all day that literally".
Then someone was holding up a sign 'Kiss my
Army Nurses Today'. Robin said: "Kiss my
what...?" He moves closer to read it well.
Then he gave them each a peck on the cheak and
said to the camera man who was recording the
show for Armed Forces network: "Hey, make
sure my wife don't see it she'll think I am
playing a hawkeye peirce on MASH".
Kuwait, Iraq, Qatar, Afghanistan, Kyrgyzstan, Italy,
Spain
