I intended to write a bit about this a week and a half ago, but better late than never.  It's not often we get a USO tour down here in Khowst Province to visit the Soldiers this close to border with Pakistan.  The big name celebs seem to get sucked up by the bigger bases that are easiest to get to.  Granted, FOB Salerno is equipped with an airfield and is rather large compared to some FOBs and COPS in the east, travel to this location can sometimes prove problematic.  That's why, when the USO tour with Jon Stewart, host of Comedy Central's Daily Show, NBA legend Karl Malone, and world renowned street illusionist and endurance artist, David Blaine, show up to pay us a visit, it's kind of a big deal. 

Not only did I get to see the high powered group, I had the distinct pleasure of coordinating their visit and escorting them to the throngs of waiting service men and women.  It's not often you get to ride in the vehicle and hear unscripted jokes straight from one of today's most famous "news" anchors. 

The group was surprisingly down to earth.  I've met Karl Malone before at the U.S. Army High School All American Bowl.  He is one of the biggest proponents of U.S. Servicemembers and takes whatever chance he can to show his support.  David Blaine was the quietest in my opinion, but seemed to have a great time wowing Soldiers with his street magic.  And, of course, perhaps the most vocal, Jon Stewart, continued his unscripted performance while signing autographs and posing for photos. 

It was one of the best days for the Soldiers serving here since our brigade arrived in late Dec/Jan.  Perhaps the best part is the fact that Jon Stewart wore our TF Duke T-Shirt during an entire segment of his show on Aug 1.  Check out the link here:

http://www.thedailyshow.com/watch/mon-august-1-2011/jon-thanks-the-troops

You can also check out the video we placed on our DVIDS site on the visit as well:

http://www.dvidshub.net/video/121952/uso-tour-featuring-jon-stewart-visits-fob-salerno

Or read our news story here:

http://www.dvidshub.net/news/74855/celebrities-visit-forward-operating-base-salerno

Celebrities visit FOB Salerno

TF Duke PAO

By U.S. Army Pfc John A. Martinez

Task Force Centaur Public Affairs

KHOWST PROVINCE, Afghanistan-“A funny thing happened on the way to Pakistan,” said Jon Stewart, host of Comedy Central’s “The Daily Show,” referring to his appearance at Forward Operating Base Salerno July 31.

Stewart was part of a USO tour that also featured NBA All-Star Karl Malone, and master illusionist David Blaine.

Soldiers of the 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division, Task Force Duke, stood in a line snaking several hundred feet in temperatures exceeding 100 degrees, for a chance to shake hands and meet the celebrities.

“Like the rest of the troops,” said U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Anthony Zupan of Indianapolis, Ind., a Soldier of 1st Battalion, 6th Field Artillery Regiment, 3rd BCT, 1st Inf. Div., “I don’t mind waiting in line for hours in this heat to see these guys. They rock!”

U.S. Army Capt. Hollijo Monroe, of Burley, Idaho, and also attached to 1st Bn., 6th FA Regt., added that “this was a great morale booster for the troops and I really admire (Stewart, Malone and Blaine) for coming out here and shaking hands, signing autographs, and giving us something to smile about.”

“Coming here definitely shows they support-us,” she added.

The sincerity from all three celebrities was evident as they discussed their gratitude to the troops and military families.

“To me, I just want to say thanks for everything and want you to know that on behalf of my family and me, we live better because of you and all the Soldiers sacrifices  that you and your families have made,” Karl Malone.

“You can’t imagine what Soldiers are going through until you come out here yourself,” agreed Blaine. “No movie can depict the truth.”

Of all the icons on the tour, it was Stewart that seemed to draw the biggest crowd. Soldiers of all ranks eagerly anticipated his every move and hung on every word he said.

“They say, ‘Thank you, Jon, for coming out here,’ but it’s an honor (for me to be here),” he said. “We’re getting so much more out of this than we can ever give back.”

Stewart, who made several comments about the August heat in Afghanistan, including one comparing the weather here to that of the surface of Venus, did have one suggestion for future conflicts:

“I will say that I wish a country like Bermuda would attack us, because it sure would be more fun to visit there.”

A lot of fun was had on the brief stop, but it was Malone that summed up the purpose of the tour best.

“I don’t know what people’s definition of hero is, but I say, ‘Hero is right here,’” he said.

*Editor’s Note: Jon Stewart talked about his trip to Afghanistan during his Daily Show episode aired on Aug. 1.  During the segment, he also wore a Task Force Duke t-shirt and referenced the TF Duke Soldiers who gave it to him.  

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