The following press release was sent to PWTorch.com today by WWE and Armed Forces Entertainment...

WWE Superstars take their show to the troops for fifth Armed Forces Entertainment holiday tribute tour
 
World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) Chairman Vince McMahon and 19 Superstars and Divas have just returned from bringing holiday cheer to U.S. troops stationed in Iraq on its fifth Tribute to the Troops tour held from December 4-8.  Hosted by Armed Forces Entertainment, the tour marks the fifth holiday "Tribute to the Troops" event WWE has produced since 2003. The tour and live event will be chronicled in a two-hour holiday special -- "WWE Tribute to the Troops" -- on USA Network on December 24 at 9 p.m. (ET/PT).
 
The WWE "Tribute to the Troops" tour marks the largest celebrity production to visit troops in Iraq, with WWE Superstars visiting 20 bases throughout the country over three days.
 
In 2006, WWE received the Secretary of Defense Exceptional Public Service Award for exceptional public service for 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, WWE Champion Randy Orton, Chris Jericho, Rey Mysterio, JBL, WWE Intercontinental Champion Jeff Hardy, and Divas Maria, Layla and Kelly Kelly were among the talent traveling to Iraq in support of the troops.  The WWE Superstars visited, slept, and ate with military personnel through a series of appearances with the troops at 20 Forward Operating Bases across Iraq. The tour culminated with a live performance at Camp Speicher near Tikrit.
 
"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 "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.
 
Armed Forces Entertainment is the lead Department of Defense agency for providing entertainment to US military personnel serving overseas, with priority given to those in contingency operations and 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 the Tribute to the Troops tour, and WWE’s activities to support U.S. troops in general, visit troops.wwe.com.
 

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