USO Kicks Off 2007 Christmas Show

The USO continues its tradition of bringing joy to the troops in foreign lands for the Christmas season, kicking off the show December 17, 2007. This year's holiday program has for the fourth time Robin Williams as the front man and headliner, for decades the province of Bob Hope. The group will be visiting troops stationed in seven nations - in the Middle East, Central Asia, and Europe.

Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Adm. Michael G. Mullen will be with the entertainers to address and thank the troops for their service so far from home. This tradition was first started in 2002, by then-Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Air Force Gen. Richard B. Myers.

"We want to thank as many service members as we can," Mullen said in a press release from the American Forces Press Service. "The holidays are a tough time to be away from home, and we do not take their extraordinary sacrifices for granted or those of their families. They all serve so that all Americans can enjoy a safe and secure holiday season."

Williams has traditionally led off each show with his line from the hit film "Good Morning, Viet Nam" at each of his shows. "Good Morning, Viet Nam" was loosely based on the experiences of Adrian Cronauer, a DJ based in the Viet Nam who entertained and bolstered the troops - and quietly bashed the war in the process.

Other entertainers performing alongside Williams are actor/comedian Lewis Black, singer Kid Rock, Miss USA Rachel Smith, and six-time Tour de France winner Lance Armstrong. Irish tenor Ronan Tynan will join the tour later in the week. Black and Rock are both known for the politicized commentary, but Williams is quoted as saying in 2005 to USA Today that he's "never been censored" but asked to tone down his show's often raunchy language.

Previous entertainers to hit the stage with Williams on the USO holiday tour include model Leeann Tweeden, Drew Carey, former NFL quarterback John Elway and comedian and actor Blake Clark. Entertainers are provided transportation and paid for their performances - at the rate of $50 a day.

The United Service Organization (USO) was formed by an act of Congress in 1941 to help support military personnel during World War II. The USO operates 182 relief stations around the globe, and puts together 50 tours a year to entertain the troops, with the best known coming during the Christmas season each year.