Posts tagged military
WWE To Air Tribute To The Troops Holiday Special On NBC & USA
Multi-platinum recording artists and two-time CMA Vocal Duo of the Year winners, Florida Georgia Line will join WWE Superstars and Divas to honor the United States Armed Forces with the 12th annual WWE holiday special Tribute to the Troops, which will air on USA Network as a part of ”WWE WEEK” on Wednesday, Dec. 17, 8/7 p.m. CT, and will re-air as a one-hour special on NBC on Saturday, Dec. 27, at 8/7 p.m. CT.
In the tradition of Bob Hope, WWE brings together the best of entertainment and pop culture with celebrity appearances and performances for our servicemen and women to celebrate their dedication and commitment to our country. The holiday program is considered one of television’s most patriotic and heartwarming shows. NBCUniversal joins WWE in saluting our troops with special messages from some of the networks’ biggest names such as Seth Meyers, The Kardashians, Andy Cohen, Giuliana Rancic, Katherine Heigl, Lester Holt, Padma Lakshmi, Mark Feuerstein, Tom Brokaw, Rachel Maddow and Carson Daly, as well as the coaches of “The Voice,” Pharrell Williams, Gwen Stefani, Adam Levine and Blake Shelton.
“For 12 consecutive years, WWE has been entertaining American military personnel both overseas and domestically as a way to thank them for their commitment to our country,” said WWE Chairman and CEO Vince McMahon. “Our servicemen and women work tirelessly for our freedom and we are proud to continue our Tribute to the Troops tradition.”
WWE Tribute to the Troops will chronicle WWE’s visit to United States Army post Fort Benning, where WWE Superstars and Divas will spend two days giving back to those who serve and their families with hospital visits, career workshops and Be a STAR anti-bullying rallies. Fort Benning supports more than 120,000 active-duty military, family members, reserve soldiers, retirees, and civilian employees and has been the home of the Infantry division since 1918.
The television special will also highlight WWE’s annual goodwill visit to our troops who are fighting for our freedom overseas. WWE Chairman and CEO Vince McMahon, WWE Superstars Big Show and R-Truth and WWE Divas Summer Rae and Alicia Fox will travel abroad to spread some holiday cheer to the men and women serving our country far from home during the holiday season.
WWE’s dedication to the military is a long-standing tradition that continues year-round, through programs that boost morale for soldiers, offer free tickets for active servicemen and women, and provide workforce assistance for veterans through a partnership with Hire Heroes USA.
Dec 9th
Duke Cannon Supply Co. To Donate To U.S. Military & Their Dogs
This Memorial Day Duke Cannon Supply Co., the brand that brought you the “Big Ass Brick of Soap,” will donate a 1:1 product match for every product sold to U.S. Military service men as well as one premium dog treat for their working dogs through the support of the MWDTSA (Military Working Dog Team Support Association, Inc.).
Duke Cannon knows these dogs, along with their handlers from every military service, are deployed worldwide to defend the U.S. at home and abroad, helping to safeguard military bases and activities and to detect bombs and other explosives before they inflict harm. What better way to pay homage to fallen soldiers than by helping those sill serving? The Duke abides.
For more info follow @dukecannon on Twitter and on Facebook.
May 23rd
Keith David Interview
Keith David has had many memorable roles in film and on TV. From “Platoon” to “There’s Something About Mary” to “Men at Work,” Keith’s resume is always growing. He is now on the new show called “Enlisted” on FOX.
It is a comedy about three brothers on a small Florida Army post and their experience with a bunch of oddballs who work with them. David plays Command Sergeant Major Donald Cody, who served with the brothers’ late father. The Sergeant made a promise to look after his friend’s sons. The show airs on FOX on Fridays at 9:30/8:30 central.
I was able to chat with Keith about his role on “Enlisted,” acting, voice over work, and which roles he gets most remembered for from his fans.
Art Eddy: You star in the new hit comedy on FOX called “Enlisted.” You play Command Sergeant Major Donald Cody. Tell me a bit about your role and the show.
Keith David: I am the highest enlisted man on the base. I’m not an officer so don’t call me sir. I work for a living. We have a lot of fun. It is a workplace comedy. One of the things about a rear detachment unit is that the general perception is that it is for losers.
The truth of the matter is that the Army is a business. Somebody has got to run it. Not everybody can fight. We are the guys who run the business of the Army. We take care of cleaning the tanks. We take care of the families. We do the paperwork. We do all that kind of stuff.
That is another thing that separates us from other military shows. Most of the time when you see a military show it is either in the field fighting or getting ready to fight. We don’t do any fighting over there. All our stuff takes place at home. We fight for the rights of the families.
AE: What attracted you to this role and the show?
KD: One of the things that comes apparent in the course of the series is that I am sort of a surrogate father to these boys. I served with their father for more than half of my life. When their father died I made a promise that I would look after these boys.
Part of the job for the Command Sergeant Major is that he does look after the soldiers. In some ways they become like his children. You look after them and you care about them each individually. Everyone has different needs. We all have soldiering to do, but everyone is not to be soldiered in the same way. Yes, we have common responsibilities, but everyone needs to be handled differently. Just as the way a father would handle his children.
AE: Which other characters from the show did you enjoy watching as you were taping episodes?
KD: There is a little something there for everybody. All the members of the platoon get their moment to shine and let you know who they are. They all have their own special personality traits and quirks that you will come to enjoy. I certainly have enjoyed watching them as they unfold over the course of the series.
It was fun watching Geoff develop into a leader. Seeing the scenes as the brothers come together as a family and as a platoon. Again it is part of the journey of the series. It really has been a wonderful ride.
AE: How many shows have you guys taped already?
KD: We have 13 in the can. Hopefully you will get to see all 13 and you will ask to see 13 or 22 more.
AE: To say that you are a very accomplished actor would be an understatement. Not only are you known for you roles in “Platoon,” “Crash,” and “There’s Something About Mary,” but you do a lot of voice acting as well. How did you get involved into voice acting? 
KD: Wow. I have been doing voice over work for a very long time. When I first graduated from school I really wanted to do voice overs. I always wanted to do cartoons, animation, and especially documentaries.
It was a very exclusive club. There were very few brothers in it. It was the white boys club and very few brothers were invited. There were a few. I had a wonderful agent who was persistent. After a while I got to be invited to the party. I have been very happy. I have been attending the party ever since.
AE: Keeping with voice acting. I am a big fan of yours in Disney’s “Princess and The Frog.” Loved your work as Doctor Facilier. How fun was it to play that role?
KD: Oh! Well I am a singer. It wasn’t the first time that I sang in the movies. I sang on the soundtrack of “Platoon” actually. I sang on the soundtrack of a movie I did called “Johns.” I also sang on the soundtrack of another movie I did called “Flipping.”
This was the absolute biggest moment that I got to sing and act. It was wonderful. It was a Disney cartoon. One of my favorites growing up was “Snow White.” I loved “Mister Magoo’s Christmas.” You probably won’t remember Mr. Magoo, but it was a spin on “A Christmas Carol.” Mr. Magoo was Scrooge. It was one of the most wonderful films. I still love it today. Trying to get my kids to love it as much as I do, but they don’t. They just tolerate it. (Laughs).
AE: To this day one of my favorite parts in any film was your scene in the diner with Charlie Sheen and Emilio Estevez in “Men at Work.” Just want to let you know I never mess with another man’s fries.
KD: (Laughs). That’s a good thing because it is a dangerous thing to do.
AE: For you what role do you get recognized most for from fans?
KD: Funny enough “Men at Work” is one of them. “Something About Mary” is another. I absolutely love “Men at Work.” It was the first time in a movie that I got to play a little bit of comedy. I think I am a funny guy.
AE: (Laughs). Yep. I do too.
KD: My wife thinks that she is funnier, but she is wrong. (Both laugh).
Jan 7th
Deacon Jones’ Wife Elizabeth Refects On Husband’s Career
Deacon Jones, former NFL defensive lineman, Hall of Famer, and Orlando Florida football legend, was honored in his hometown community as part of a special program called “Hometown Hall of Famers” presented by the Pro Football Hall of Fame and Allstate. The event took place at Edgewater High School where Deacon grew up. Representatives of the Hall of Fame, Allstate, the Orlando community, and Deacon’s friends and family will be in attendance.
Elizabeth Jones, his wife was kind enough to speak with me about her late husband’s career, the hometown ceremony and what it means to their family and his legacy.
Art Eddy: Can you tell me about the “Hometown Hall of Famers” event that is presented by the Pro Football Hall of Fame and Allstate that is happening in Orlando to honor your husband?
Elizabeth Jones: It is really a great, great promotion. There are so many things that young people can learn about life from my husband. He was always preaching about where he came from and fighting very hard to become what he became and do be the best at what he could be.
So I think that Allstate sponsoring this event and going back to the hometown of these guys is a great educational tool. Hopefully it will not only promote the Hall of Fame, but it will be inspirational for some of the kids, if not all of them. Maybe it will push them to go into life and do good things.
AE: This is a great honor and I know Deacon would appreciate this event. What does this ceremony mean to you to honor Deacon’s legacy?
EJ: So many thing have happened since he passed away. He was honored for things when he was alive, but since he has passed away there has been so many accolades and honors. Seeing now how much he was loved and really respected and how he helped out many people’s lives in ways you don’t even think about when he was alive is amazing to see.
I think he would be very, very pleased. I think for his legacy to continue in the place where he grew up would be especially poignant to him. As you know in the times in which he grew up are quite a bit different than they are now. Often times I think young people don’t know it or they forget about it. I think that it would be a lot to him for them to maintain that knowledge and understand how far they come and what it means now.
AE: Deacon had a very long list of accomplishment and accolades. What motivated him while he was playing in the NFL?
EJ: What motivated him more than anything else was where he came from and the times in which he grew up. Nobody thought that he could make it. Nobody gave him credit for being as good as other white people. You are well aware of the circumstances and it really annoyed him so much. It motivated him so much to prove to the world that he was not only as good as, but better than.
People in hometown believed he was a dreamer and he would never accomplish his goals. They thought his goals were something that wasn’t accomplishable. He just refused to accept that. He would not accept the fact that he was lesser than anyone else. What also motivated him was anger. A lot of anger. It served a purpose for him.
AE: What do you think was your husband’s greatest moment in his phenomenal career?
EJ: I think for him the greatest moment was when he was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame on the first year of his eligibility. That was validation for him. You know that my husband was a very in your face kind of person. So that was a big deal to him. Getting into the Hall of Fame meant the world to him. People thought that he couldn’t do it, but he felt like well here I am.
That was a huge accomplishment for him. When he started playing football in the NFL he never played to be a Hall of Famer. It wasn’t a consideration. The fact that he was not only a Hall of Famer, but he achieved that in his first year eligibility was a great moment for him.
AE: Tell me about the Deacon Jones Foundation and the many great things your organization provides.
EJ: Deacon often said that he wouldn’t know what his life would have become if he didn’t get the opportunity to go to a good school and to further his education in ways some others don’t get to. He wanted to give young people the opportunity and really level the playing field.
In terms of the Deacon Jones Foundation it was much more than a scholarship situation. We look to mentor them. We get them involved with corporate America. We introduce them to people in business that can mentor them as well. We teach them about giving back to their community. One of the things that Deacon wanted was to make sure these kids wanted the education we provided for them and give back to their community.
It is a very hands on program with a lot of different aspects to it. Primarily it was created to create leaders in the community and be able to help those in need.
AE: I know Deacon did a lot work with the military. What are some of the things beyond football you want people to know about Deacon?
EJ: Oh my gosh! He was so impressed with the soldiers. He went to Iraq and that scared the devil out of him. When he went to Iraq and saw the risks that these young people were taking. He loved the military beforehand and the fact that people would go into battle for thing that they believed in. It affected him very deeply. The last trip he took in Iraq made him want to be more involved in helping the military.
Deacon was really unique. He was big, bad, fierce, and tough. He was also the sweetest, warmest, and most caring person in the world.
Sep 25th
