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WWE Superstars visit Strikers at FOB War Eagle

By Sgt. Zach Mott

3rd BCT PAO, 4th Inf. Div., MND-B

World Wrestling Entertainment Superstars and Multi-National Division - Baghdad Soldiers from 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division film a shoutout that will be aired during the WWE Holiday Tribute to the Troops performance later this month. The Superstars visited Forward Operating Base War Eagle to pose for photographs and sign autographs Dec. 4.

FORWARD OPERATING BASE WAR EAGLE, Iraq - Six members of the World Wrestling Entertainment visited Multi-National Division - Baghdad Soldiers at Forward Operating Base War Eagle as part of the annual WWE Holiday Tribute to the Troops production.

WWE Superstars John Cena, Rey Mysterio, R-Truth, Eve, Kelly Kelly and WWE Chairman Vince McMahon posed for photos and signed autographs for the Soldiers of the 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, during their visit.

"It's the biggest and most important thing we do all year," said McMahon of the annual event. "Everybody thinks Wrestlemania is our biggest event - but this is our biggest event every year."

Soldiers from the 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, Multi-National Division - Baghdad, lined up for autographs and to pose for pictures with World Wrestling Entertainment Superstars at Forward Operating Base War Eagle Dec. 4. The group visited this base in northern Adhamiyah as part of the Tribute to Troops event the WWE performs annually for servicemembers deployed in Iraq and Afghanistan.

McMahon has led a band of his troops to entertain servicemembers in Iraq and Afghanistan since 2003.

"It's really good to come over here to meet everyone and to show them that they're appreciated," said Eve, a member of the WWE Divas, who visited Soldiers at FOB War Eagle.

Kelly Kelly, a member of the WWE Divas, pauses while signing autographs and posing for pictures with Multi-National Division - Baghdad Soldiers from the 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division Dec. 4. World Wrestling Entertainment visits troops deployed to either Iraq or Afghanistan each December to sign autographs and to film a televised holiday special.

This visit to FOB War Eagle precedes the taped performance that will be broadcast across the world later this month. The Soldiers who filled the dining facility for the opportunity to pose for photos and receive autographs welcomed the opportunity to see the larger-than-life personalities face-to-face.

"It was great. I like wrestling, so it's fun for me. It's great to see that they care. It lifts a lot of people's hopes up," said Pfc. Adrian Morgan, a Trenton, Tenn., native, who serves as a member of Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 3rd Special Troops Battalion, 3rd BCT, 4th Inf. Div.

World Wrestling Entertainment Chairman Vince McMahon signs a title belt for Maj. Shawn Lockhart, a Roanoke, Va., native, during a visit by the professional wrestling organization to Forward Operating Base War Eagle Dec. 4. Lockhart serves as the personnel officer for 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, Multi-National Division - Baghdad.

Sgt. Kourtney Wright, a Keokuk, Iowa, native, shakes hands with World Wrestling Entertainment Superstar John Cena during a visit by the professional wrestling organization to Forward Operating Base War Eagle Dec. 4. Wright serves with Headquarters and Headquarters Troop, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, Multi-National Division - Baghdad.

World Wrestling Entertainment Superstar John Cena shakes hands with 1st Lt. George Rolston, a Conrad, Iowa, native, after signing a metal chair for him during a visit to Forward Operating Base War Eagle Dec. 4. Rolston serves as the executive officer for Company B, 3rd Special Troops Battalion, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, Multi-National Division - Baghdad.

World Wrestling Entertainment Superstar John Cena signs a metal chair for 1st Lt. George Rolston, a Conrad, Iowa, native, during a visit to Forward Operating Base War Eagle Dec. 4. Rolston serves as the executive officer for Company B, 3rd Special Troops Battalion, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, Multi-National Division - Baghdad.