USO Brings Entertainment to USS Abraham Lincoln Sailors

US Navy Press Releases

. USO Brings Entertainment to USS Abraham Lincoln Sailors

By Journalist 1st Class Keith Jones, USS Abraham Lincoln Public Affairs

ABOARD USS ABRAHAM LINCOLN, At Sea (NNS) -- Gen. Tommy R. Franks, commander of U.S. Central Command, led a troupe of entertainers featuring Wayne Newton to USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72) for a United Services Organization (USO) show Nov. 26.

Newton is the USO's Celebrity Circle chairman, and brought country singer Neal McCoy, comedian Paul Rodriguez and two Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders to entertain the Sailors during the Thanksgiving holidays.

More than 3,000 Sailors attended the show and provided a colorful backdrop with a multicolored ensemble of flight deck jerseys, utilities and khakis. Sailors surrounded the stage, sat atop aircraft and looked down from "vulture's row" on the O-10 level just to get a glimpse.

With USS Paul Hamilton (DDG 60) sailing alongside the carrier, Abraham Lincoln Battle Group Commander Rear Adm. John Kelly took the stage and introduced Franks, who in turn addressed the crew.

"The fact of the matter is, y'all are a long, long ways from home," said Franks with his trademark Texas drawl. "You've got (a lot of family) and loved ones about one-half of a world away.

"We have a lot of respect for all of you, because last time I checked, there wasn't anybody drafted into this. We all raised our hands and said 'we can do the work.' Thank you for doing the work."

Franks introduced Newton and helped him start the show with Chuck Berry's "Promised Land." Newton went on to entertain the crew with his brand of entertainment that has made him Las Vegas' number one draw.

The Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders joined Newton to provide a little choreography and returned when McCoy sang his hit "Shake."

During the song, McCoy joined the crowd, and while he sang, the cheerleaders danced on stage. He found plenty of fans in the crowd.

"Neal McCoy was my favorite. I love the songs he sang," said Lt. Kendra Ryan of Abe's reactor division. "I think it's fantastic that (the entertainers) took the time to come out here and put this break in their schedule.

While some Sailors enjoyed the singing, some really needed a good laugh.

"Paul Rodriguez was pretty funny. I like to laugh, and I've seen him before," said Aviation Boatswain's Mate Handler 3rd Class (AW) Daniel Estrada. "Although Franks was pretty funny, too."

When Rodriguez took the stage, he belayed his trademark Hispanic background.

"Today, I'm not just Hispanic. I'm an American. Where else but America can two Hispanics get a ride with an Italian guy to go to a Chinese restaurant, and then get arrested by a black cop?" Rodriguez joked.

On a more serious note - for Rodriguez - he added, "I know that talk is cheap. That's why I traveled 8,000 miles to say 'hello' to you. I came here with Wayne, and I'd come here again anytime.

"You are the reason I'm able to be a fool and not get arrested or thrown in jail. You are the muscle of our country and have earned our respect."

It was a good thing for the Sailors, who are four months into their six-month deployment, to get a show from entertainers who have sold out arenas, Las Vegas shows and large comedy club venues. But the entertainers didn't see their actions as merely giving.

"This has definitely been fun," said Dallas Cowboy cheerleader Kelly Kirchoff. "The crew always comes up to us and says how much it means to them, but it means so much to us to come over here and see all the men and women.

"They work every day to keep the freedom back home. There's not a single day that we don't think of (deployed military members), and keep them in our prayers."

Newton closed the show with his trademark "Danke Schene," then invited all the entertainers, Franks, Kelly, and Abraham Lincoln Commanding Officer Capt. Kendall L. Card to the stage.

The group sang "God Bless America" with the crew, then spent some time taking pictures and signing autographs with the crew before they prepared to depart the carrier.

Rodriguez reminded the Sailors what is waiting for them when their duty is done. "Hurry up and come home, because the food is nice and the (people) are fine - we're all praying for you, and God bless," he said.

"You don't realize how special you are," said Franks. "These people have come out here for you, and they get not one dime for it. They're here because you are as great as you are."

For related news, visit the USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72) Navy NewsStand page at www.news.navy.mil/local/cvn72.