Admiral Mike Mullen
December 12, 2007 - December 22, 2007
Dear RWF, Thank you for providing information regarding Mr. Williams. He has been my favorite entertainer every since I was a child. I know that he will not see this, but I would like to publicly thank Mr. Williams for the great work that he has done for the soldiers serving in the U.S. Armed Forces. His presence has truly helped.
P.S. If any of you encounter troops from the Texas area, please let them know that free counseling is available for them and their families (800-374-6058 ext. 476).
Here I am with Robin Williams at COB Speicher Iraq. It was great to have him come during the holidays and cheer us up.
I wanted to let you know that your tour to Iraq was a great thing to help us out. I was not able to make it to your performance but my Marines were able to make it and the light in their eye was irreversable and they sure did appreciate it. Thank you SIR. You are a true American Hero and you made the day for some of my young Marines. God Bless you.
Robin has his hand on the head of my son SFC Jason Ratliff. The USO show was at Camp Phoenix in Kabul Afghanistan on 12/19/2007. SFC Ratliff is stationed at Camp Eggers in Kabul. The soldier on the right is Spc. James Honea. Other soldiers names are not known. They were eating and waiting for transportation after the show. My son, Jason, said he put on a fantastic show and will never forget the experience of visiting with him at the table.
I am an Army civilian who volunteered to come to Kuwait to work for six months in support of the soldier and this war effort. I was at the USO Show In December and was able to meet and get my picture with Robin Williams. It was great!! I have attached my photo with him. He is quite a nice guy!!
He was so quiet and reserved before going on stage, but once up there he became someone else entirely. It was so cool to be able to see him in person, even though the sound was so bad that we couldn't understand half of what he said...oh well!
(also own copyrights to the pics above)
Here is a picture of Mr. Williams with our son, Lt. Matt Clark, at the Balad Airbase, Iraq, in December 2007. Matt really enjoyed directing Mr. Williams' tour at the base.
I wanted to take this moment to thank you for your recent trip to Afghanistan. My son had the great fortune of seeing you at Kandahar. He had recently been home for his leave and needed something to lift his spirits when he got back KAF. When he called home he said that he was so amazed that such a show was brought to them. You and the other great entertainers are just what he needed. I want to say THANK YOU for taking the time to show that you care and support the great brave men and women that are so far from home so that we can all sleep safely in our beds. I could say thank you a thousand times and it wouldn't begin to express how I feel for what you gave to my son and so many others.
Attached is a photo of my son LCpl Rhoades (on the left) and LCpl Ambs with Robin after his show at Al Taqqadum Air Base in Iraq last week. My son said he really enjoyed meeting Robin. Robin just hung out in the crowd with the Marines after he was done performing and watched the rest of the show with them. He was happy to have his picture taken with the guys.
Thank you Robin Williams for your visit to Ramadi. My son is stationed near there in an FOB (forward operating base). Even though he was unable to see you, some of his buddies were, and he called me and told me how funny you were. They all loved the one about those energy drinks they suck down and evidently gave you one and you said there were sparks shooting out of your d***!
I can't tell you how much it means to our men when someone like you visits them. Even my son who was out on patrol and missed you thought you were AWESOME. So you probably won't see this but thank you from a mom who knows how much it means to our men and I was so happy to hear my son laughing on the phone to me and telling me about your visit. God Bless you and Lance Armstrong and Kid Rock. You have made our Christmas a little easier knowing that you guys care.
Sincerely,
We had our USO here on the 20th. The night was cold and snowing and the performers were over an hour late in arriving. They flew in from Iraq, where they had been the past few days performing for the troops there. The crowd was made up of U.S. soldiers, as well as soldiers from the coalitions forces, a real international audience. A C-17 broke through the storm and landed at Kabul International Airport a short distance away. A short time later an announcemen was made that the performers were on the ground. The crowd's excitement grew, a crowd which ahd been standing out in the snow for over two hours waiting patiently, all in good spirits. The head of the Joint Chiefs of Staff spoke, then Miss America, comedian Lewis Black, Lance Armstrong, Robin Williams and ending with Kid Rock. I think the performers were shocked to see so many people standing in the snow waiting for them, and not caring about the weather. Robin and all the performers then signed autographs, took pictures with the troops, who got on line in the cold of the night to wait for the chance to say hello. It's was interesting and enjoyable. They accomplished what they wanted, which was to bring a little bit home to the troops for Christmas. That's about it. Which was more then enough.
I received a phone call today from my husband who is in Iraq waiting to be sent to Germany for an injury. By chance he was able to catch a show that Mr. Williams performed and was able to talk to him. He even gave my husband the black beanie he wore! I can't tell you how much it means to know that despite the world that my husband lives being deployed, Robin Williams reached out to him and made him smile. Allthough I could not see the smile on my husbands face, I know it was there, and all I can say is thank you.
This is my son, John Dean, a Navy corpsman. He is stationed with the Marine air wing group from Cherry Point N.C. He is currently doing his second tour in Iraq . My son will retire in 2011. He said how much he enjoyed meeting Robin….I know that there were many happy faces thanks to their visit. I can tell you, receiving that email picture from him and knowing that he was having a good time under the circumstances, did my heart a world of good. I hope Robin knows how much he is appreciated by not only all our guys and girls, but also this mom for making his visit! I have always loved Robin and most certainly will continue to admire him and his work!
Thanks,
As a parent of two daughters in the military I just wanted to say thank you to Robin and everyone that took the time to entertain the troops overseas. My daughter Heidi is stationed in the Middle East and just e-mailed me that Robin was there today and although she had to work and didn't get to see the show she said that it cheered up so many of the kids there to know that people from home still care so much and would take the time out of their busy schedules to come and support them at Christmas time. So as a mom who misses her girls dearly a big thanks from all of us too!!!
Sincerely,
Mr. Williams,
Sir, I am station at Camp Patriot KNB, Kuwait and I attended at your show tonight, 17 Dec 07, Camp Arifjan , Kuwait. I just wanted to express my sincerest thanks you for trying to sign the coin for my son. I know he will try appreciating it. As I mentioned quickly, my son is autistic (Asperger’s Syndrome to be exact). Now six, he has been a fan of yours, well your voice that is, sense he heard you in Aladdin. He has memorized basically every line in the movie. It also helps that my wife and myself are also fans. I just really want to say thank you again and hope that this email finds you safe and secure.
With Sincere thanks,
COB Speicher (Dec 18, 2007)
Balad Airbase
Camp Arifjan (Dec 17, 2007)
(Dec 17, 2007)
Kandahar
Kabul (Dec 20, 2007)
Rota (Dec 22, 2007)
