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A different view of Robin Williams Printer friendly page Print This
By Compiled by Cem Ertür
Axis of Logic
Thursday, Aug 14, 2014

Editor's Note: I laughed aloud at Robin Williams rapid-fire jokes like our Resident Poet and essayist laughed and described so well in his essay published yesterday on Axis of Logic, Laugh Tracks in the Sand: a Tribute to Robin Williams. I also appreciated some of his work as an actor in films such as Dead Poet's Society and others. But contributing writer, Cem Ertür sent the following compilation of photos and captions showing how Robin Williams supported the US troops in Afghanistan and Iraq during his career - as a reminder of how great entertainers are used by the US establishment to promote war in foreign countries.

- Les Blough, Editor
Axis of Logic

"No Laughing Matter"


The late actor and comedian Robin Williams has consistently devoted his fame, talent and charm to U.S. Army's propaganda events for the genocidal wars on Afghanistan and Iraq.

According to the United Service Organizations (USO):

“[Robin] Williams went on six USO tours from 2002 to 2013, including five overseas. He visited [U.S.] troops in 12 foreign countries, making three stops to both Iraq and Afghanistan. [...]  The USO’s Entertainment team estimates [Robin] Williams performed for or visited with more than 89,000 [U.S. Army] service members during his 12-plus years of volunteering.”[1]

According to U.S. Defense Minister Chuck Hagel:

“The entire [U.S.] Department of Defense community mourns the loss of Robin Williams. Robin was a gifted actor and comedian, but he was also a true friend and supporter of our troops. From entertaining thousands of service men and women in war zones, to his philanthropy that helped veterans struggling with hidden wounds of war, he was a loyal and compassionate advocate for all who serve this nation in uniform.”[2]


Standing next to a RQ-1B Predator drone, actor Robin Williams entertains the 776th Expeditionary Airlift Squadron crew during his visit to an overseas U.S. Air Force base used in the war on Afghanistan, 19 October 2002


Actor Robin Williams poses with the 776th Expeditionary Airlift Squadron crew during his visit to visit to an overseas U.S. Air Force base used in the war on Afghanistan, 19 October 2002


Actor Robin Williams gets a briefing on the equipment of 438th Air Expeditionary Group during his visit to an overseas U.S. Air Force base
used in the war on Afghanistan, 19 October 2002


Chairman of U.S. Joint Chiefs of Staff Richard Myers, USCENTCOM commander John Abizaid, U.S. 4th Infantry Division commander Ray Odierno, 173rd Airborne Brigade commander William Mayville, wrestler Kurt Angle, model Leeann Tweeden and racing driver Mike Wallace pose during a United Service Organizations (USO) show, U.S. Kirkuk Air Base, Iraq, 17 December 2003


Actor Robin Williams entertains the crew aboard USS Enterprise aircraft carrier which has been deployed for the war on Iraq, 19 December 2003


Actor Robin Williams greets U.S. troops prior to his show at a U.S. military base in Ramadi, Iraq, 19 December 2007


Actor Robin Williams performs in a United Service Organizations (USO) show at the U.S. military base Camp Victory, Baghdad, Iraq, 13 December 2010. The show, hosted by Chairman of the U.S. Joint Chiefs of Staff Mike Mullen and his wife, Deborah Mullen, also featured performances by comedians Lewis Black and Kathleen Madigan, country singer Kix Brooks, country songwriter Bob DiPiero and racing cyclist Lance Armstrong.

Notes:

[1]   ‘He Brought Them Light’: How Robin Williams Turned his USO Tours into Personal Experiences for Troops
United Service Organizations (USO) website, 12 August 2014

[2]   Statement by Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel on the Passing of Robin Williams
U.S. Department of Defense website, 11 August 2014


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