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Jason “Wee Man” Acuna, motion picture and television personality, takes a photo with Senior Airman Kyle Melnick, 37th Airlift Squadron loadmaster, during the USO Spring Visit March 3 on Ramstein. For their first stop of a multi-country tour, the USO brought Indianapolis Colts players Andrew Luck and Dwayne Allen; Colts coach Chuck Pagano; Pittsburgh Steelers player David DeCastro; and entertainers Philip Phillips, Dennis Haysbert, Miss America 2015 Kira Kazantsev, Ace Young, Diana DeGarmo and Jason “Wee Man” Acuna to Ramstein to visit military members and their families.
Team Ramstein welcomed 10 celebrities to the base during the USO Spring Troop Visit March 3.
The tour was led by Adm. James Winnefeld Jr., vice chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and included Colts coach Chuck Pagano; Colts players Andrew Luck and Dwayne Allen; Pittsburgh Steelers player David DeCastro; and entertainers Diana DeGarmo, Ace Young, Dennis Haysbert, Miss America 2015 Kira Kazantsev, Phillip Phillips and Jason “Wee Man” Acuna.
The group is traveling the world to thank military members and their families for what they do.
Lt. Col. Jobie Turner (right), 37th Airlift Squadron commander, gives celebrities a tour of a U.S. Air Force C-130J Super Hercules during the USO Spring Visit.
“America’s military — men and women who represent the best of our communities — is serving in all corners of the globe to protect our great nation and our freedoms,” Winnefeld said. “As we embark on this eight-day seven-country USO tour, our group of athletes and entertainers will express their
personal gratitude to those serving by sharing their talents.”
Though the celebrities were only on the ground at Ramstein for three hours, they still made time to visit service members at the 37th Airlift Squadron and Kaiserslautern Military Community Center, where they performed for an audience of several hundred.
“It’s great to be here with all these service men and service women,” said Luck, quarterback for the Indianapolis Colts. “I have a high respect for what the military does, what the men and women sacrifice for our country. We really appreciate everything they do.”
The tour is designed to be a moment-filled trip, complete with high-energy shows and memorable base visits. For many service members the design was perfect, creating a moment they would never forget.
Indianapolis Colts tight end Dwayne Allen is tackled by Tech. Sgt. Llewellyn Johnson Jr., 86th Civil Engineer Squadron Airman dorm leader, during the USO Spring Visit.
“It’s a fantastic experience and one I will remember for the rest of my life,” said Airman 1st Class Scott Braun, 86th Aerospace Medicine Squadron bioenvironmental engineering technician. “It was great to have American celebrities and stars bring us a slice of home to Germany. They are a fantastic group of people who seemed like they wanted and really enjoyed being here and talking to the military members.”
Ramstein was the first stop for the group, and though they only got a small taste of the mission here, they will no doubt see the impact the armed forces makes around the world and the influence their visit will have on those serving away from home.
Indianapolis Colts quarterback Andrew Luck greets Brig. Gen. Patrick X. Mordente, 86th Airlift Wing commander, and his wife, Marissa, upon arrival at Ramstein.
Platinum recording artist Phillip Phillips sings for military members and their families during the USO Spring Visit.
