The USO recently deployed four cast members from the FX original series “Sons of Anarchy” to visit troops in the Persian Gulf on a USO/Armed Forces Entertainment tour. Trading in their motorcycles for body armor were actors Kim Coates (Tig), Mark Boone Junior (Bobby), Theo Rossi (Juice) and Dayton Callie (Chief Unser) who signed autographs, posed for photos and extended their gratitude to America’s troops.
Dayton Callie, Theo Rossi, Mark Boone Junior and Kim Coates during their USO tour in the Persian Gulf
The eight-day USO tour visited Kuwait and Iraq, and touched more than 2,000 service men and women. Among the installations visited were Camp Arifjan, Camp Taji and Joint Base Balad. This was the first USO tour for the quartet.
In 2009, 157 USO celebrity entertainers traveled to 25 countries and 8 states, entertaining more than 275,000 troops and family members. “Leading up to this USO tour, I was very excited and couldn’t wait for it happen.” said Mark Boone Junior. “Now that it’s over and after spending time with the brave men and women serving on the frontlines, I can say that this trip has exceeded my expectations.”
All photos courtesy (and copyright) of the USO.
The actors came to Iraq to show their support for service members overseas. Kim Coates said, “I loved every moment of this trip, from being in the desert meeting service members to sharing this experience with my cast mates. I know that each of us walked away from our USO experience with a greater sense of how much these young men and women sacrifice on a daily basis. I can’t wait to do it again!”
They all signed autographs, held meet and greets and posed for photos with all service members. Theo Rossi said he was humbled by the experience. “We are a country at war, if you watch the news you know that. But this trip wasn’t about the war. It was about the troops and letting them know that they aren’t forgotten and that we appreciate the sacrifices they make every day.”
Even Dayton Callie seemed to be at a loss for words. “Thank you to the men and women who serve this country and thank you to the USO for making this trip happen. I honestly don’t know what else to say, this was an experience of a lifetime and I am so grateful to have been a part of it.”
Kim Coates discusses his experience about visiting service members during a USO tour with a military reporter.
Seems like they had a great time going out there and boosting the morale of all those soldiers.