Below is WWE’s announcement on this year’s Tribute to The Troops taping, with comments from Vince McMahon.
WWE Salutes America’s Armed Forces with the 12th Annual Tribute to the Troops
STAMFORD, Conn. and ATLANTA – WWE (NYSE:WWE) and Georgia State Governor Nathan Deal today announced that the 12th annual WWE Tribute to the Troops event will be held on Tuesday, December 9 at the Columbus Civic Center for the military personnel and their families stationed at United States Army post Fort Benning.
In the tradition of Bob Hope, WWE brings together the best of sports entertainment and pop culture with celebrity appearances and performances from music’s most popular acts for our servicemen and women to honor their commitment and dedication to our country. Tribute to the Troops has become a holiday tradition and is considered TV’s most patriotic and heartwarming show of the year. An air date and time for the nationally televised broadcast on NBC will be announced at a later date.
“The commitment and bravery displayed by our servicemen and women are unparalleled and worthy of praise,” said Gov. Deal. “This annual Tribute to the Troops event provides us the opportunity to express our sincerest gratitude to those who put our safety above their own, and we’re excited WWE has chosen to host this event in the great state of Georgia.”
“We appreciate the long-time support WWE has offered our troops,” said COL Michail Huerter, Fort Benning Garrison Commander. “Tribute to the Troops is a unique opportunity for our soldiers and their families to come out and enjoy a show that thanks them for their service.”
“For 12 consecutive years, WWE has been entertaining American military personnel both overseas and domestically as a way to thank them for their commitment and sacrifice for our country,” said WWE Chairman & CEO, Vince McMahon. “Our servicemen and women work tirelessly for our freedom and we are proud to continue the Tribute to the Troops tradition with our partners at Ft. Benning and Governor Deal.”
Following the show, WWE Superstars and Divas will spend Wednesday, December 10 at Fort Benning giving back to those who serve and their families with Be a STAR anti-bullying rallies, hospital visits and career workshops.
Fort Benning is a United States Army post outside Columbus, Georgia. Fort Benning supports more than 120,000 active-duty military, family members, reserve component soldiers, retirees, and civilian employees on a daily basis. Since 1918, Fort Benning, has served as the Home of the Infantry and is now the home of the United States Army Maneuver Center of Excellence, the United States Army Armor School, United States Army Infantry School, the Western Hemisphere Institute for Security Cooperation, elements of the 75th Ranger Regiment, 3rd Brigade, 3rd Infantry Division, and many other units.
For the first time ever, troops will also be treated to a taping of WWE SmackDown in conjunction with Tribute to the Troops. With nearly 800 original episodes, SmackDown is the second longest-running weekly episodic program in U.S. television history, only behind WWE’s flagship program, Monday Night Raw.
