Brenda - I thought you might be interested in this news story in my hometown paper this morning. Proof that even some of the "Hollywood Crowd" has great respect for our service women and men!
Star-Studded Night
By KEVIN WALKER
kwalker@tampatrib.com
Published: Dec 5, 2002
TAMPA - Three Hollywood stars made a whirlwind visit Wednesday to MacDill Air Force Base and the U.S. Central Command surrounded by the usual hoopla that accompanies people who make a living on the silver screen.
But it was the stars - Robert De Niro, Billy Crystal and Kevin Spacey - who felt humbled.
``You don't have to thank us for coming here,'' Crystal told 1,500 troops gathered for a movie screening in a base hangar. ``We thank you. We have the easy jobs.''
The three actors visited the base as part of an advance screening of the comedy ``Analyze That,'' which stars De Niro as a mob boss and Crystal as his psychiatrist. It's the sequel to ``Analyze This,'' the hit movie from 1999.
The trio arrived at the base Wednesday afternoon and attended a barbecue, signing autographs and shaking hands.
Spacey, who does not appear in ``Analyze That,'' said later he came to Tampa at De Niro's request.
``I wanted this opportunity to meet some of the men and women who are making sacrifices for the rest of us,'' he said.
The trio were joined by a number of local officials and celebrities, including Tampa City Councilman Bob Buckhorn and Tampa Bay Buccaneer John Lynch. The troops were overwhelmed by the celebrities.
``We're all putting in a lot of long hours,'' said Maj. Dan Fitzpatrick. ``It's nice to have them come here from the outside and let us know how much they appreciate what we're doing.''
Sgt. Patience Davis said many on the base were ``thrilled'' about the visit. She even managed to get Crystal to sign her uniform cap. She admitted that might cause problems at her next inspection.
``I'm going to have to buy a new one, or dust off an old one before that,'' she said.
Known for not enjoying public speaking, De Niro spoke briefly to the crowd gathered for the screening.
Reading from a prepared text, De Niro said, ``On Sept. 11, I watched the World Trade Center collapse. I will never forget that. I want you to know that I will never forget all of you, either.''
Gen. Tommy Franks, head of U.S. Central Command, also spoke. In a long speech in which he quoted President Teddy Roosevelt, Franks finally joked, ``I'm almost finished. I'm the only ******* four- star general in the place, and I'll speak as long as I want to!''
He got a standing ovation.
Crystal, who followed Franks, quipped: ``Gen. Franks, if we do a third one, I want to analyze you.''
The event was born out of earlier conversations between De Niro and Franks. De Niro had wanted to do something for the troops. He underscored his commitment at the end of his short speech.
``We are here for one reason, and one reason only: to pay tribute to all of you,'' De Niro said. ``Wherever you go, we'll be there.''
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