World Wrestling Entertainment® would like to thank both President Obama
and General Petraeus for providing the WWE® with taped, non-partisan
holiday messages to the men and women in the US Armed Forces to be
included in our annual special, "Tribute to the Troops,” this Saturday
on NBC at 9 PM ET. This marks the second year that the Commander in
Chief has provided a special message for the troops.
For the last seven years, WWE has traveled to the Middle East to
entertain troops serving overseas in appreciation for their service to
our country. WWE would also like to thank all those responsible in the
White House, First Lady’s office and the US Central Command for making
this happen.
The request process for the President’s video began in April 2009, when
WWE met with Trooper Sanders, Deputy Director of Policy and Projects for
the First Lady. WWE continued these discussions after Labor Day as
requested. In November, WWE was pleased to receive confirmation from
Matt Flavin, Director of Veterans and Wounded Warrior Policy at the
White House, that a Presidential message would be supplied for "Tribute
to the Troops.” WWE supplied background information, as well as our
production and deadline needs. We received confirmation on Monday that
President Obama’s message had been taped, and it was delivered on
Tuesday morning.
We are hopeful that everyone, especially the service men and women of
the Armed Forces and their families, enjoy "Tribute to the Troops.”
World
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