STAMFORD, Conn.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Multi-platinum recording artist and four-time Grammy nominee, Daughtry joins WWE Superstars to honor the United States Armed Forces with the 11th annual WWE Tribute to the Troops holiday celebration that will air as a one-hour television special on Saturday, December 28 at 8/7C on NBC.
WWE Tribute to the Troops is considered the most patriotic show on television. In the grand tradition of Bob Hope, WWE has been entertaining American military personnel both overseas and in the U.S. for more than a decade. In recognition of these efforts, WWE received the first-ever Legacy of Hope Award, named after Bob Hope, in 2004. This year, the holiday tradition will be hosted by Access Hollywood’s Michelle Beadle and will include special messages from some of the biggest names in Hollywood such as Will Ferrell, Bruce Willis, Ryan Seacrest, Christina Applegate and Stephen Colbert. Additionally, comedian Jeff Dunham will perform live for troops and their families.
The event will emanate from Joint Base Lewis-McChord, WA, which is the largest operational base in the world and houses more than 100,000 civilians, troops and family members from the Army, Navy, Air Force and Marines. This celebration at Joint Base Lewis-McChord will be the first time WWE has partnered with the United States Air Force for its annual holiday celebration. WWE worked closely with Washington State Governor Jay Inslee in selecting the joint base for this show.
“We are very proud to welcome WWE to Washington state, home of WWE greats like Greg ‘The Hammer’ Valentine and Daniel Bryan,” said Governor Jay Inslee. “The men and women in the military, and their families, serve our state and our nation with admirable dedication. I know they are looking forward to Tribute to the Troops, and we are looking forward to saying thanks for all they do.”
"It's a great honor for Joint Base Lewis-McChord to host WWE’s annual Tribute to the Troops show,” said Colonel H. Charles Hodges, Jr., JBLM Joint Base Commander. “This is a unique opportunity for our Service members and their families to be a part of something special. Many of our troops are passionate WWE fans, and the excitement is already building.”
“Tribute to the Troops is WWE’s way of thanking those who have sacrificed so much for our country as well as those who continue to defend our freedom today,” said WWE Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Vince McMahon. “We are proud to continue this annual tradition with our partners at Joint Base Lewis-McChord and Governor Inslee.”
As a part of the annual celebration, WWE Superstars and Divas will spend the day at Joint Base Lewis-McChord and nearby Naval Base Kitsap, hosting Be a STAR (Show Tolerance And Respect) anti-bullying rallies and reading celebrations as well as making hospital visits.
WWE Tribute to the Troops will also chronicle WWE’s goodwill visit to our troops overseas. WWE Chairman and CEO Vince McMahon, WWE Superstars Big Show® and R-Truth® and WWE Divas Eva Marie and Alicia Fox will travel overseas to spread some much needed holiday cheer to the men and women serving our country far from home during the holiday season.
Daughtry has won four American Music Awards, sold millions of albums and singles around the world, and continues to give back to the military by performing at deployment locations as well as sold out arenas around the world. Daughtry recently released the album "Baptized" featuring the single "Waiting For Superman," which has garnered critical acclaim.
About WWE:
WWE, a publicly traded company (NYSE:WWE), is an integrated media organization and recognized leader in global entertainment. The company consists of a portfolio of businesses that create and deliver original content 52 weeks a year to a global audience. WWE is committed to family friendly entertainment on its television programming, pay-per-view, digital media and publishing platforms. WWE programming is broadcast in more than 150 countries and 30 languages and reaches more than 650 million homes worldwide. The company is headquartered in Stamford, Conn., with offices in New York, Los Angeles, London, Miami, Mumbai, Shanghai, Singapore, Munich and Tokyo.
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About WWE’s Support for the U.S. Military:
WWE has been a strong supporter of the U.S. military through programs that boost morale for soldiers, offer free entertainment for active servicemen and servicewomen and provide workforce assistance for veterans. In 2004, the USO of Metropolitan Washington presented WWE with the first ever "Legacy of Hope" award (named after Bob Hope) for the company's extensive support of troops and the USO's Operation Care Package Program. In 2012, WWE celebrated the 10th anniversary of its annual holiday special event, Tribute to the Troops, which has taken place on active military bases in Iraq and Afghanistan as well as joint operating bases here in the U.S. Also in 2012, WWE established a partnership with Hire Heroes USA, a nonprofit organization dedicated to helping veterans find employment. WWE supports Hire Heroes USA through financial contributions and by utilizing all its assets, including TV broadcasts, live events, and digital and social media to generate awareness and raise funds. In addition, Hire Heroes is helping WWE implement a veterans hiring initiative and to enhance its military hiring practices.
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