During Day 3 of Tribute to the Troops, Michael Cole had the opportunity to talk to many servicemen about their time in Iraq and the WWE's visit.

Here are some of their thoughts in their own words:

Staff Sgt. Stephen Sandoval, US Army
Colorado Springs, Co.
I have been in Iraq for 12 months on this, my third tour of this country. I am a mechanic and a scout. I am in charge of vehicle maintenance. I am really excited to be a part of the Tribute to the Troops show, and even more excited to be a part of the set-up of the arena.

I am just glad to have the opportunity to come out here and show my support for WWE and the Superstars who have given up their time to come here. It is so important the soldiers are entertained, and I just want to thank WWE for doing this.

It’s a bit different then I expected, the stage, the ring, the ringside area is much different than I imagined. I am learning a ton.

I have a wife and four kids at home. My wife is the true hero; she is a strong woman dealing with everything at home while I am over here. I am just asking her to hang on a little bit longer, I will be home soon.

Seaman Gavin Riley, US Navy
Rockaway Queens, N.Y.
I am one of the few from the Navy here, and I believe the only Navy man helping with the set-up of the WWE arena for the Tribute to the Troops show. Volunteering to help the show gives me a chance to work with my hands out here. My main job is personnel; I just provide support for those on the front line. The Navy is here to make their jobs easier, taking care of paperwork and the like.

I am a huge part of your WWE Universe! This is so much different than I was expecting. This is so much more than I expected. At the end of the day when my family records this show and we watch it when I get home I can tell them “Hey I built that ring, hey I built that stage!” It’s wonderful. 

I have a wife, my parents and two brothers supporting me back home.  This is my first deployment and it’s been so tough being away from home. My wife and I are coming up on our one-year wedding anniversary, yet we were together only about a month before I shipped out. It is incredibly tough, but she is incredibly supportive. I get to go home just after the first of the year so I am excited.

I just want to tell my wife I love you! I want to tell the rest of my family I love you and I miss you. And I want to thank everyone at WWE who are here and at home, thanks! This is incredible.

Sgt. Michael Stanke, US Army
Wisconsin. (Stationed in Fort Hood, Texas)
This is my second deployment in Iraq. Over past few years I have spent 27 months in Iraq and only 19 months in the states. I have been on this tour for a little more than a year now, and still have about four months left. My daily job is I am in charge of all personnel in my unit, more than 400 people. I handle everything from pay to redeployment issues. 

I volunteered for this WWE detail because it is a once in a lifetime opportunity. I watch WWE all the time here in Iraq! I love it; I have been a WWE fan for my whole life! The ring set-up was the most interesting thing I have done. We got a behind-the-scenes view of how everything is set-up and built from the ground up. It has been so cool being so interactive with the workers, the camera crew, the directors, everyone.

I respect WWE and all it does to support us out here. They do an incredible job and I wanted to help WWE as a way of saying thanks! 

John Cena is my favorite WWE Superstar. He seems to embody everything the Armed Forces are about. He respects all his fans and respects the troops. He wears his dog tags out to every show and he always does the salute, and is one of the only people I have seen who actually does the salute correctly. His whole mentality, toughness, work ethic, the whole package! I also respect the fact he played college football.

I want to tell my mom and dad and my family that I miss them and I wish I could be home for Christmas. It’s been a long time since I could spend the holidays in the states. 

I want to send a special shout-out to my friend James Richardson from Texas, a prior serviceman. He was injured over here on his last tour! Just wanted to say we are thinking about you.

Spc. Richard Litz, US Army
Virginia
On a daily basis I resupply more than 800 soldiers with food, water, MREs, and stuff of that nature. I have been in Iraq for a bit over a year and I hope to head home in February.
 
I volunteered to help WWE during its tour here because I have been a lifelong fan! But this is so much more than I expected. I figured I would just be out here escorting people around, I didn’t realize I would be actually setting up this whole arena! This is an experience of a lifetime and now I get to go home and tell my family and friends “Hey guess what I got to do!”

I can’t believe I am actually here doing this! Every time WWE has come here I have missed them, but this time I get to be a part of it and will be right there in the front row!

I thought the actual wrestling ring was going to be more bouncy, with springs everywhere, almost like a trampoline.  But once I actually got in there I was amazed it was nothing like I thought.

I can’t wait to see Mickie James because she is a Virginia girl and Jeff Hardy. I have been watching Jeff for years and I can’t wait to watch them in action. I also want to thank John Cena for all he has done for the troops. 

I want to tell my sweetie and my son, I love you and wish I could be with you for Christmas. Also, Austin, I wish you were here to see all this!

Editor's Note: The preceeding was relayed from e-mail message reports from the WWE's Tribute to the Troops mission. Names of the bases visited have been omitted at the request of the U.S. Army, so as not to divulge WWE's location in Iraq.

For complete coverage of Tribute to the Troops, visit the Tribute section on WWE.com. Also, Leave your holiday messages for the troops in the Forums on WWE Universe.

You all, especially Bob, Hayter and Scotty, are some clever MoFo's who absolutely cannot stop crushing each other! LONG LIVE THE BOARD!!!!!!!!!!!!! 

I just finished reading Chris Jericho's book, A Lion's Tale: Around the world in spandex.  It was a very good read.  I learned a lot about Jericho's time in Mexico, Japan, and his time in ECW and WCW. 

I love reading these "wrestler" books because it gives you a behind the scenes look into what was going on in the companies.  I remember watching WCW when Jericho was there and wondering WHY THE HELL DON'T THEY PUSH THIS GUY!  If any of you wrestling geeks (like me) out there are wondering what is was like for Y2J before he went to New York you should definitely check this book out. 

Is anyone else pleased with Jericho's current work?  I think he always makes a great heel.  I'm glad he got a couple more world title reigns too.  The man definately paid his dues. 

Gotta run,

Big Fletch

I have no life... i really, really miss the message boards... i mean, there is only so much gay porn that i can watch during the day.  I need the message boards to act like a tough guy, even though i'm a big pu$$y!!  I have no b@lls and i get off acting tough when i'm hiding behind a computer.

For those who don't know me... I love getting pumped in the a$$ by big d!cks!!

Any megamandingos out there??  .... HIT ME UP!!

The Reds public relations department just sent an e-mail saying the team's ticket prices would not change for the 2009 season.

Maybe this is who Justin REALLY learned his dance moves from!!  :D

 

 INTRO

 PYRO

  GM COMES OUT! ANNOUNCES THE MAIN EVENT THE BIG MAN VS THE GREAT KICKI!

 1. Don Huffman vs. Don Stark Ernie

       Don Huffman wins with THE HUFF KICK!

  2. DWF CHAMPIONSHIP MATCH

    Dolphy Ronalds vs. Fury Mury

   Fury Mury wins with THE FURY BOMB!

  3. DIVA MATCH

    Sadie Marie vs. Donna Star

     Sadie Marie wins with THE SCARED DDT!

  4. INTERGENDER TITLE

      Val Denis Sort vs. The Jungle Cat

      Val Denis Sort wins with THE TRIPLE BOOM-PLEX FOLLOWED BY LEG DROP!

   5. XTREME CHAMPIONSHIP 

     Mick Foley vs Dr. Pain

     Mick Foley wins with a MANDIBLE CLAW OF THE TOP ROPE TTHREW A TABLE!

  6. MAIN EVENT

    The Big Man vs. The Great Kicki

   The Great Kicki wins with THE GREAT KICK OF THE WORLD!

  Promo is shown for DWF PPV NIGHT OF CHAMPIONS after week 4!

        end of show

theking 19

Once I had decided to leave, Hack and Millie knew they couldn’t stop me so they tried to delay me instead.

“Suppose we have a special meal?” Millie said. “I could make all our favourite things and…” I knew she couldn’t call Hack my father any more and she didn’t want to emphasise it. “And we could tell stories. Stories about the Perdus, the flying horse, the talking cat, those kind of things.”

I enjoyed it. Hack raked his memory for tales of Aloyishus, the cat with the ability to talk his way out of everything and Mirandir, the winged black stallion who visited every six hundred years granting one mortal the opportunity to ride upon his back, and the Perdus, the precious talisman that brought happiness unless it was lost. He almost couldn’t finish the last one.

Next morning Moroni arrived like a ghost but we were used to him, moving like an animal through the forest even now when he was stooped and old. An hour after daybreak we were ready to go. Saying goodbye to Millie – well it wasn’t easy but we managed.

We didn’t talk, walking through the woods, even after Hack showed me the spot where he had found me. It had changed a bit in nineteen years. I wondered if he had told me everything but couldn’t bring myself to ask any more. It seemed the kind of thing you didn’t talk about, somehow.

Travelling through the forest with a couple of woodsmen I noticed that communication isn’t often verbal. Hack and Moroni had a way of talking with their eyes or stopping and looking at a bit of brushwood, some disturbed moss on the trail and you knew they had agreed on what it meant. We came across plenty of wildlife; deer, a bear and, off to one side, three wolves as well as the rabble of smaller animals you get in late spring all ignoring three humans passing through.

Finally, the trees began to thin out as the sun dipped behind the mountains. I could see the peaks more clearly where the trees thinned out and knew that Hack would leave next morning after we had camped for the night. I nearly decided then to call a halt. What could I find out anyway? I’d never see Hack and Millie again for all I knew and yet, if I didn’t do this, I would always wonder. It would be under my skin like an itch I couldn’t scratch.

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Tina

can anyone really wait until the playoffs,but we need to remeber that its a long season and anything can happen.we also need t enjoy this year that we are going to have,anyways,Go Cavs. I did not feel like writing a long one so im sorry

Oh poor Bob No Balls, I ask the guy to leave me alone and he repeatedly sends messages (see messages below), much like a stalker, trying to keep up his message board tough-guy persona. Again, tough-guy, all I did was point out what a giant douche you are for trying to bully people and act like a tough guy on an AM Sports Talk Radio Message Board and you flipped out. I know you like to feel strong (because your weak in real life), and what better way to do that than hiding behind a monitor and a keyboard, but enough is enough d!ckbag. Relax, count to ten, breathe deep. I'm sorry for making you face the reality that this is what you look like:

Pictured above: Message Board Tough Guy "Bob No Balls"

Reality sucks for some, especially you, but you have to deal with it sometime. Now can you please leave me alone??? Why don't you go to Sodahead.com??? I'm sure you can be a tough guy over there. And for the record, I don't hate you, I really feel sorry for you and your family...

Here are the messages:

Bob
Loblaw:
The Pied
Piper
for
D0uches

RE^9: HA HA HA HA!

Dec 4, 12:40PM

 Youre being awfully quiet for a stalker. http://allaccess.am570radio.com/klac

Original Message:

RE^9: HA HA HA HA!

Dec 4, 11:51AM

Whats matter johnny boy? Cat got your tongue?

Original Message:

RE^9: HA HA HA HA!

Dec 4, 11:04AM

I think its great that you have dedicated so much energy to hating me. Now I know what its like to have a stalker. Its kind of empowering!

Original Message:

From: JohnC

Subject: RE^8: HA HA HA HA!

Sent: Dec 4, 10:56AM

Is that all you got??? Reversing everything, even relying on childish reverse psychology...LMAO!!! You sound like some right-wing extremist I know...Can you stop badgering me online now, tough-guy??? LOL!!!

Original Message:

From: Bob Loblaw: The Pied Piper for D0uches

Subject: RE^7: HA HA HA HA!

Sent: Dec 4, 10:50AM

Believe me I know. Im watching you and Im sitting here laughing hysterically. Grrrrr.

Original Message:

From: JohnC

Subject: RE^6: HA HA HA HA!

Sent: Dec 4, 10:45AM

In due time tough guy...LMAO! Funny to see a pencil-neck douche acting tough online...hillarious!

Original Message:

From: Bob Loblaw: The Pied Piper for D0uches

Subject: RE^5: HA HA HA HA!

Sent: Dec 4, 10:37AM

C'mon kid. We wont ever see sh1t.

Original Message:

From: JohnC

Subject: RE^4: HA HA HA HA!

Sent: Dec 4, 10:29AM

LOL!!! We will see tough-guy...LMAO!!

What's my name?

What's your name?

Do you love me?

Are you in love with me?

Would you hug me?

Would you kiss me?

If so, where?

Would you make out with me?

Would you sex me?

If it was my birthday, what would you buy me?

Would you date me?

Am I hot, pretty, sexy, or cute?

What do you think of my default?

Am I worth your time?

Do we have a connection?

If so, what kind? (Sexual, friendship, or relationship)

Would you kiss me when you are sober or drunk?

Will you go out with me?

More to follow

this is my first time doing this and i am at work so it's not gonna be very good.

DWF IS COMING

Daily Wrestling Fighting

BE READY FOR A TURN OF EVENTS

JLW IS NOW OVER

THEKING19

Hey everyone  how are you my exams are done! I am done with school till January :) thank god anyways everyone I hope you have a great holiday season and everything don't forget to watch raw next week all going to be amazing. as always I am not giving up about meeting the mcmahon family. hopefully my dream well come true some day. well take care

from alana

Sorry, just talking to the plants.

Now, you lot.  Is this the blog site of a major UK broadsheet or a play ground full of three year olds?

A year ago you were fighting.

I went away for a bit, you were still fighting.

Then I went away again.

I come back and you're still fighting.

Stop it.  I don't care who started it and why, but it stops.  NOW!

I know some viewers that watch RAW, Smackdown! & ECW hate to see a match be interruptted by commercial breaks.  Of course Pay-Per-Views don't air commercials because the viewers are paying for the show and some of that money goes to the WWE and its wrestlers because that's where their money is coming from.

Yes folks, it's all about the money that that's how they do it.  Commercial breaks are important to pay off the bills and TV rights.  And of course, WWE makes sure they don't stop the match during the break...unless the TV crew edits out the fall and airs it via tape.

The only way for commericals to be cut back are the following:

WWE can double the ticket prices for the events in 2009, or increase the prices of WWE merchandise.  They can accept a check for $500,000 to drop three minutes of commercials, or WWE can create a new pay channel where the shows can be aired with no interruptions.

So take your pick.  You watch these shows and sponsors worked out on paying money to WWE to promote themselves.  After all, it's all about the money.

A fellow blogger asked me the other day what he could try in order to get his wife interested in or excited about hunting.

I got to thinking about it, and I think I am perfectly qualified to answer that question.  Afterall, just a few years ago, I never would have dreamed I'd be out with my hubby, throwing on my Scent-Lok, grabbin up my bow, rattling antlers, scent wicks, range finder and the rest of our gear and trecking out, side-by-side with him out into the woods.  Sure, I'd been on some turkey hunts with him as an OBSERVER, and I was always the eager photographer as he proudly showed off his kill, but I never had any desire whatsoever to actually go out into the cold, sit for no telling HOW LONG...I mean, what would I possibly do to entertain myself?  How would I stay warm?  What if I had to pee?  Why would I want to kill an animal and then deal with all the blood and guts that comes after that?  Besides, the doe estrus back then was enough to bring on a full-on gag reflex for me!

Hunting was his area, his thing.  Not mine.  I could use the spare time doing girly things...knitting, baking, reading, scrapbooking, lunching with girlfriends, taking nice long bubble baths, getting pedicures...and lets not forget, SHOPPING!

Now, I've shared on my blog before, how that handsome hubby of mine took a giant leap of faith and went out and bought me my very first bow (a Martin) for Christmas two years ago.  I didn't really have anything special on my Christmas list that year, so I fully planned on getting the usual (but very much appreciated) type of gifts...you know, perfume, chocolates, something from Victoria's Secret...maybe something crafted out of a fine metal and gemstones???  Those are nice gifts most