Hollywood Knights tour U.S. bases; takes on military basketball teams

Published Sept. 29, 2008
By Senior Master Sgt. Cheryl L. Toner
52nd Fighter Wing Public Affairs

SPANGDAHLEM AIR BASE, Germany -- "Thanks for letting me enjoy my life back home," said Michael Mirisch, Hollywood Knights CEO, as he and a group of actors were given a close-up tour of an F-16 Sept. 25 by 22nd Fighter Squadron pilot Capt. Robert Sandwith. This one thought - something he admits chokes him up - underlies what Mr. Mirisch does with the Hollywood Knights.

In this charity-driven effort, actors agreed to tour Germany, Netherlands and Belgium Sept. 18-28, and play a game of basketball against the wing or post team. A company founded by his father, Mr. Mirisch said he's been setting up celebrity tours like this one for 25 years.

The HK worked closely with the United Service Organization on this, their first partnership, according to Jeff Harvey, USO tour manager. The result? "We've gotten nothing but fantastic feedback from both military and family members," he said. "They really, really want to be here," Mr. Harvey said of the actors, who he said will always stop and give an autograph or a handshake.

The actors also were given a behind-the-scenes look at many military assets. At Spangdahlem, they were hosted by the Big 22 for a static display. "I love this stuff," said Mr. Mirisch of the fighter.

Prior to the flightline trip, the group ate lunch, gave autographs and had their pictures taken with about 30 Airmen at the Mosel Dining Hall. Of course, any other Airman who came in and wanted a photo or an autograph walked away with a smile worthy of that photo they just took.

The main event for their one-night stay at Spangdahlem was a basketball game they played against the base team, The Spangdahlem Sabers. The final score was 70-82; the Knights crushed the base team. Both on and off the court, the actors continuously said that they had nothing but respect for military members. And it's just not the active duty person, according to both Geoff Stults, of "7th Heaven" and "October Road," and Sam Page of "Shark." Having just visited U.S. Army Garrison Baumholder, Germany, both actors said that they talked to many women whose husbands were deployed and said they were happy to do something special for the families.

They both agreed that it not only had to be hard to have a husband or wife deployed to the Middle East, but also to be living in another country, away from their parents and other relatives. Mr. Stults said that he has participated in a lot of charity events; however, this is his first USO tour. This is also the one time he really felt like he was doing something that got him "right here," he said as he put his hand on his chest.
In the end, Mr. Mirisch said, "Everybody back home has nothing but mad love for you ... and what you do."

Other actors on the trip were: Brad Beyer who plays Stanley Richmond on "Jericho," Stephen Colletti who plays Chase Adams on "One Tree Hill," Matt Czuchry who plays Chris Kennedy on "Friday Night Lights," Eric Millegan who plays Dr. Zack Addy on "Bones," Leonard Robinson who is a comedian on "Nick Cannon Presents: Wild 'N Out," Wolf who stars as himself on "American Gladiators," and DJ D-Wrek, a music mix master on "Nick Cannon Presents: Wild 'N Out."