Courtesy of WWE.com:
WWE and Georgia State Governor Nathan Deal today announced that the 12th annual WWE Tribute to the Troops event will be held on Tuesday, Dec. 9 at the Columbus Civic Center for the military personnel and their families stationed at United States Army post Fort Benning.
In the tradition of Bob Hope, WWE brings together the best of sports entertainment and pop culture with celebrity appearances and performances from music’s most popular acts for our service men and women to honor their commitment and dedication to our country. Tribute to the Troops has become a holiday tradition and is considered TV’s most patriotic and heartwarming show of the year.
“The commitment and bravery displayed by our service men and women are unparalleled and worthy of praise,” said Gov. Deal. “This annual Tribute to the Troops event provides us the opportunity to express our sincerest gratitude to those who put our safety above their own, and we’re excited WWE has chosen to host this event in the great state of Georgia.”
“We appreciate the long-time support WWE has offered our troops,” said COL Michail Huerter, Fort Benning Garrison Commander. “Tribute to the Troops is a unique opportunity for our soldiers and their families to come out and enjoy a show that thanks them for their service.”
“For 12 consecutive years, WWE has been entertaining American military personnel both overseas and domestically as a way to thank them for their commitment and sacrifice for our country,” said WWE Chairman Vince McMahon. “Our service men and women work tirelessly for our freedom and we are proud to continue the Tribute to the Troops tradition with our partners at Ft. Benning and Governor Deal.”
WWE Superstars and Divas will spend Wednesday, Dec. 10 at Fort Benning giving back to those who serve and their families and spending quality time with our servicemen and women.
Fort Benning is a United States Army post outside Columbus, Georgia. Fort Benning supports more than 120,000 active-duty military, family members, reserve component soldiers, retirees, and civilian employees on a daily basis. Since 1918, Fort Benning, has served as the Home of the Infantry and is now the home of the United States Army Maneuver Center of Excellence, the United States Army Armor School, United States Army Infantry School, the Western Hemisphere Institute for Security Cooperation, elements of the 75th Ranger Regiment, 3rd Brigade, 3rd Infantry Division, and many other additional units.
For the first time ever, troops will also be treated to a taping of WWE SmackDown in conjunction with Tribute to the Troops. With more than 750 original episodes, SmackDown is the second longest-running weekly episodic program in U.S. television history, only behind WWE’s flagship program, Monday Night Raw.