Mark Wahlberg has spent several days just before the holidays in Afghaniston, doing a USO tour of the United States Marine Corps base located in Helmand Province, Camp Leatherneck. These are some of the great photos, and you can see more here at the USO’s site. According to the USO site, Mark screened The Fighter for the servicemen and women, he toured the 443 acre camp, and he spent days meeting Marines, taking photos, eating with the troops, and even meeting wounded soldiers. It’s all pretty awesome, and some of the photos brought a tear to my eye. Gah! All I need is some schmaltzy patriotism to get me going. Show me a photo of a little girl holding an American flag, waving to someone in uniform, and I’m bawling.
But of course there is another side to it – Mark is promoting The Fighter, which he not only stars in, but produces. He wants the film to make money, and he wants, at the very least, to get Christian Bale an Oscar. Mark would probably also like an Oscar nomination for himself, and maybe Amy Adams too. So there is a dose of “Look, Academy voters, I spent the holidays on a USO tour!” BUT – the awesomeness of Mark spending all of this time in Afghanistan rather than on some beach far outweighs any personal or professional benefit he gets. Plus, I’m sure the troops loved meeting him. I know many of you seem to think he’s a tool, but – just my opinion – he’s maturing into one of the nicest and most professional dudes out there.
Go here to find out more about the USO, and go here to donate.
And we didn’t find out about it until now…which is another reason why I love him! How nice & relatively low-key his visit has been, as opposed to Jessica’s “Barfing Through Her USO Tour” (I’m sure there are others as well, but I worked all night and will not bother to check it out). And he’s an ACTUAL, REAL LIVE STAR, not just a poseur wannabe.
Gosh, he’s beautiful! Love a sexy, low-key family man!
Agreed. He seems to have become a really nice guy.
kaiser, it’s spelled, ‘bawling’, if you’re talking about crying. however, if patriotism makes you get all liquidy and sexy then ‘balling’ IS the correct spelling. your call. ;-D
“BUT – the awesomeness of Mark spending all of this time in Afghanistan rather than on some beach far outweighs any personal or professional benefit he gets.”
ITA, Kaiser.
Whatever the perceived *real reason* he made the visit, if it means that for a few minutes the men and women who fight to maintain our freedom are entertained and enjoying the thrill of meeting a movie star, then I’m not going to fault him for the visit.
I can’t wait to see this movie.
Why does someone’s good deed, unless it is Jolie, always have to be turned into something negative. He and his brother BOTH have been involved with the USO for years. It isn’t always about self promotion.
tiki @#2, lol. Almost had coffee coming out of my nose for a minute.
Good for Wahlberg. I’ve seen enough of celebs on the beach. This is a nice change of pace.
I love the body language-he is obviously engaged with the servicemen/women, interacting with them, giving them support and admiration-even though he’s a -STAR.
Good deal!
@devilgirl
I was going to say the opposite is true (check out the Jolie Pitt Foundation thread). They’re usually the ones perceived as stars who only do charitable work for publicity. I’ll admit that my first thought when I saw this post was ‘Oscar time!’
Heck, one poster recently accused Natalie Portman of getting pregnant to increase her odds of winning that meaningless statue.
We’re all way too cyncial, but can you blame us?
I love him….he is such a nice guy, family man, and now visiting our soldiers. Even if he also is promoting his movie, so what he’s still doing something good (even campaigning for Christian Bale.)
Good for him! My husband’s over there right now, different camp though. Also, the woman in the first photo is probably the most adorable female Marine I’ve ever seen.
Wow, he is awesome. My husband spent time in Iraq and got to meet the Governator, but he was there in the very beginning before it was safe for USO tours. These visits mean alot to our troops.
@devilgirl: LOL. Anytime that Angelina does something for charity it’s always reported at a publicity stunt. I have no clue where you got the idea Angelina is always portrayed as being positive. Also this trip was reported days ago on entertainment programs and blogs. I do find it goofy that whenever celebrities have a movie out and visit the troops they bring their movie.
I love that we didn’t hear about it until now. The boston local papers reported it but the national media hadnt covered it. Really admire how Walberg has grown, he admits his mistakes and regrets his past actions but has really matured.
@neelyo-I would say be a cynic when the person has never done this before and then all of a sudden does something good when an award is possible.
Mark and Donny have both been very involved with the troops for years. This is not something new for him, nor for his brother. So I tend to believe that this was done because he had it scheduled. You do not just pick up and go on these tours at the drop of a hat. They are planned, and I am sure when it was planned, no one new that Wahlberg would be considered for an Oscar or how The Fighter was going to be received.
@Louise- I have no desire to argue with anyone here. As I have stated many times, both Wahlbergs have been involved with the troops for years. This is not something new.
I suppose we can all agree to disagree, as it is New Year’s and I do not plan to ring it in with trying to be right or tell someone they are wrong.
The fact of the matter, any attention our troops get from a celebrity is great! I don’t care if they have ulterior motives or not, because the people who matter are the men and women who are protecting us and fighting for our freedoms. If this type of thing makes them happy and gives them a bit of fun from their routine, it is positive no matter why it was done or who the celebrity is.
Happy New Year folks!
MY SON IS IN THE ARMY AND HAS HAD 3 TOURS IN AFGHANISTAN.ALL I CAN SAY IS THAT YOU HAVE TO BE MADE OF THE RIGHT STUFF TO GO OVER THERE ..PUBLICITY OR NO PUBLICITY,IN MY BOOK HE SCORES A BIG 10.WHAT A GREAT GUY!!
Actually he gave an interview on Extra or some Entertainment show talking about his plans. So this was not a surprise to the public.
Good that he went to support the men/women over there.
I don’t understand why celebs that get publicity for a cause are called fake or in it for PR.. DUH the reason causes raise money is because of PR. it gets them in the media. Which is the purpose. that is why we have commercials ST. Judes, or Cancer Research. That is why there are telethons after disasters. IT IS CALLED PR/Media Attention.
The thing some don’t understand is the media focuses on certain celebs. That does not mean that they are putting it out there.
Now I just love him even more. And notice how there was no press release at the time, he just went.
This is so great…if only he had done it in his Calvins…
Yeah he was on Extra saying he was going last week but would be back for Christmas.
I always thought he was such a d-bag,
but I’m slowly starting to really like him, I can’t wait to see The Fighter!
my gay boyfriend wants to know why marky mark isn’t on the 2010 dong list? i don’t get the attraction but he has it bad for him & adrien grenier. meh.
Awww, I love Mark Wahlberg, he’s so likable. That doesn’t change that “The Other Guys” kind of sucked. But it doesn’t change that I like him!
Personally speaking, I never thought he was a tool.
I adore him…..If you have not seen The Fighter, it is absolutely excellent. Oscar worthy!!
Olivia, thank you so much to your family, especially your son, for his service.
Maybe he is a tool 90% of the time. I don’t know.
But he did a gracious and gallant thing here, and he gets credit with me for this.
LOVE the Wahlberg bros – especially Mark; in fact, 4 Brothers is in my PSP3 right now!
Its amazing no one shot him to stop him from making crappy movies.
It’s nice to find a good blog post. I enjoy lots of the articles on your web site.
The fact of the matter, any attention our troops get from a celebrity is great! I don’t care if they have ulterior motives or not, because the people who matter are the men and women who are protecting us and fighting for our freedoms. If this type of thing makes them happy and gives them a bit of fun from their routine, it is positive no matter why it was done or who the celebrity is.
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Amen, devilgirl.
What a sweet story. Agreed, it’s very lovely he spent this time of year like this instead of on some beach.
These pics do look very genuine and heartwarming. Something about his expressions when he’s talking to each troop and really looking at them instead of “finding his light,” the way he’s smiling in the pics like a real person and not Mr. Ima Bigshot, and the way he’s dressed make it look like the occasion really was all about the people he’s visiting. He has made it about them, even looks shy and personable when the camera catches him alone.
Cool story, great pics. Heartwarming and refreshing.
Absolutely love this man.
Always have, always will.
LOVE HIM!!!