Spc. Josh Saye smiled broadly as World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) Superstar John Cena autographed a target for him.
"Josh, thank you for teaching me how to make this target very dead!!" Cena wrote in blue ink on the target after he had fired a M4 rifle and perforated it with more than 50 bullet holes.
"Thank you!" said a very enthused Saye as Cena handed over the target.
"You are the man!"
Indeed.
A professional wrestler, bodybuilder, rapper and actor, Cena is the current World Heavyweight Champion and hold a record 14 world championships.
He is also a champion with soldiers.
Very much at ease with soldiers from 1st Battalion, 38th Infantry Regiment, Cena clearly enjoyed joking with and talking to them.
"It is an indescribable feeling to be able to spend time with these guys and gals," Cena said after firing a M4 and M9 today on Range 16.
"Doing this is why I get out of bed in the morning; doing this for these soldiers validates everything for me."
>>> WWE Champion John Cena puts on some body armor before firing on Range 16 with soldiers from 1st Battalion, 38th Infantry Regiment. Photo credit: J.M. Simpson
WWE came to Joint Base Lewis-McChord to film its 11th annual WWE Tribute to the Troops holiday celebration. It features WWE stars and divas who will spend time with JBLM service members and their families at various locations.
The day's events will wrap up this evening with a special wrestling show that will take place in Hangar 4 on McChord Field at 7 p.m. Gates open at 5:45 p.m.
The Tribute to the Troops is considered one of the most patriotic shows 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.
The one-hour television will emanate from JBLM as a one-hour special on Saturday, Dec. 28 at 8 p.m.
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.
"We are very proud to welcome WWE to Washington state, home of WWE greats like Greg ‘The Hammer' Valentine and Daniel Bryan," Governor Jay Inslee said in a press release.
After shooting on the range, Cena took more time to pose for photographs and talk with soldiers.
"It is just great to be here, to show the respect due these guys and gals for all they do," Cena said.
"They've earned it."
>>> John Cena, WWE Wrestling champion, puts a round into a target while visiting soldiers and their family members. Photo credit: J.M. Simpson
>>> Spc. Josh Saye, 1st Battalion, 38th Infantry Regiment, watches as WWE Wrestling Champion John Cena prepares to fire. Photo credit: J.M. Simpson