Actor Christian Slater visits with the troops in Djibouti, where he was making his first USO trip. The actor signed autographs and posed for pictures during his stay over the weekend. (John Vandiver / Stars and Stripes)
Far from the glitz, a group of Hollywood stars dropped in to visit troops at Camp Lemonier, Djibouti, over the weekend, signing autographs and taking part in some Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa civil affairs projects.
Christian Slater, perhaps best known for starring roles in the cult classic "Heathers" and "True Romance," was among the stars taking part in their first United Service Organizations tour.
"These are the guys keeping us safe at home so that we’re able to do what we do," said Slater. "We’re here to show our gratitude."
Slater was accompanied by actors Zachary Levi from the NBC series "Chuck"; Joel Moore from the film "Dodgeball," and Kal Penn, whose most recent movie was the comedy "Harold & Kumar Escape from Guantanamo Bay," and left the TV show "House" to work for the Obama administration.
While entertainers routinely make it out to the big bases in Iraq, outposts like Camp Lemonier get less attention.
"It’s nice to come out to a place like this," said Moore.
During their visit, the actors bunked in a Containerized Housing Unit, or "Chu," just like the soldiers, sailors, Marines and airmen stationed in Djibouti. The actors said they were pleasantly surprised by their Chu, which offers a little reprieve from the sweltering heat.
"But it’s only uncomfortable for us for a couple of days," Levi noted.
Actor Christian Slater visits with the troops in Djibouti, where he was making his first USO trip. The actor signed autographs and posed for pictures during his stay over the weekend. (John Vandiver / Stars and Stripes)
From left to right, actors Joel Moore, Kal Penn, Zachary Levi and Christian Slater, traveled to Camp Lemonoir as part of a USO trip. The group arrived on Friday after spending time with the crew on the USS Dwight D. Eisenhower. (John Vandiver / Stars and Stripes)
