Straight From the Hart By Jimmy Hart

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Straight from the Hart I

Straight From the Hart
By Jimmy Hart
June 29, 2006

Hey, WWE fans. This is the “Mouth of the South,” Jimmy Hart. I’m writing to you from the heart of the Middle East in Kuwait City. Now you might wonder what a Southern boy is doing in this part of the world. I’m here with Ron Simmons, Maria and Ashley on a Legends & Divas Tour with Armed Forces Entertainment to meet our fighting men and women of the U.S. military. We’re going to shake hands, take pictures, swap stories, and thank each and every one of them for making it safe for us to live in the good ole’ USA.

As you know, my son Jimmy Hart, Jr., served in the Army’s 101st Airborne Infantry out of Fort Campbell, Kentucky. When he made it back home safe and sound from Iraq after a year and a day, I made a promise that I would do everything I could for our troops. When Gary Davis (VP, WWE Corporate Communications) and Sue Aitchison (Sr. Manager, WWE Community Relations) called me to ask if I would participate in an event for the USO of Metropolitan Washington, D.C., for its annual fundraiser, I said, “Sign me up.” The greatest thrill of my life was visiting our troops in the hospitals in Walter Reed (Washington, D.C.) and Bethesda (Maryland). What these guys and gals have gone through, and still having their spirits so high, made meeting them an unbelievably uplifting experience. How can any of us ever complain about anything anymore after meeting these young men and women and learning what they have experienced and sacrificed for us?

After visiting these wounded troops, a few weeks later, I had the thrill of visiting Andrews Air Force Base with Mr. Kennedy as part of an Armed Forces Entertainment Appreciation Day for the troops. I’ve really had some fun working with the young up and coming Superstars for the WWE, like Mr. Kennedy, who reminds me of me. He talks as much as I do!

This trip to Kuwait started out a bit shaky. It started with our departure point, Washington, D.C., with the horrible weather. We all experienced difficulties getting in because of all the rain and flooding. Maria had to take two different flights after Monday Night RAW because of delays and cancellations. To top it off, she lost her luggage. But what a trooper. At 2 a.m. she went back to the airport to pick up her luggage, and had just enough time to get to the hotel before we met in the lobby to leave for our 5:45 a.m. pick up to get to our flight on British Airways. Ashley, fighting a temperature and a cold, drove in from Roanoke, Va., after SmackDown and got in the next morning just in time for us to leave. One thing about her, we weren’t about to lose her luggage. It was bright pink with white polka dots. As I helped carry her luggage through the airport, I felt like I was back in the day managing Adrian Adonis.

Ron Simmons will be the muscle of this trip. I told Ron that if any fighting breaks out, he’ll hold them off while I run to get help. As big as he is, we’re as safe as in the vault at Fort Knox. Big Frank from Mirabilis Ventures told me when I left Orlando if I have any problems, I can just call them, so if Ron fails me, I know I have back-up.

Henry Dirocco, our trusty photographer, is with us. (I hope he brings the camera this time.) We have strict rules on what we can photograph. No photos of mosques or women in burquas. Our guides from AFE, Ryan and Richard, are good guys. Rich is from the south and Ryan is from Arizona. He says even he had to adjust to the dry, hot conditions in Kuwait. We’re anticipating visiting places where the day time temperatures will reach 130 degrees Fahrenheit.

Kuwait is where our troops transition to and from Iraq. In the five days we are here, we expect to visit with thousands of troops at the different bases to help them celebrate around the Fourth of July holiday. We are up to the task.

You know I started today off right when I arrived at our hotel. Gary Davis checked the menu out. He said, “Jimmy you’ll be happy.” I said, “Why?” “They’ve got that Jimmy Hart Southern boy special for breakfast, your favorites—pork and beans and French fries.” Well he’s right. The most important meal of the day is breakfast, and boy, I’m in heaven.

We’ll give you an update when visit our first base. With the Divas, we are armed and dangerous, and anything can happen. Stay tuned for more episodes of the Legends & Divas Tour, coming to you from Kuwait!

Straight from the Hart II

Straight From the Hart II
By Jimmy Hart
June 30, 2006

Hey, WWE fans. I’m back again. Thursday night we decided to take in the sites of Kuwait City before starting our base tours. Ashley was still under the weather, so Maria, Ron Simmons, Gary Davis, Henry Dirocco and I, with Ryan and Richard as our tour guides, went to a part of the city that could easily pass for 54th Street in the Big Apple.

While Maria went one way, with Ryan, Gary and Henry, escorted by a Kuwaiti friend of Ryan’s, the old school team of Ron, Richard and myself took our own path. We found a store that sold DVD’s. As we were looking through the store catalogue, we ran across the brand new release of “See No Evil” starring Kane, which was kind of odd because the DVD has not yet been released officially. But for the asking price of $3.50, I thought I would buy it for Vince because he was an executive producer of the movie and it’s the first DVD from WWE Films. Ron purchased a DVD of the “Sopranos.”

About two-and-a-half hours later we all finally met up. Maria, as the only woman in Kuwait City wearing shorts (as you know, most Kuwaiti women are covered from head to toe in burquas), got plenty of attention from the Kuwaiti men and women on the street. All it took was following the buzz of the men in the crowd to find her. Ron also drew his fair share of attention as many of the shopkeepers recognized him as Faarooq and welcomed him warmly as one of their own.

We finally got back to the hotel to get to bed early for a 7:15 a.m. departure time on Friday to visit our first base. As you guessed it, I was the first one in the lobby at five minutes to 6, so I could start my day with the hotel’s Jimmy Hart Southern Breakfast Special. You guessed it, pork n beans and French fries. Ron joined me for breakfast and I asked him how he enjoyed his new DVD. He told me he got upstairs last night, took a shower, pulled the covers back on the bed, got two big, soft pillows to put behind his head, got the bowl of grapes, bananas and apples next to him, got a big bottle of water, and put his brand new DVD into his DVD player. And guest what came on the screen; it said, “This DVD will not work in this machine.” (Sucker!) That leaves me to believe Vince may have some trouble playing this DVD version of “See No Evil.” I told Gary that this was something he could give to Vince to get in good with the boss; no need to mention my name.

The first base was Navistar, home to the 2nd Battalion 123rd Field Artillery on the Iraqi border. These boys and girls, most of whom hail from Illinois and Wisconsin, provide support to supply convoys coming to and from Iraq. In addition to our U.S. forces, the camp hosts members of the Coalition Forces, most notably Britain, Italian and Danish troops. The camp rolled out the red carpet for the WWE. After a briefing from Camp Commander Lieutenant Colonel Craig Hess, we met with troops on base at several different locations, capped off by a major autograph and photo session with hundreds of troops in the camp’s Rec Hall that lasted more than three hours. Maria, Ashley and Ron were a big hit with the troops. You would not believe the WWE magazines that we all had to sign, and the special magazine pin-up posters of Ashley and Maria.

On the way to Navistar, driving along the major highway from Kuwait City, we saw several bombed out buildings, remnants from the first Gulf War and a measure of how close Saddam Hussein’s troops came to Kuwait City. Our trip to the next base, Camp Buehring, was even more adventurous. To get to Camp Buehring, which is about 10 miles form the Iraqi border, we took the old Iraqi tank trail from the first Gulf War. It was easier off the trail than on because of numerous potholes. By this time, the temperature had reached 130 degrees Fahrenheit. We finally lurched our way on to the base. Even thought Kuwait is peaceful, we had an armed security detail with us at all times while on base.

We were welcomed by Lieutenant Colonel Clinton Pendergast, Commander, Base Support Battalion-North, and his team, who provided us with a thorough history of the camp. They also presented us with some framed Certificates of Appreciation for WWE and each of us for visiting the camp. Indeed, Ron and Gary, in their first AFE visit to Kuwait in 2003, had visited this same camp when it was known as Camp New York, which at the time was essentially a tent camp. Things have changed markedly since then, and the camp now is much larger, has better facilities and boasts the largest gym in the Middle East. Good thing, as the camp is home to more than 30,000 of our troops from the Army, Navy and Marines.

Our major event was right in the camp’s gym—a tremendous, modern facility with all types of treadmills, weight machines and lifting stations. As I came through the door with the megaphone, introducing Ron, Maria and Ashley, we received a heart-warming reception. To talk to the kids who just came over here, the ones that are ready to serve in Iraq, and the ones getting ready to return home, the one thing that bound them together other than the war was their passion and knowledge of the past and present of the WWE. Ashley met one young man who said he voted for her more than 50,000 times during the Diva Search competition. Once I heard that, I yelled out, “Maybe we need a recount!” I noted that she gave him an extra special hug.

Maria was busy collecting patches. I think she got one from every serviceman in the building and proudly displayed them on her shirt. Ron’s main concern, other than greeting his many fans, was when we were going to get our next meal.

After another long autograph and photo session, we received a special invitation from Violet Kelly-Schmutz, known around these parts as “Big Mama,” to visit the camp Post Office, which she runs. I know why they call her Big Mama, because I bet when she got on the scales, they lit up and said, “One person at a time, please!” Big Mama and her postal team are a big part of morale on the base. They process more than three tons of mail each month for our troops. All of you in the U.S., keep up the good work and keep those cards and packages coming. You don’t realize how much our men and women in the military appreciate receiving a piece of home.

When the girls and Henry took a break, Ron, Gary, Ryan and myself went to the base Fire Hall, known here as the Udairi Fire Department (the base was also once known as Camp Udairi). We had a chance to ride in a pump truck that dispenses more than 3,000 gallons of water in a few minutes. These guys are ready to roll at a moment’s notice. They are private contractors like a lot of folks on the base, who LTC Pendergast said are crucial to maintaining smooth operations.

Gary noted that we needed to get on our way before sundown so we could negotiate the tank trails, which become even more treacherous to drive on in the dark. Though we faced no danger here, driving in twilight through the sand and tank trails gave us a taste of how difficult our troops must have it in Iraq as they drive, and try to identify and avoid IEDs along the roads. It’s serious business, and it made us realize once again how lucky we are to live in the good ole’ U.S.A.

I’ll have more from Kuwait on Monday. Enjoy the weekend, and remember, never trust a midget.

Straight from the Hart III

Straight From the Hart III
By Jimmy Hart
July 1, 2006


Hey, WWE fans. I know I said you wouldn’t hear from me until Monday, but I had to share what happened to us on Saturday with you right away. It was a great day. It started at 6:15 a.m. I’m the first one downstairs in the restaurant to order my Jimmy Hart Southern Boy Special, which you all know is pork n’beans and French fries. I’m used to eating this scrumptious meal on my own, but this morning, I’m with Henry, our photographer. Much to my surprise, Henry is here to try the Southern Boy Special for the first time. After a few bites, he declares it might be something he has to get used to. Twenty minutes later, we are joined by the one and only Ron Simmons, who also, for the first time, orders the Southern Boy Special. Ron has no trouble adjusting his palate to my dietary delight. Then Richard and Ryan show up promptly at 7 a.m. to pick up our crew. Having tried the special yesterday, and finding in the evening that they did not have the stomach for it, they declined my offer to try it again.

As we proceed to the lobby to meet Maria, Ashley and Gary, I am approached by a gentleman who asks if I would take a photo with a pretty young lady at the check-in desk. As I go over to take the picture, I find, much to my surprise, that the young woman is one of the American Idols from Season 4, Jessica Sierra. She tells me that her Dad and she are giant wrestling fans, and she grew up a big fan of Jimmy Hart and the Hart Foundation. Jessica is here to entertain the troops in Kuwait and Iraq, and is off to a base in Kuwait this morning with her local AFE escorts Contee and T-Mac.

Meeting Jessica reminds me of the time that Hulk and I met Simon Cowell in England when he was an A&R man for a major record label, and well before he was American Idol’s most reviled talent judge, an act I think we can agree is modeled after the Mouth of the South. Simon talked the Hulkster into recording a single, a remake of the song “Leader of the Gang” by Gary Glitter. It went three weeks in the Top 10 in Europe, peaking at No. 1. However, the Hulk’s greatest recorded accomplishments in music are his own recordings with the Wrestling Boot Band.

We get into our two-van “convoy” and begin our journey to Camp Arifjan, the heart of U.S. military operations in Kuwait. We spend some quality time with the camp commander, Colonel Brick Miller, and his Commanding Master Sergeant of the Army Ray Middleton. These guys are first class all the way. We receive a thorough briefing on activities in Kuwait, Iraq and Afghanistan. Camp Arifjan is the hub for troops and supplies going into and out of Iraq and Afghanistan, and can process more than 75,000 people a day at the camp. The camp is also the base of operations for special training for the troops to deal with evolving combat conditions in Iraq and Afghanistan.

The Colonel, like others to whom we speak, tells us of all the great civic accomplishments of our troops in Iraq, particularly in the northern and southern parts of the country, areas outside of the violence we hear so much about in the media. He relays stories of young Iraqi girls attending school for the first time, using books, pencils and paper secured by the troops with the support of their home towns. He speaks of accomplishments of restoring infrastructure and helping to put America in a better light through the actions of our troops in working with the local citizens. He sees the tide turning through a younger generation of Iraqis that will ultimately ensure Iraq maintains and builds upon its newfound freedoms despite the threat of terrorism. We all shake our heads as to why our news media keeps these success stories a secret from the American public.

When we get to the autograph signing at the base gym, it is jam packed, with a line out the door. It’s very well organized by the camp MWR’s “Little General.” Also on hand is Clayton Bovey, Entertainment Branch Manager for AFE in Kuwait. I do my usual thing, introducing Ashley, Maria, and last, but definitely not least, the three-time football All-American from Florida State, Ron Simmons. I couldn’t believe how many Florida State t-shirts and footballs the servicemen bring for Ron to sign. And, of course, like all the other bases we visit, the servicemen have magazine pin-ups and covers of Ashley and Maria to be signed. I am pleasantly surprised to see all the young soldiers who bring the new WWE DVD, “The World's Greatest Wrestling Managers,” for me to sign. I sign so many, I have to make sure more than once that they aren’t like the bootleg CD of “See No Evil” I gave to Gary to give to Vince.

After two-and-a-half hours of taking pictures and signing memorabilia, Maria, Ashley and Gary visit the Mess Hall while Ron and I, along with Richard and Henry, visit the Armed Forces Entertainment base office to thank the staff there – guys like Broadie, Mike and Eli -- for their help with the tour. Maria, Ashley and Gary were joined at lunch by Ryan and Chris Pace. Chris had just flown in from his base of operations in Baghdad, where he is in charge of securing programs and entertainment for the troops in Iraq. Our Divas report that Gary and they struck up a conversation with Vivian Ratliff, Kenneth Williams, Sean McDonald, Steven Valentin and Justin “Tiny” Brown from the 37th Transportation Group, who are some of the people that drive the truck convoys bringing supplies from Arifjan to the troops in Iraq. Tiny is particularly interested in a possible wrestling career if football doesn’t work out. He is currently playing defensive tackle for Morgan State, but his career is on hold while he serves in the military.

After a quick lunch, we have a 90-minute drive to our next destination, Camp Patriot at the Kuwait Naval Base. Yes, Kuwait has a Navy, which it uses to guard its coast on the Persian Gulf. The base also hosts the largest contingent of the Army’s troop carriers, making it the Army’s largest port. Marine and Navy personnel also use the base as a point of redeployment to varying assignments around the world. The Air Force runs the camp’s administration and we get a great tour of the facility by Chief Master Sergeant Wayne Barron from Memphis, Tenn.. It’s great to see an old home boy. He tells me more about my early career in Memphis than I can remember. He assures me it was legendary.

After the base tour, we do our next autograph signing and photo session with the troops on base. These men and women make us feel welcome and are very rambunctious. Two young men express their admiration for Maria and Ashley by writing their names in permanent ink on their chests. Ron and I are asked also to sign their chests, to which I reply, “Sorry, we just ran out of ink.” I think Ron was about to say something else until I remind him, “You are an All-American.”

After a presentation by Camp Commander Lieutenant Colonel Tim Henke, at which we receive some nifty Certificates of Appreciation and Operation Iraqi Freedom caps, our duty is done and it is time to head to our base of operations. Along the way, Ryan, with whom we were now driving, says we are low on gas. However, we can’t find an open gas station, as happens on some Saturdays -- which in Kuwait is the equivalent to a Monday in the U.S. Many times, Kuwaitis get the “Saturday” blues and decide to take the day off, an accepted practice here. Chris, who is riding with us, suggests we go to a nearby military refueling station, but by the time we arrive, the station is closed. I do get to sign a bunch of autographs for the MP’s on duty. Ryan eventually finds a gas station just before we hit the big E. By the way, gas is 35-cents a gallon over here.

We have a great dinner in Kuwait with Ryan and Chris inside an historic replica of a Kuwaiti sailing vessel. After dinner, we receive a commemorative iron spike. It looks nice, but what do you do with it. I give mine to Gary as another present for Vince, just in case the “See No Evil” DVD doesn’t work. I told Gary again, no need to mention my name; he can have all the credit.

Earlier in the day, I try to call the Hulkster on our satellite phone to see how a taping of a recent episode of “Hogan Knows Best” is going. I had been invited to be part of the episode that is also set to feature Brian Nobbs, Brutus Beefcake, Greg Valentine and Hacksaw Jim Duggan. However, my trip to visit the troops keeps me from participating. I wanted to tell Hulk that Hulkamania is still running wild in the Persian Gulf, as we have sighted several Hulkamnaia T-shirts as part of our autograph signings -- almost as many as the "The World's Greatest Wrestling Managers" DVD’s I’ve signed.

It’s another early morning assignment for the Legends and Divas team on Sunday as we get set to visit two more bases. Please don’t forget our troops in your prayers. It’s their heroic actions that enable all of us to sleep soundly in the good ole’ U.S.A. every single night. As for us, we’ll also sleep soundly knowing these brave men and women are defending our country. Each day, we become caught up in their energy and determination. Just remember, championship belts are won and lost, but legends last forever.

From WWE.com