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From: Today's Local News Ann Abuan spotted GENE SIMMONS when she walked out of the movie theater at Camp Pendleton last week and did a double-take. Could it be the star of the KISS rock band, immortalized on a postage stamp and Visa card? It was. She went up to the man, half expecting to be brushed aside, but instead ended up getting a hug and a picture taken with her rock idol. Abuan only wished her husband could be there. "He was in the KISS Army — he's a hard-core fan," said Abuan, a second-generation KISS fan brought up on Simmons' music. She told Simmons she'd send the photo to her husband, who is fighting in Iraq. "He took off his sunglasses and took time to talk with me," Abuan said. "I couldn't believe it. He was the sweetest celebrity I've ever met." It was then she heard Simmons was at Camp Pendleton filming a tribute to the troops slated to air Memorial Day on his A&E cable network reality show, "GENE SIMMONS Family Jewels." Simmons brought TOMMY THAYER, KISS' lead guitarist, and a backing band to perform a song combining the anthems of the military branches. At the tribute, filmed Friday, several hundred Marines and sailors packed into the front section of the base theater. In the back, several Camp Pendleton families watched, including Abuan, her two sons and her sister. "Today is all about GENE SIMMONS giving back and honoring you," said Col. Robert Castellvi, commanding officer for headquarters battalion, 1st Marine Division at Camp Pendleton. The program began with Simmons leading the Pledge of Allegiance. He took off his sunglasses and told the troops why he was there. "I owe this country and the people who fight to defend it, everything I have," said Simmons, 57. "I'm here to recognize what you do." He talked about growing up in war-torn Israel and living with his mother in a 4-foot-by-4-foot room with a hole in the wall where a rocket had gone through. His mother had survived a German concentration camp, he said. "She was 14 years old when she saw her entire family wiped out," Simmons said. He recalled his mother saying, "Every day above ground is a good day. Anything else you have to complain about means nothing." Before starting his song honoring the military, Simmons stepped off the stage to shake Marines' hands. A few female service members got a hug and KISS. Simmons went up to one imposing Marine and said, "I wouldn't want to be on the other side." He made the rounds signing hats and saying, "Thank you, sir." If a Marine thanked him, he'd say, "No, I want to thank you." Thayer's father is a retired Army brigadier general. "I'm into what you guys are all about, and I appreciate it," Thayer said as he shook hands with Marines. Simmons told everyone they'd show what they meant, in song. The 1st Marine Division Band marched on stage and played the military songs along with "God Bless America." Simmons sang and Thayer played guitar. "You don't get to go up close like this at a concert," said Pfc. David James, a KISS fan. Lance Cpl. Craig Blankenship brought his wife and teenage children, who are KISS fans. "I'll think about the good things like this when I'm in Iraq," Blankenship said. His daughter asked Simmons to take a picture with her. She got a hug too. "I was ecstatic and shaking," said Tristan Blankenship, 15. "He's old, but he's still hot." Her 13-year-old brother, Gavin, said it was the best Friday he ever had. Some Marines felt Simmons should bring the pep rally to Iraq. "He should do it there," said Gunnery Sgt. Billy Mingo. "It's a morale booster and they need it more there." Abuan asked Simmons if he had a message for the troops in Iraq. Simmons told her, "Your husband has got the heart of a lion to go back three times." Throughout the two-hour program, Simmons put the spotlight on service members and called them living, breathing heroes. "It's great to be welcomed back with this and know we're appreciated," said Cpl. Joseph Digirolamo, who returned from Iraq in October. "This kind of support helps," said Melissa Trenum, a Navy corpsman, husband played the drums in the 1st Marine Division Band. "It's good to know that we don't go unnoticed." |
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