EDWARDS AFB – Actor Vince Vaughn made a special USO visit Feb. 28 to Edwards Air Force Base, where he met with base leadership, visited with Airmen and their families and debuted the 20th Century Fox film “Unfinished Business” before it hits theaters nationwide on March 6.
The event marked Vaughn’s third USO tour and the third time advance screening a movie just for troops.
“It’s nice to get a chance to come show military members some films, especially when I have a comedy or a funny movie coming out,” Vaughn said. “When I went over to Iraq and Afghanistan was right when ‘Dodgeball’ was coming out and when ‘Wedding Crashers’ was coming out. They were just being just released in America and it was nice to have them be a part of that and bring the movies out to them at the same time.”
Vaughn flew directly into the base Saturday afternoon. Upon the star’s arrival, he was welcomed by Col. Eric Leshinsky, 412th Mission Support Group commander and Col. David Radomski, 412th Test Wing vice commander. Also greeting Vaughn was Charles Eaves, Edwards Exchange general manager, who oversaw the AAFES support of the event in cooperation with the USO.
Vaughn conducted some media interviews and then participated in an intimate USO meet and greet at the base library comprised of troops who recently returned from deployments and Airmen who were newly recognized for excellence in military service. As part of the USO meet and greet, Vaughn posed for photos and passed out signed movie posters as a token of his thanks.
“Thanks for your service everybody and we appreciate you,” he said.
Vaughn then made his way over to the base theater where Leshinsky introduced him to those in attendance and presented him with welcome gifts. Vaughn extended his gratitude, gave a brief introduction of “Unfinished Business” and premiered the film exclusively for troops, workers and families in attendance.
“I think it’s wonderful. I think it’s awesome that they provide this on base. It gives families a chance to get together and for couples to have a date night,” said Capt. Laura Pfledderer, Edwards Family Advocacy officer. “I think it’s great that [Vaughn] actually came out. You saw the scene in the movie where he gave up his seat for a military member and also the navy sailors, so he involved the military members in the movie. He went above and beyond showing support to the military…I felt honored and very special that Edwards was one of his visits.”
“The USO is everywhere and hopefully they do more things here,” said husband Kent Pfledderer. “At our last base we had Sesame Street come out so that was great for the kids. This event was more adult-oriented so it’s good to get that kind of mix in.”
A state-of-the-art projector was brought in to premier the movie.
Centered around a hard-working small-business owner (played by Vaughn) and his two associates portrayed by Tom Wilkinson and Dave Franco, “Unfinished Business” follows the group as they travel to Europe to close the most important deal of their lives. But what began as a routine business trip quickly goes awry and off the rails in every imaginable – and unimaginable – way, including an unplanned stop at a global economic summit, among other unplanned locations. “Unfinished Business” opens in theaters nationwide March 6. The movie is rated R.
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gina says
Way to go Vince!