Friday, 18 January 2008

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Scarlett Johansson to visit troops in gulf

Actress to give soldiers morale boost

Woody Allen's muse is about to act like Woody Allen's mentor, Bob Hope – Scarlett Johansson is going to entertain the troops in the Persian Gulf, the USO has announced.

The Match Point actress and director-to-be, 23, plans to tour the region for five days as part of a USO/Army Morale Welfare Recreation entertainment tour, says the organization. While there, she will visit numerous military installations, greet fans, sign autographs and interact with members of the U.S. armed forces.

"This USO tour to the Gulf region truly means a lot. I've wanted to go over and visit for some time, and now my moment has arrived," says Johansson – who gets a large supply of fan letters from the military and wanted to do more than just answer them on paper.

"It's one thing to reply to a letter or extend your thanks to service members in a speech, but it's another thing to visit them and spend time with those that do so much for us back home," she adds in a statement released by the USO.

The USO, which began boosting U.S. troop morale during World War II, has, in 66 years, produced 58 tours and staged 328 special events for men and women in uniform, including performances, autograph sessions, hospital visits and movie screenings, the group says in a press release announcing Johansson's involvement.

By Stephen M. Silverman