WWE's Tribute to the Troops tours of Iraq and Afghanistan has created many lasting memories and friendships between members of the U.S. military and WWE Superstars and personnel. Col. Ted Spain met John Laurinaitis, WWE's Senior Vice President, Talent Relations, on WWE's first Tribute to the Troops tour of Iraq in 2002. The colonel, now retired, recently sent this e-mail to John and provided us permission to share it:

Mr. Laurinaitis, it's been a long time since I've seen you, but I wanted you to know that I was recently contacted by an author about writing a book about my time in Iraq. I've talked to the author about many things, including the time spent with you and the wrestlers. You will never know what your visit did to the morale of my soldiers. As I talk to many of those that served with me in Iraq, we always talk about that day with the wrestlers under Saddam's arches. Thanks again for what you all do for the soldiers. I do a lot of public speaking and I always tell folks it is OK to hate war, but please don't hate the warriors. Thanks again for what you did for my warriors. Hooah!
 
-Ted