WWE began Tribute to the Troops in 2003 as a way to honor our servicemen and women and their families. This year, in coordination with the USO, the company sent its stars to visit with each branch of the military, before performing for their annual show at the Verizon Center.
One of the highlights of the afternoon was the helicopter tour on UH-1N Hueys. Before boarding were all handed ear plugs, an airsickness bag and a custom token from the pilot organizing the tour. We were divided into groups and put on three helicopters and the WWE superstars joked about who might be the first person to have to use their air sickness bag. Dean Ambrose and Renee Young were on my chopper, which was manned by the 1st Helicopter Squadron crew (Aircraft Commander Captain Chris Mitchell, Co-Pilot Captain Vann Neal, Flight Engineer Technical Sergeant Craig Neeley).
WWE Superstars take a helicopter tour over Washington, D.C. through some of the most restricted airspace in the world.
Greg Kahn for ESPN
The helicopters took off quickly and zipped around Washington, D.C. only a few hundred feet off the ground. Our Air Force guides pointed out all the national monuments, White House, U.S. Capitol and other points of interest.
"For me being able to spend the day with our troops just reminded me of how lucky I am," Young said. "It was such an amazing experience with the most amazing humans. We got to have so many unique experiences -- like seeing the White House for the first time in a helicopter flying over the most restricted airspace in the world. I'm so thankful for the troops and everything they do for us!"
The WWE Superstars sat quietly throughout the duration of the trip, completely engaged in the once in a lifetime tour. After we landed, the wrestlers gathered again on the tarmac and reflected on the experience. After the helicopter ride, the superstars went to a meet and greet filled with military members and their families.
WWE on-air personality Renee Young shows her excitement after a helicopter tour.
Greg Kahn for ESPN
"Our meet and greet was awesome because we got to meet the servicemen and women and some of their families," Young said. "To be able to see them, and be welcomed onto their base with such open arms made the experience really amazing. It's one thing to get to see shooting simulators, and attack dogs and helicopter rides, but none of that would be possible without these people that have dedicated their lives for us. It was my first time getting to be on the base for Tribute to the Troops and now I totally understand why so many of the superstars say it's one of the best experiences of our jobs."
Here are some of the highlights from the day, which included time spent at NSA Bethesda, in the helicopter and at the WWE Tribute to the Troops show on Tuesday:
During the helicopter ride, WWE superstars mostly stayed silent as they observed some of the country's greatest landmarks from a truly unique view.
Greg Kahn for ESPNWWE Superstars Chad Gable, left, Becky Lynch, center, and Dolph Ziggler, right, check out the inside of a UH-1N Huey helicopter before taking a tour of the restricted air space in Washington D.C.
Greg Kahn for ESPNCpt. Jenny Stewart gets a photo with WWE Superstar Dolph Ziggler as the wrestlers sign autographs for troops and their families.
Greg Kahn for ESPNWWE wrestler Mark Henry, center, leads his team, Army Sgt. 1st Class Darryl Jackson, 46, right, Sgt. 1st Class David Baker, 34, second from right, WWE's Dana Brooke, left, and others in a team cheer after a wheelchair basketball game at NSA Bethesda.
Lexey Swall for ESPNArmy Spc. Stephanie Morris, 27, who was injured in 2013 by an RPG in Afghanistan, tries to distract WWE wrestler Kofi Kingston, during a wheelchair basketball game.
Lexey Swall for ESPNWWE star Becky Lynch holds an automatic weapon during Tribute to the Troops Day at the Joint Base Andrews in Prince George's County, Maryland.
Greg Kahn for ESPNWWE star Jason Jordan cringes as he is tased in a demonstration.
Greg Kahn for ESPNWWE Superstars Chad Gable, left, and Jason Jordan, right, of the tag team American Alpha, use weapons fitted with lasers to compete in a hostage simulation video.
Greg Kahn for ESPNWWE Superstars Becky Lynch and Jason Jordan pose with Kennedy Harding, 1, during Tribute to the Troops Day at the Joint Base Andrews. WWE Superstars spent time with members of all five branches of the military.
Greg Kahn for ESPNA group of Marines stands for the National Anthem during Tribute to the Troops show at the Verizon Center.
Lexey Swall for ESPNArmy Spc. Jeff Griffin, center, holds a sign asking WWE Wrestler Becky Lynch to marry him.
Lexey Swall for ESPNWWE wrestler Cesaro stands on the announcers' table after hitting one of his signature moves.
Lexey Swall for ESPNA group of Marines cheer as they watch a WWE match.
Lexey Swall for ESPNFormer Army Staff Sgt. Kevin Daniels, 32, of Richmond, Virginia, holds up WWE belts and cheers as his branch of the military is called during Tribute to the Troops Day at the Verizon Center.
Lexey Swall for ESPNA group of Army servicemen and servicewomen scream as their branch of the military is announced throughout the arena.
Lexey Swall for ESPNCesaro jumps from the top turnbuckle onto his opponent as tag team partner Sheamus watches from outside the ring.
Lexey Swall for ESPNArmy Pfc. Sean Price, 19, of North Carolina, reacts to WWE wrestlers.
Lexey Swall for ESPNAir Force Staff Sgt. Whitney Sargent, 26, and his son Rayden, 5, watch a WWE match from the front row.
Lexey Swall for ESPN
