JOHN CENA COMFORTS THE TROOPS

WWE champion John Cena was able to use his experiences visiting the troops in Afghanistan for his discharged Marine in The Marine.

John Cena making his starring debut as a discharged Marine from Iraq in The Marine had the opportunity to experience what these men and women go through to earn their colors by visiting Paris Island.

For the last three years John has traveled with the WWE courtesy of armed forces entertainment and the USO tours to visit the troops in Afghanistan. Forging through danger zones is worth it for the wrestling champion who says to see the joy the soldiers experience when they arrive on base is overwhelming to him.

“Believe it or not after we wrapped the shoot I got to do basic recruit training at Paris Island in South Carolina and I found out how tough it was and the process they go through to make them marines on Paris Island. They are ruthless. But when you graduate from that recruit training you have earned your right to wear those colors and you know exactly what’s to come and you’re pretty much ready for anything.”

John witnessed first-hand the elation of the troops coming home from Iraq and used that emotion for his character when he is sent home to his wife in The Marine.

“We are actually surrounded by the men and women that are keeping this country safe. They take care of us. They welcome us with open arms and we don’t just stay in the safe zones. We go to the forward operating bases on the front lines. It’s satisfying for me to go out there because no one goes out there to visit those troops. And it’s satisfying for them for the simple fact that no one goes out there to visit them. You should see their faces when we show up and we take military transport everywhere, helicopters, small planes. And when we land and get off the plane a lot of people say I heard you were coming but I didn’t think you’d be here because nobody ever comes out there. You don’t think about the danger. You’re just caught up in the moment. It’s so rewarding to be there.”

The Marine opens today.rn

“To see the faces of troops on their way home or passing them at the airport when they said they’ve just been deployed for a year they’re so happy to be home. My experience from that I just used what I’ve seen in the middle of a combat zone. They always seem to have that sense of accomplishment but it’s an unbelievably happy time for them. It’s always good to see our soldiers get home safe.”