Comedian Jon Stewart will continue his recent run of military-themed hosting duties as emcee of the opening ceremony at next month's Warrior Games.
The competition featuring about 250 wounded warriors from the U.S. and Great Britain will kick off June 15 at the U.S. Military Academy. Stewart will be joined during the ceremony by the Army's Golden Knights parachute demonstration team as well as the West Point Band.
"I am in awe of what wounded, ill and injured service members, veterans and families have overcome and continue to accomplish," Stewart said a Wednesday news release announcing his appearance, calling his participation in the event "an honor."
In April, Stewart emceed the USO of Metropolitan Washington-Baltimore's annual awards dinner, appearing alongside other well-known guests including Medal of Honor recipient Army Capt. Florent Groberg, WWE superstar John Cena and singer Tony Orlando.
On May 5, Stewart hosted a comedy show at Joint Base Andrews, Maryland, celebrating the USO's 75th anniversary and the fifth anniversary of the Joining Forces initiative, a program spearheaded by first lady Michelle Obama and Jill Biden, wife of Vice President Joe Biden, that supports troops, veterans and their families.
Warrior Games officials said prior to the announcement that multiple celebrity guests were likely to participate in the West Point event but did not provide names, citing final scheduling details and approvals. The games run June 15-21; the opening ceremony is free and open to the public.
Kevin Lilley is the features editor of Military Times.
