In collaboration with the Commander, Navy Installations Command (CNIC), The Walt Disney Company surprised thousands of sailors, as well as other military service members, with special advance screenings of Marvel Studios’ Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 last week. These screenings are a part of the Navy’s Morale, Welfare and Recreation (MWR) entertainment program, which brings entertainment to soldiers and their families at home and abroad.
Navy sailors and military service members stationed at Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti, watched the galaxy’s favorite Guardians take one last ride with showings on Wednesday, May 3, and Thursday, May 4, which included special recorded greetings from Robert A. Iger, Chief Executive Officer, The Walt Disney Company, and Chris Pratt, who stars as Peter Quill/Star-Lord.
“Given the role our Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen, and Marines have played in enabling the U.S. operation to safely evacuate U.S. embassy staff from Sudan, less than two weeks ago, the timing of this early release here at Camp Lemonnier is appreciated by many,” says Command Master Chief Lindsey Carroll, CLDJ Command Senior Enlisted Leader. “As the only enduring military installation on the continent of Africa, our service members provide overwhelming strategic value to the United States and our foreign partners. The opportunity to receive the first public showing of this film illustrates a commitment to honor the day-to-day sacrifices and quality of work of over 5,000 joint service personal and civilians on Camp Lemonnier, while providing a well-earned, unique morale opportunity.”
Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 traveled to Djibouti under the highest security. The disk that contained the film could only be unlocked with a special pin and was delivered by Disney’s executive vice president of North American theatrical distribution, Ken Caldwell.
“We were honored to offer these special screenings of Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 for sailors and other servicemembers stationed at Camp Lemonnier,” Iger says. “These brave forces deserve our sincere gratitude for their service to our nation. Disney has a long history of respect and support for the U.S. Armed Services, and we were proud to give this group of true guardians early access to our terrific new film as a small token of our sincere appreciation.”
Service members on the USS Gerald R. Ford, the Navy’s newest and most advanced aircraft carrier, were also treated to a day of screenings. Capt. Rick Burgess, Gerald R. Ford’s commanding officer, says, “We are incredibly grateful for the continued support while USS Gerald R. Ford is deployed to the Atlantic Ocean. We appreciate the opportunity to screen Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 for the awesome, hard-working Sailors on our ship. Our crew is outstanding, working day and night to serve our country in support of emerging missions, deterrence, maritime security, and the free flow of global commerce.”