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Actress Traylor Howard of “Monk’ fame blasted the entertainment community for not coming forward in greater support for the troops in Iraq.  

"I think it's such a shame Hollywood people won't go over there," says Howard, who traveled to , and in December with Al Franken and a USO troupe. "They're risking their lives, haven't seen their wives, husbands and families ... They need people to come, and they deserve that. I'm not brave, and I'm the most nonpolitical, nonwar person, but I felt there was no reason not to go. And it doesn't matter what your political viewpoints are - Al is very left - we're just supporting the soldiers."

She commented that the trip she took was “the most fulfilling thing I’ve ever done in my life. I was so impressed with those soldiers, and they were so appreciative.” 

Howard said that the whole trip "was surreal.” She revealed that they had stayed at Saddam Hussein’s palace, which was their base for three days.  

She also said that she would go back anytime, as their safety was a high priority to the soldiers. They wore helmets and bulletproof vests throughout the whole trip, while flying in helicopters with the doors open. 

The hardest thing for her was going to hospitals which she said would not normally be the thing she would do as she doesn’t usually have the stomach for it.

It was refreshing to hear a celebrity that, in spite of her comfort level, thought of someone besides herself in encouraging and letting the troops know that people back here care.