When Americans mail holiday greetings this month, Ed Asner hopes they’ll remember U.S. soldiers serving overseas, especially in Iraq and Afghanistan.
The 77-year-old Emmy-winning actor visited two military hospitals in the Washington area this week as part of the kickoff for a national “Cards for Troops” campaign.
“The unwavering dedication these men and women show for their cause — and each other — is remarkable beyond words,” he said. “Their thoughts are never for themselves, but only for those comrades that are still in harm’s way.”
Asner, who unveiled a holiday card as part of the campaign, co-stars in “The Christmas Card,” set to air Saturday (9 p.m. EST) on the Hallmark Channel.
“The Christmas Card” is about a career soldier based in Afghanistan who receives an anonymous holiday card and is so touched by the encouraging words that he travels to meet the sender and ultimately falls in love with her.
“During the holiday season there’s no better way to lift the troops’ spirits than to send them cards and letters carrying warm wishes from home,” said Asner, who appears on NBC’s “Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip.”
He and the movie’s cast helped in the packaging of more than 17,000 care boxes to be sent to U.S. troops overseas.
Asner’s TV credits also include “Mary Tyler Moore” and “Lou Grant.”