Fort Riley Soldiers, families and civilian volunteers rubbed elbows with two-time Emmy Award winner Eric Stonestreet Sept. 19 on post.
Known for playing the larger-than-life Cameron Tucker on ABC's "Modern Family," Stonestreet is a Kansas City, Kansas, native and graduate of Kansas State University. A vocal fan of the school's athletics programs, the actor can often be found in and around Manhattan, Kansas, on game days.
"It's hard to explain to people how great this area is," Stonestreet said during his tour of the post, which included an aerial tour of Fort Riley, stops at USO Fort Riley and the 1st Combat Aviation Brigade's helicopter simulators and lunch at the Demon's Diner dining facility. The actor, along with FOX Sports 1 anchor and reporter Julie Stewart-Binks, spoke with 1st CAB pilots and chefs and took photos with family members at the USO.
While he is in high demand on his return trips to the Sunflower State, Stonestreet said visiting post was a priority.
"I had a great time," Stonestreet said. "I'd always wanted to come and see the base.
"It was a real honor."
The visit was a way to highlight the unique partnership between the 1st Infantry Division and K-State.
"It's a good opportunity for people from different cultural backgrounds, different economic backgrounds, to work together," Stonestreet said. "One thing we have in common is this part of Kansas, and how special it is. I think when people come to Fort Riley and get stationed here, they fall in love with this area a little bit, and we all have that in common."
Stonestreet said meeting Soldiers was humbling and inspiring. Those he met on post were similarly impressed with the actor.
"It was amazing," said Pvt. Adam Smith, 526th Quartermaster Company, 541st Combat Sustainment Support Battalion, 1st Sustainment Brigade, 1st Inf. Div., after meeting Stonestreet at USO Fort Riley. "I never thought I'd get to meet him."
The Phoenix, Arizona, native said one of the last things he remembered doing before going to basic training was watching "Modern Family" with his father.
Isabella Armstrong, 11, said meeting the actor was "cool" and that she's a big fan of his show.
"It's one of my favorite shows," she said. "He's one of my favorite characters on it."
Armstrong's mother, Leigh, wife of Maj. Neil Armstrong, Division Headquarters and Headquarters Battalion, 1st Inf. Div., said her family regularly watches "Modern Family" at home. Leigh Armstrong said she appreciated Stonestreet stopping by to meet with Soldiers and family members.
"That was really nice of him," she said.
After his day on post, Stonestreet joined his "Modern Family" co-star Jesse Tyler Ferguson. They entertained fans at K-State's McCain Auditorium, sharing behind-the-scenes stories from the show and taking questions from the audience.
"I don't think I'm going to join the Army," Stonestreet said, "but I'd love to come back."
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