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Reuters Chuck Norris the only WMD in Iraq, say US troops By Mohammed Abbas Mon Mar 10, 8:27 AM ET FALLUJA, Iraq (Reuters) - Hollywood action star Chuck Norris, known for his martial arts prowess and tough-guy image, has become a cult figure among the US military in Iraq and an unlikely hero for some in Iraq's security forces.
Click Here A small cardboard shrine is dedicated to Norris at a US military helicopter hub in Baghdad, and comments lauding the manliness and virility of the actor have been left on toilet walls across Iraq and even in neighboring Kuwait, soldiers say. "The fastest way to a man's heart is with Chuck Norris's fist," reads one message at the shrine, which consists of a signed photo of the actor surrounded by similar statements. "Chuck Norris puts the laughter in manslaughter," reads one and "Chuck Norris divides by zero," reads another.
com, including "Superman wears Chuck Norris pyjamas," and "There are no weapons of mass destruction in Iraq, Chuck Norris lives in Oklahoma." The actor has visited Iraq several times and was made an honorary Marine last year. Some 20 US military personnel and support staff spoken to by Reuters could recite at least one Norris "fact," despite many having not visited the Web site. US troops in Iraq say his support for them and Norris' invincible image has made him their idol and insist the exaggerated and satirical claims are not meant to mock him. He's an icon," said Sergeant Joe Lindsay at a base in Falluja in Iraq's Western Anbar province, which Norris has visited. AN IRAQI NORRIS Bearded and muscled, Norris shot to fame fighting kung fu legend Bruce Lee in the 1972 film The Way of the Dragon, and later films show him devastating groups of men with one kick. "Norris visited Iraq when violence was its worst and other celebrities were skittish. He's one of the guys," US military public affairs officer Specialist Mark Braden said in Baghdad. He's like a mythical legend," Staff Sergeant Amy Forsythe in Falluja said. Some appreciated his films and fighting ability -- Norris is a martial arts guru, and many of his films have military themes. Others said the masculine and plainly dressed actor was an antidote to the preening and moisturized metrosexual male. The actor recently endorsed Republican Party presidential hopeful Mike Huckabee, though in the spirit of the Norris "facts," Marines argued it was Huckabee who endorsed Norris. The appeal is also his martial arts, and sheer physical presence ... I don't think I go a day without hearing a Norris joke," said Corporal Ricardo Jones in Falluja. At an Iraqi police graduation ceremony in Falluja, graduates called out for their "Chuck Norris" to pose with them for photos. I asked the Americans, and they said he was a great fighter, and that's why they named me after him. They showed me a video, and it's true, he's a great fighter" said police trainer Mohammed Rasheed. With his handle-bar moustache, Rasheed has a vague resemblance to Norris. Another police trainer said Chuck Norris was a role model for the police in Falluja, which until 2007 was an al Qaeda stronghold and the scene of fierce battles with security forces. He saves the city, he protects women and children and he fights crime wherever it is. We should all be like Chuck Norris," Khaled Hussein said.
Hollywood action star Chuck Norris poses for a picture with Staff Sergeant Amy Forsythe during his visit to Camp Falluja, 50 km (30 miles) west of Baghdad in this November 2, 2006 file photo. Norris, known for his martial arts prowess and tough-guy image, has become a cult figure among the US military in Iraq and an unlikely hero for some in Iraq's security forces.
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