the wwe tribute to the troops is a televised event held every year since 2005 by world wrestling entertainment (wwe) in december around christmas and hanukkah. the wrestlers and employees of the wwe travel to iraq and afghanistan to honor the united states military. the event features wrestlers from "raw", "smackdown", and "extreme championship wrestling" (ecw) brands competing in matches against each other. they hold a televised episode of "raw" on an open field for any troop member to attend for free. along the travel, wrestlers and employees stop at autograph sessions and local hospitals to visit those who fight and may have been injured in war. walter reed army medical center and bethesda naval hospital are among the hospitals visited by the wwe employees. the wwe most recently held its fifth annual event, and has their next visit planned for december 2008.