Most men only dream about visiting the mythical Playboy Mansion, but last night I got to live that dream. The Playboy Mansion hosted a benefit for Heroes Night Out, an organization that assists wounded U.S. military veterans with their medical needs. With the help of Motorcycle Charity Associates, Heroes Night Out was able to fly a group of vets to Los Angeles where they got to take part in the Playboy Mansion festivities.

Of course, I couldn’t pass up an opportunity to go as well. After all it is the Playboy Mansion we’re talking about. So what happened?

I was given directions to a parking garage near Avenue of the Stars on Santa Monica Blvd. I drove to the lower-level of the garage where I saw a large mass of people swarming around tables and a tent (yes, a tent inside the lower-level of a parking garage). After I parked, I headed over to the tables and stood in line. And then another line. And then another line. Mind you I hadn’t done anything but move line locations; no one knew really what to do with us media folks.

After signing a waiver I didn’t need and being shuffled with other media members from table to table, my name was checked off a list and I was sent up to the bus area. I waited in line with other media people once more, but this time got to see many, many sexy women wearing next to nothing standing in other lines around me. They, of course, got to board the first bus and were whisked away to the Mansion.

Then the media folks were ordered to go back downstairs to get wristbands. We went back downstairs and were told there to go back upstairs; we didn’t need wristbands. It was getting a little ridiculous. Finally, someone straightened things out, another list was produced, press credentials were handed out, and I got onto a bus headed to the Playboy Mansion!

I knew I was there to cover the red carpet, but wasn’t sure exactly where that meant I would be. Would the media be at the end of the driveway? Out in the street? Oh, no. We were on the mansion grounds in the area of the mansion shown on the photo below (not taken by me). You’ve seen this area if you either have been there, seen The Girls Next Door, or any other publicity pics of the Mansion.

We were herded into the “media barracks,” an area surrounded by a metal fence near the red carpet and the white backdrop. It was an awe-inspiring moment to realize that I was actually AT the Playboy Mansion. Many have dreamed about it, but few have lived it.

After a brief intro by the woman who organized the press for the event, a group of veterans crossed the red carpet. Then the founders of Heroes Night Out, Wes and Judy Pierce were kind enough to give me an interview. It was clear that everyone was overwhelmed by the fact that they were on the grounds of the Playboy Mansion.

And then the ladies started to come, and come, and come, and come. I must have seen a couple hundred stunningly beautiful and sexy women over the course of the evening. The theme of the event was 50s Pin-up Girls (see sample below), so many of the women were dressed accordingly. Others were topless, and others were covered in body paint.

Twenty-four of the hottest women I have ever seen in person had their bodies painted as if they were in military uniforms. All branches of the service were represented, as well as a few patriotic red, white, and blue, designs. It was quite a sight, and they all walked past me on the red carpet (a video of this is coming soon, trust me!).

Then another group of sexily-clad women walked the red carpet, followed by former Playmates. I also got to meet and interview “Miss Armed Forces” aka Shelley Michelle, a body double and actress.

Here’s where things got interesting. Two celebrities I never would have expected to see appeared on the red carpet: Tara Reid (photos only, no video) from American Pie, and former baseball player turned MMA fighter Jose Canseco. It was definitely a trip.

Another guy I didn’t expect to see was Dennis Hof, owner of the Moonlite Bunny Ranch in Nevada. He was there with four of the girls who will appear in the ninth season of the HBO series, Cat House, which explores the inside world of the Nevada-based brothel.

Then, I heard my name being called. I looked around, a bit worried. Had I stared too long? Was I drooling again? I walked over to the man who was calling for me. He told me I would have five minutes to check out the party going on inside. I could take video, but no interviews. After I regained consciousness, we entered the inner-sanctum.

I arrived inside the party where a sea of people were dancing and having an awesome time. I wished I had more than five minutes. I got to see the grotto, the dozens of silent auction items up for bid, the tables and tables of amazing food, and the tent where soldiers, sexy ladies, and others were dancing, eating, and having fun. Five minutes goes fast when you’re trying to film and figure out a way to stay inside a party you’re not invited to, but soon the time came to an end.

I returned to the “media barracks” where I came across two of the women who painted the uniforms on the hot ladies from earlier. I interviewed Suzanne who had on a snazzy balloon hat. She told me that the whole process of painting the women took an army of people eight hours to complete. I was quite pleased with their handiwork. I wish I had been there to paint the ladies as well.

Women, women, everywhere. As much as I wanted to be inside, the majority of the sexy, topless, and scantily-clad women were outside with us. So I had no problem being out where I was. I took lots of photos for people, and exchanged cards with many of my fellow media folks. Alas, it was soon time to leave, and we were taken back to the parking garage once more.

It was an experience I will not soon forget, and I’m sure the military vets who were in attendance won’t soon forget the night either. Hugh Hefner wasn’t present at the event; he was in Las Vegas hosting the Playmate of the Year party at the Palms Hotel. Hope Dworaczyk has been given the title for 2010 (she’s the tall girl with the brown hair).

As mentioned at the top of the article, the purpose of the benefit was to help wounded veteran receive the medical care and assistance they need. Heroes Night Out, Motorcycle Charity Associates, and others helped to make this is special evening for several of our servicemen and women who have bravely and proudly served out country.

If you would like to find out more about these charities, or would like to make a donation, please click on their names below to go to their respective websites.

Heroes Night Out

Motorcycle Charity Associates

Oh, and if I ever get to return to the Playboy Mansion, I’ll be sure to let you know! Check back soon for video from the event!!

For event photos, check out part two!

For videos, check out part three!