Comedian Don Barnhart Entertains The Troops To Help Fight The Increase In Suicides

Comedian Don Barnhart serves up the comedy to entertain the troops and help fight the increase in soldier suicides.

First and foremost, I consider it an honour and privilege to be asked to come over and entertain the troops. Im extremely fortunate to able to make a living doing what I love and I feel we all have an obligation as an American citizen to support our troops in the best way we know how even if you object to the war itself.

Performing for the troops is different than performing at a regular comedy club in the states and once youve done a few tours, you are bonded with the soldiers and there truly is certain sense of camaraderie and understanding.

The reason we come over is to entertain and show our support and to let them know how much we care about them and the job they are doinghow much we respect them and I think they have a certain respect for us coming over there. Were all in it together as we eat the same food and have to deal with the same amenities. If theres no hot water, then there is no hot water for everybody and sometimes its MREs (Meals Ready To Eat) for weeks at a time.

At first, I really didnt understand the direct and positive impact doing shows for the troops had on their morale. Its the greatest feeling after a show when everyone is coming up to thank us for entertaining them. We are there doing our shows to show our gratitude to them! At the end of one show, the colonel brought all the comics up on stage to present us with a certificate of appreciation and their coin and all the men and women stood up and saluted us in thanks. It literally brought all four comics to tears. We couldnt believe how grateful these young men and women were to us for coming over while we were there to show our thanks to them. Its why I keep doing these tours over and over again.

The comedy shows are something to talk about, it breaks up the routine and monotony and laughter truly is the best medicine. Remember, some of these men and women over here havent been home in a long time and were the closest things to being home as we do get to leave. I truly feel that these men and women are my family and my job is to make them laugh and forget their troubles, sorrows and hardships for a little while. Ive seen the toughest looking soldier laugh so hard he had tears rolling down his checks and after the show, everyone said that guy never even smiles. He came up after the show and gave me a bear hug that almost broke my rib cage but it was great to see him laughing.

Lets face it. Its not always easy being away from your family and friends in a war zone. We all know the dangers and possibilities. Its sort of an unspoken truth but it also creates and underlying tension and some people have a hard time dealing with it. On one recent tour, we had a chaplain travel with us and he sat in the front row every show. It was a bit unsettling at first but then he explained that if the soldiers could see him laughing at even some of the questionable material that maybe he was approachable to their needs and problems and that he was just a regular guy. It was great because we included him in the show and pointed him out, teased him a bit but letting everyone know him by face. Sure enough, several days after I got back I received a letter from him telling us what a difference it made and that it really opened up a dialogue of communication for him and some of the soldiers. Were all a part of the same team.

You might think its difficult to get laughter from soldiers that are face with war, destruction and horrific conditions but its not. As long as youre funny! Comedy has always been a pressure relief valve and it lets the tension out before you snap. The more uncomfortable the situation, the more tension there is and the more you need to release that tension before something breaks. Weve all been in those really high-pressure situations. Even as a child when your parents told you to go to bed and keep quite or youll be in trouble and then you cant contain your own laughter. Or on your wedding day when youre about to take your vows and then start crackin up. My wife and I both started giggling but that also brought us closer together. As for entertaining the troops, there is no room for mediocre comics at this point. It is a tense situation and Ive seen really bad comics loose the crowd. This is why you have to be so picky when putting a show together. Were grunting it out just like the troops so you cant have any prima-dona entertainers running around crying because they couldnt get their eight hours of sleep and mid-day brunch.


Don Barnhart Entertainment is providing comedy shows for the troops. Barnhart, an award winning comedian and host of The Freedom of Speech Comedy Series is one of the top comedians working today. He has been providing shows for the military since 1992 and is a Veteran performer for USO and Comics On Duty.

"War is stressful and right now, we are seeing a huge increase in suicides for the soldiers", said Barnhart. He added, "Comedy is the release valve to help lighten up all the stress and pressure these soldiers are facing".

"Comedy shows are the easiest to provide as we can do a huge concert or a small venue with a short set up time. We specialize in using the top headlining comedians for our shows unlike some of the other independent bookers that use amateurs and sell it as a professional show", said Barnhart.

Don added, Weve done shows on flatbeds, in tents, theatres, prisons, aircraft hangers, launch pads and more. The point is to get the best shows to the troops and bring a smile and laugh to their face and let them know how much we support them and sometimes, that's the difference...having hope and knowing that someone cares."

Barnhart is also an accomplished actor, writer and director with numerous television and film credits. He can be heard regularly on Bob and Tom, XM and Sirius Satellite Radio.

To inquire about booking a comedy show for your establishment, contact the email address below.

Don Barnhart Entertainment
www.donbarnhart.com