Comedy Show Helps Save Soldiers Lives

Comedy Show Help Save Soldiers Lives

It has been said that, That laughter is the best medicine. It also turns out that comedy can be a preventative medicine as well. There is a huge increase in the number of suicides by soldiers and providing comedy shows for the troops is just one of the many ways the government is trying to deal with this tragic issue.

For years, comedians have been entertaining the troops. Bob Hope really started it and brought the importance of bringing a piece of home to the men and women serving in the military, says comedian Don Barnhart. Besides headlining at the top comedy clubs across the country Barnhart, an award-winning comedian with numerous television and film credits has been doing tours for Comics On Duty and USO since 1992. He added, We try and get out to where they need it the most by going to the forward bases where they really dont have any entertainment and the stress is at its highest. We go everywhere we can and might end up in a huge theatre or telling jokes in a hanger with helicopters taking off around us. War and combat is one of the most stressful things a soldier will face and although they train for it, its not always easy. Right now, we are seeing a huge increase in suicides for the soldiers and I believe that comedy can help to relieve some of the pressure and stress these soldiers are facing.

Bryan "Bear" Patridge LTC, MP Commander agrees to the importance of humor, When I was in Iraq on my third tour, we had the Comics on Duty come to our FOB (Forward Operating Base). It was that one show that everyone knew they could come to and let loose and they were going to be entertained. Humor is a stress reliever. Combat zone or not, life for Soldiers is just plain tough at times. When you can throw the proverbial turd in the punch bowl to lighten the already tense mood - things just seem to transform. We have to be able to add some levity and not take ourselves so seriously all the time. Humor is and can be a common bond between the everyday Soldier and his leaders - regardless of rank.

Statistics arent in but when soldiers create a human connection with others the probability of suicide lowers. Barnhart adds, After the shows, we get to spend time with the troops and just hang out and talk with them. Many of these soldiers are away from their families for the first time and are either headed to or already in a combat zone and it can seem unbearable at times. Its not like going away to college with frat parties and being able to go home and have your mom do your laundry on the weekends. These kids are at war and its really hard on them.

On one recent tour, Barnhart said, 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.



Barnhart and Comics On Duty just returned from entertaining at the training center at Ft. Leonard Wood, MO and has plans to do several more tours of Afghanistan and Iraq later this year. When asked why he did it, Barnhart replied, We have an obligation to support our troops in every way we know how. They are putting their lives on the line to support America, our freedoms and our way of life so its the least we can do. They gratitude we get from the troops is amazing and Im happy to be a part of the team.

Barnharts wife, Linda Vu will also go on the tour and host the show then do a meet and greet, autograph session afterwards. Vu recently starred in the independent thriller, China Dolls and has a new womens fitness book coming out called, Fit, Feminine and Fabulous. Im thrilled to be able to go over there and support the troops. My husband (Don) has been doing these tours for year and although its scary, I understand how important it is to him and the soldiers and I want to do my part, said Linda.

Don is currently working on a documentary on doing shows in a war zone and what it means to the troops and interviewed many of the soldiers after the show. Their response was outstanding and I really didnt understand how much the little things mean to a soldier in war. They are living in a war zone and dont get to see their families or even talk with them very much. Getting to laugh every once in awhile may be the difference in sticking it out or giving up and it might just help to get them through. We train our soldiers to be the toughest fighters in the world but we also need to keep their spirits up.

Comedy shows are the easiest to produce as they literally need little set up time and can get in and out of most situations traveling with little or no gear. There can be two to four comedians on a show and a microphone is a luxury. Barnhart has done shows in hangers, tents, in front of land mine fields, in mess tents and more. Even though we may only have one show scheduled for the day, we try and add shows wherever we can. Its not a vacation gig so we try and get out to the soldiers that need it the most. A band our production show might need sound and lighting gear and tons of support staff, transportation and more. It can be a real nightmare for just one show. When I went to Bosnia with the Gin Blossoms and 49 Cheerleaders, the other comic and I shuttle out to some smaller bases and did several shows while the band was still setting up.

If you would like more information on booking a comedy show, please feel free to contact Don directly at the information below:

Don Barnhart Entertainment
barnhartjr@embarqmail.com
www.donbarnhart.com