Comedy Shows May Help To Save Soldiers Lives By Lifting Morale

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 our 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 on a domestic tour or telling jokes in a hanger with helicopters taking off around us when were overseas. 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 are 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 people are at war and its really hard on them.

Brian S. Hornback, CMSgt, USAF added, I can echo some of those comments. I remember when Robin Williams came over in 2004, it was Christmas time and you can imagine the feelings being felt by my Airmen during that time. Williams stood for pictures for over 2 hours. Everyone's thoughts of home and what they were doing seemed ever the more important as someone took their holiday time to not only spend it with us but to bring some joy and laughter. Your simple act of gratitude, support and dedication to the men and women in the United States Military not only defines what makes our country so great but remind us of what we're fighting for. Simple acts go a long way in reminding everyone who wears a uniform of what's important. It is even clearer when celebrities take a moment to show their gratitude as you have so graciously done. Your contributions go a long way in showing us that you remember, as we do, that what we are fighting for is important. The value of your simple act cannot be overstated. The positive effects it brings on the men and women in United States Military are displayed daily by their continued commitment to serve even through trying times. The only thing we can do now is to ensure you that we will take care of this great nation and its people!

Fellow comedian Ron Morey added, Going over there is the opportunity for someone from home to personally thank our military and remind them that they have liberated millions of people. We did a show for some troops in the bombed-out Ba'ath Party house where Saddam once had his rape and torture rooms. I told these soldiers that it was because of them that laughter now existed where there was once only horrible debauchery. They appreciated that, because they certainly don't hear that sort of thing from the media back home.

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.

Former Airman Geno Michellini was the creator and host of the highly popular 5 OClock Funnies comedy show on radio station KLOS in Los Angeles. He says, The reason for the shows success was it was a daily therapy session. We're here to keep you from shooting that idiot in front of you on the 405 (freeway) or from slapping your kids and wife when you get home. And, it worked. The shows ratings doubled and it has been running continuously since 1985. To this day it was not only the highest rated feature in the stations history, but for a while, it was the highest rated afternoon feature in Southern California radio as people tuned in to get a comedy fix during their commute home. Michellini added, When I was in the Air Force stationed in the Far East 'any' reminder of my people and home were welcome and gave me a reason to do my job and get home safely.

Barnhart and The Comics On Duty Tour just returned from entertaining at the training center at Ft. Leonard Wood, MO and have 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. The gratitude we get from the troops is amazing and Im happy to be a part of the team.

Nicole Lee, spouse of an active duty member said, We have had comedians perform at the bases on Okinawa several times and it does boost morale . She added, Being deployed and stationed overseas is a very stressful ordeal and sometimes leaves you feeling really disconnected from the country and culture that you left behind. Having comedians perform brings a touch of home, something familiar. The laughter is absolutely therapeutic.

Barnharts wife, Linda Vu is planning on going on the tour to 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.

Comedy Consultant Gail Stocker added, Comedy is my favorite form of conflict resolution. Laughter allows us to both appreciate our differences and our universality. Laughter is a release of tension and when relaxed we are more open to options.

Dana Williams has family serving in Iraq and was recently diagnosed with leukemia. She said, Laughter can fix much more than most people think. I should know, the chemo may be fixing my lukemia, but laughter is fixing everything else. My odds of survival have gone from 15% to 65% since I saw you (Comedian Don Barnahrt) in December. Now the only thing I still worry about on
a regular basis is for my boys to make it home safe. It is nice to know that you do this just simply to help our service men and women. With any luck, any of my three nephews in Iraq will get to see you while you are there and get to smile for a little while.

Barnhart 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 and thats great when they are fighting but we also need to keep their spirits up during their down time.

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 or 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 shuttled 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