Comics help Soldiers relieve stress in Iraq

Photo By Staff Sgt. Engels Tejeda | Sgt. 1st Class Ted Wooten (left), a military police with the 48th Infantry Brigade, and Sgt. 1st Class Stanley Walker, the assistant operations sergeant with the 40th Brigade Combat Team, enjoy a few minutes of laughter during the Comics on Duty World Tour stop at Camp Adder, Iraq, Nov. 3, 2005.  

11.18.2005

Courtesy Story

207th Public Affairs Detachment

Over 300 multi-national servicemembers at Tallil escaped the rigors of military life during a two-hour show at the Air Force Big Top that featured five "headliner" comedians.

From 8 p.m. to 10 p.m., comedians Jeff Capri, Tom Simmons, Keith Alberstadt, Matt Iseman, and David Mishevitz received riotous laughter from Air Force, Army, and British troops for jokes on such various topics as marriage, fantasy football, phone companies and, of course, military life. After the show, the performers took the time to shake hands, sign autographs and pose for pictures with troops.

"I didn't think they"d send me here for Comics on Duty," opined Simmons. "I just joined for the college money."

Simmons, the only family man of the group, joked, "People ask me "why ... are you going to Iraq when you have a 9-month-old child?" I say 'so I can finally get a good night's sleep!""

Before the show, troops were looking for an escape.

"I just want to forget where we are for a little bit," said Spc. John Brack, a medic of the 48th BCT, who attended the show.

By the end of the performance, servicemembers had found what they were looking for. Most took the opportunity to meet the entertainers.

"I loved it," said Spc. Tricia Frankewhich, an intelligence analyst for the Headquarters, Headquarters Co. of the 48th Brigade. "They were all hilarious. I"d definitely come see these guys again."

The entertainers were just as happy to meet the troops.

"I love making people laugh," said Capri, who has visited over a dozen countries as a performer for Comics on Duty. He added that servicemembers 'seem to be the most important ones to make laugh."

He also said, "The level of appreciation is higher [with the troops] than any other show. That's gratifying."

The Tallil performance was part of "Live in Kuwait and Iraq " supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom" which lasted from Oct. 31 to Nov. 7. During the tour, the comics also entertained British troops in Basrah proceeded north to Forward Operation Base Victory and surrounding FOBs.

"It's a blast," said Alberstadt about being a part of the tour. "It's a lot of travel, but it's worth every bit of it."

He added, "I feel great being over here, but I feel bad that I have to leave in a few days. I hope everybody stays safe and gets home."

• Date Taken: 11.18.2005
• Date Posted: 11.18.2005 13:02
• Story ID: 3783