KANDAHAR AIRFIELD, Afghanistan – Hundreds of International Security Assistance Force service members and civilians celebrated the start of 2014 by attending a comedy event featuring Tommy Davidson and Rob Maher at Kandahar Airfield, Afghanistan, on Jan. 1, 2014.
Rob Maher kicked off the event with a stand-up routine and expressed his personal appreciation to the soldiers at the end of his routine.
“It’s really an honor to be here with you guys,” he said. “I know the hardest times… are the holidays. I appreciate the sacrifices you make and the sacrifices your families make. God bless you all.”
Davidson, who in addition to being a stand-up comedian has also appeared in movies and television shows, followed Maher with his own stand-up routine and had service members and civilians alike laughing throughout.
At the close of his routine, Davidson called Sgt. Natashia Hunter, a paralegal specialist with Headquarters and Headquarters Battalion, 4th Infantry Division, to the stage for a special recognition for being promoted from corporal to sergeant earlier in the day.
“It means a lot when you have a celebrity take time out of their schedule to come here,” Hunter said.
U.S. Navy Chief Joseph Rice, an admin chief for Naval Central Command Forward Headquarters – Afghanistan, said the event was good and that he enjoyed himself.
“It’s good to have comedians out here to get the troops laughing,” he said. “I don’t think we have enough laughter out here considering the environment, so it’s good that they get them out here and I hope they continue to bring comedians. It’s good for morale and for people relaxing, laughing and coming out of their comfort zone.”
Davidson and Maher signed autographs for service members and civilians after the show.