Gimlets take time for a laugh

Photo By Sgt. Dustin Weidman | Sgt. Christopher Bogan, native of Matoon, Ill., and gunner, Company B, 1st Battalion, 21st Infantry Regiment, "Gimlets," 2nd Stryker Brigade Combat Team, "Warrior," 25th Infantry Division, Multi-National Division – Baghdad, talks to comedian, Lee Marvin Adams, after the comedian's show at Combat Outpost Ibrahim Bin Ali, northwest of Baghdad, June 23.  

BAGHDAD, IRAQ

07.03.2008

Story by Cpl. Dustin Weidman 

2nd Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 25th Infantry Division

By Cpl. Dustin Weidman
2nd Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 25th Infantry Division

BAGHDAD – "Laughter is the best medicine," is one of the most famous phrases of the day, and can be found in magazines, books and cards.

The Soldiers of Company B and Company C, 1st Battalion, 21st Infantry Regiment, "Gimlets," 2nd Stryker Brigade Combat Team, "Warrior," 25th Infantry Division, Multi-National Division – Baghdad, found laughter in a war zone. Three comedians, Scott Kennedy, Patrick DeGuire and Lee Marvin Adams, visited Co. B at Combat Outpost Ibrahim Bin Ali and Company C at COP Aqur Quf, both northwest of Baghdad, June 23.

For one hour these Gimlets were able to forget the war and the danger they face daily and laugh at the three stand-up comedians.

"The show that Scott Kennedy, Lee Marvin Adams and Patrick DeGuire put on for us was exactly what we needed," said Capt. Jeffery Higgins, a native of Jacksonville, Fla., and company commander, Co. B, 1st Bn. 21st Inf. Regt. "Just about every Soldier in the company attended, and every single one of them were in a constant state of laughter throughout. It was a real change of pace and morale boost for the guys."

As the Soldiers listened to jokes about politics and family, their struggles were forgotten and for one hour, the men, who had forged a family through war, were able to laugh together as a family.

"I am overseas to Iraq and Afghanistan 12 days out of every month with two comedians," said Kennedy, "and you guys are my heroes."

Kennedy showed the Soldiers his arm where he had the seal of each branch of the military tattooed, "I think of you guys every day," he said.

Each show ended with all the Soldiers in high spirits and gratitude felt by all the comedians and the Soldiers.

• Date Taken: 07.03.2008
• Date Posted: 07.03.2008 11:48
• Story ID: 21149
• Location: BAGHDAD, IQ