Trio tickles funny bones of Forward Operating Base Prosperity service members

Photo By David Moore | James Gleason is part of a comedy trio that put on a show a Forward Operating Base Prosperity in Baghdad, Feb. 12. The event, which was sponsored by Lone Wolf Entertainment and Morale, Welfare and Recreation, was the first to be held on the FOB's new outdoor stage.  

BAGHDAD, IRAQ

03.20.2009

Story by Master Sgt. David Moore 

44th Infantry Brigade Combat Team Public Affairs

BAGHDAD, Iraq - A trio of comedians from Lone Wolf Entertainment and Morale, Welfare and Recreation came out swinging to become the first entertainers to break in a new stage at Forward Operating Base Prosperity that left hundreds laughing, Feb. 12.

The show got started when Olivia Allen-Arrington jokingly teased people walking by the stage to attend. As the bleachers filled and additional chairs were set up near the soccer field, some personnel were left standing to take in a show where humor poked fun at everything from hometown America to Middle East culture.

The Houston, Texas, native has travelled the globe since 1994 delivering her jokes to thousands of troops. For this show, she also served as the master of ceremonies for two other comedians, Mo Amer and the Cowboy Comedian.

After Arrington's introduction to the show, she moved into her portion of comedy, seamlessly spinning jokes about her flying to Kuwait, drugs in America, and the recession.

The next act was James Gleason, who goes by the handle of Cowboy Comedian. He is doing his second round of shows for troops in the Middle East. Despite suffering from hearing loss on his first tour from a mortar explosion, he displayed no fear galloping across the stage to share his humor on being single, living in a trailer park, as well as being married.

During his opening of the show, he thanked to troops for attending and their service to country. Immediately, he poked fun at the various military battle cries that are more audible sounds than words.

"If the Army has 'Hoaah!' and the Marines have 'Oorah!' then the Air Force must be 'Latte!'" the Florida resident and ranch worker said

Mohammed Amer, a Palestinian born in Kuwait who moved to the U.S. during the Persian Gulf War, wrapped up the show delivering wit about the clash between U.S. and Middle East cultures.

Also a Houston resident, Amer joked that names such as Mohammed and Obama alone have a tendency to draw a Texan's attention.

The show wrapped up on the new stage with a meet and greet between Soldiers and entertainers. Those coming to the stage found the entertainers still providing humor to the crowd. And with that, military personnel received autographed pictures with a message of love and "Thanks for all you do!"

• Date Taken: 03.20.2009
• Date Posted: 03.30.2009 07:52
• Story ID: 31771
• Location: BAGHDAD, IQ