CAMP ATTERBURY JOINT MANEUVER TRAINING CENTER, Ind. — Operation Comedy made its military debut at Camp Atterbury Jan. 19 as five local comedians took to the stage to entertain America's homegrown heroes. Soldiers and Camp Atterbury staff were treated to hours of stand-up hilarity from Jon Stites, Todd Yohn, Jeff Oskay, Matt Holt and Blake Boatwright as the funny men told tales of prior military service, affinities for carnivals and the Taco Bell diet.
Comic Jon Stites, organizer of Operation Comedy, said the tour is all about supporting the troops.
"This is about bringing awareness to the Yellow Ribbon Reintegration Program," said Stites, referring to the Department of Defense initiative. "That's why our slogan is 'Reintegrate and Appreciate'."
The Yellow Ribbon program provides National Guard and Reserve members and their families with information, services, referral, and proactive outreach opportunities throughout a service member's deployment cycle.
Stites said over the span of their three-day stay he just hopes to see some smiles.
"This is a show for the troops," Stites said. "Whether you have stars or bars on your uniform, everyone's just equal and we're all just having a good time."
Capt. Matthew McGowen, officer-in-charge of Camp Atterbury's Morale, Welfare and Recreation office, said he thinks the first night was a success.
"I saw people laughing so hard they looked like they were crying almost," McGowen said. "Afterward I heard a lot of Soldiers saying they were going to tell other people."
Additionally the support from Miss Indiana Allison Biehle and USO volunteers, who in turn garnered support from Domino's and Texas Roadhouse, made the night more enjoyable.
McGowen said MWR events strive to provide ways for people to enjoy themselves, to socialize and get to know each other, and build unit cohesion so ultimately, supporting the activities is beneficial.
"The biggest thing is the troops are training long hours here. They have a very regimented schedule and there's not a of time for fun," he said. "It's a big stress reliever for Soldiers to go to any type of event, but especially the comedy, I think."
Stites, an Army veteran, said he and the comedy troupe are thankful to be able to show their support in this manner. Stites went on to say he simply respects what the Soldiers stand for.
"Indiana is the 14th largest state. yet we have the fourth largest National Guard force in the country, so that says something about the patriotism of our young men and women in the Hoosier state," he said.
"These young men and women have written a blank check to the United States for an amount of 'up to and including my life,' and we need understand that, respect it and give these young men and women everything we can."