Posted on 08/19/2005 5:05:04 PM PDT by SandRat
BAGHDAD, Iraq (Army News Service, Aug. 19, 2005) — For a couple of hours, laughter rang out in the midst of the combat zone in Baghdad.
The “Comics on Duty World Tour” brought four comedians to the dining facility at Camp Tigerland Aug. 12. Dave Mishevitz, Sarah Tiana, John Bizarre, and Danny Bevins formed the side-splitting team who kept the 256th Brigade Combat Team and other Task Force Baghdad Soldiers rolling with laughter.
In the nine days the comics were in the area, they performed 17 shows. They touched on the funnier side of military life in a combat zone, politics, relationships, and random acts of everyday life.
Other comics also headed to Iraq this week as part of the USO “Chairman’s Troop Visit” tour. Comedians Colin Quinn and Jeffrey Ross, NFL Hall of Fame running back Gale Sayers, and model/actress LeeAnn Tweeden stopped in Kuwait Aug. 16 before heading to Iraq.
Gen. Richard Myers, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, joined the entourage on stage at Ali Al Salem Air Base and then Camp Arifjan, Kuwait.
“One thing they have in common is that they appreciate what you do,” Myers told the troops about the comics, adding, “All of America cares what you do.”
Mary Jo Myers, his wife, walked around and talked to troops about their personal lives back home while they waited in line to meet the celebrities.
“I agree with my husband that the best part about his job is to come and visit troops and see the people who are making such sacrifices and be inspired by their incredible attitudes and their dedication,” Myers said. “And to see their spirits … I am happy to see the strength that they have.”
The USO troupe made two previous stops in Germany and Kosovo. After Iraq, the group will visit Afghanistan, Korea and Japan before returning to the United States.
The other traveling show, Comics on Duty World Tour, was produced by Richard J. Davis, of Davis Entertainment Group.
“As far as money, we do this for next to nothing,” Davis said, “and we try to get to as many bases as possible. It’s about reaching as many troops as we can in the time that we’re here.”
“I look for comics who will provide a lot of interaction with the Soldiers, which is as beneficial as the laughter,” Davis said.
Pfc. Justin Morrison from 3/156th Infantry, 256th BCT, was serenaded by comedian John Bizarre for his 18th birthday.
Bizarre cupped his hands, and after a little “tuning,” proceeded to transform his hands into a musical instrument of flatulence, as he squeezed out the tune, “Happy Birthday to You.” He even managed to hit all of the high notes.
“These guys were hilarious,” Morrison said. “I was surprised at how much they really knew about our lives out here.”
(Editor's note: Spc. Erin Robicheaux writes for the 256th Brigade Combat Team in Iraq and Spc. Robert Adams serves at Camp Arifjan, Kuwait. Their articles were combined for this report.)
A chance to YUK-YUK, GEFAW, LAUGH it up, in Iraq
I really enjoy Colin Quinn's deadpan humor. Jeffrey Ross can be extremely dirty, and extremely funny. May God bless them both for their support of our great troops!
As long as our troops laughed at their jokes, I support their trip to Iraq. That pretty much goes for anyone, regardless of their political leanings (Al Franken's trip comes to mind; hate the man's politics, but admire the trip to Iraq).
thanks for the warning!
He's gay. </sour grapes>
you have to follow it up with a studmuffin pic.
Just make sure they are really manly men. No poofdas!
I'm glad they got to laugh and forget their worries for a while.
Hubba Hubba...
Yeah, well... Do you know how many photos I had to wade through to find a male who had clothes on? I found plenty of men but 99.9% of them were unsuitable. Go see for yourself. Go type in the word "studmuffin" in any search engine. lol! (Never again!)
oops. i meant to include you in my last reply!
well that's your problem... studmuffin is a code word for gay. what other search terms could you use?
Fair is fair, but he is malnourished.
LOL! No wonder.
I have a few more possible keywords but I WON'T be trying that again. This is a family computer!
"So a terrorist walks into a bar, and asks for a fuzzy navel."
"The bartender replies, 'How 'bout a B-52."
"A 'B-52?' the terrorist says, shaking his head, what's that?
"Look above you! The bartender replies."
I'm always terrified I'll stumble across something I shouldn't have. A word of warning...never ever search for a site about slavery without haveing the correct address.
Apparently my idea of slavery isn't the same as others. My search was about slavery. The other was about S&M...very different type of slavery. (i'm blushing) :-)
Hubbys close by. I'll respond later. :-)
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