Photo By Sgt. Rodney Foliente | Spc. Marcelo Rodriguez, tank mechanic, along with other Soldiers from Company D, 2nd...... read more read more
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By Sgt. Rodney Foliente
2nd Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division
CAMP ECHO, Iraq – As days drag on through a long deployment, it is easy for Soldiers to get caught in the gray haze. They are bereft of the typical comforts and entertainments so easily taken for granted back home. Amidst a rough string of physically grueling patrols and details, a light moment of entertainment can easily brighten their days.
Such was the case when a comedy tour rolled through Combat Outpost 4 and the Joint Security Station 2 for Soldiers from 2nd Combined Arms Battalion, 8th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, in Diwaniya province, Jan. 6.
Comedians Joe Charles, John McDonnell and Scott Kennedy received streams of laughter from Soldiers at the small posts.
The comedians all expressed their gratitude to the Soldiers and said they were happy for the opportunity to perform for them.
"This was my first time out of the U.S. ... other than Tijuana [Mexico]," said Charles with a smile.
Charles served in the military for eight years, both in the Air Force and Marines. Though he never deployed while in either branch, he said he is glad to be able to contribute now.
"There are so many people who want to give more and show their support for the deployed [military members]. Soldiers need to know that. I've wanted to do this for a long time, so when I got an opportunity I came. It's the [most] that I can do to help," said Charles, who lives in San Diego.
"It's been awesome! Every show has been great," continued Charles. "I enjoy making people laugh and I think service members deserve to laugh more than anyone and they've been the best crowds I've ever had. I've never cared more to make people laugh than out here."
After each of the shows, the comedians visited the Soldiers unable to attend because of their duties. They also hung out and talked with the troops, leaving a trail of laughter following as they walked through the bases.
"This makes me happy because we know we're making a difference. You're being invited into a family, a brotherhood. When you leave, you are a part of that and I can't think of a greater honor," said McDonnell, who comes from Chicago.
Though he has never served in the Armed Forces, he said the military has always meant a great deal to him and his family. His great uncle served with the Army Air Corps in World War II and was a prisoner of war for 13 months in Europe. His father and older brother both served with the Navy Reserve in the Korean War.
He also has many friends who have served in WWII, the Vietnam Conflict and Operation Iraqi Freedom.
"All these people – family and friends – are my inspiration to do this. But my most immediate reason is the response I get from military members out here. There are no better crowds anywhere I've been doing comedy, and I've been doing this stuff for 20 years," said McDonnell. "I meet [service members] all over the world who I've performed for. Civilians may remember me, but Soldiers and Marines never forget. They can't be grateful enough. Once you know what it means to them, there's no way you can't do it! As long as they'll have me, I can't imagine a day where I won't do this, no matter what else is going on."
Kennedy said he felt the same way after his initial trips began in 2004. He said he felt so strongly about it that he put together Comics Ready to Entertain, which is devoted to making deployed service members laugh in Iraq, Afghanistan and Kuwait.
This trip marked his 25th tour to Iraq, spending approximately two weeks per month with deployed service members since he started the program, working with Morale, Welfare and Recreation.
"Once you do it, it's addictive and the guys out here are so appreciative. I couldn't get enough of the tours, so I started to come out here myself through the MWR," said Kennedy, a comedian for 20 years.
He had two nephews in the Marines who deployed for the initial push into Iraq in 2003. He also attended the New Mexico Military Institute for high school. Kennedy said these factors contributed to his appreciation for the deployed service members.
"From the bottom of my heart, thank you for serving. I don't know any better way to say thank you than to come out here before you," said Kennedy to assembled Soldiers. "As long as you are out here, I'll keep coming."
He emphasized his preference for touring the smaller bases and his belief that those Soldiers need it more, since they typically have less entertainment visiting them than the larger bases do.
"That's why we like to come to places like this," added Kennedy, who lives in Los Angeles. He said the Soldiers don't have much in the way of entertainment and normalcy, especially at the small posts. "We provide a break and a little bit of home for the Soldiers."
Although Soldiers do have means for entertainment during deployment, many complain that they still get bored with doing the same things day in day out. They can find ways to pass the time, but shows like this are a rare luxury.
"I loved the show! It was great because it kind of took us away from the environment for a second; kind of made us feel like things were normal. It was a chance for all of us to get together and get away from our jobs for a moment to just laugh and forget about missions and all the stuff we have to deal with out here," said Spc. Jay Rayburn, tank loader, 1st Platoon, Company D, 2-8 IN.
"It made me happy and it was great to laugh and hear everyone else laugh. We laughed a lot," he said, chuckling at a remembered joke. "That helps a lot with the morale of the Soldiers.
"I really appreciate that they took the time for us. They're out here volunteering when they could be back in the States making money. I'm honored that they came out here for us," said Rayburn, who comes from Clarksdale, Miss.
"It's nice to have something different from the monotony of everyday deployment life," agreed Spc. Corey Gilbert, tank loader, 1st Plt., Co. C, 2-8 IN. "I thought it was hilarious!" he exclaimed with a grin. Gilbert hails from Detroit.
"It's fun to hang out with the Soldiers. It's like a big sleepover ... but with getting shot at and mortared," quipped Kennedy.
| Date Taken: | 01.13.2009 |
| Date Posted: | 01.13.2009 08:53 |
| Story ID: | 28783 |
| Location: | DIWANIYAH, IQ |
| Web Views: | 353 |
| Downloads: | 236 |
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