Military humor provides some relief
EDITOR’S NOTE: Columnist John Ostwald will submit daily columns for the two weeks prior to Veterans Day. The columns cover a variety of armed forces issues. The information in the columns comes from interviews with veterans and family members, research and John’s perspective as an educator and veteran.
Humor comes in various forms in themilitary. It seems to arise naturally fromthe unusual circumstances that people, from all over the country, are involved in. Some of it is dark; offensive, harsh or graphic. Some in completely politically incorrect and so gross that I can’t write about it yet it may be funny.
As you know, humor can be therapeutic. In the award winning documentary, Comedy Warriors: Healing Through Humor (http:// www.comedywarriors.com/#!/warriors), five severely wounded Iraq/Afghanistan veterans were given the opportunity to explore their experiences through the healing power of humor. This exciting venture gives them new comedic perspectives fromwhich to view their injuries and their lives, and culminates in one big night performing at LA’s top comedy clubs.
John Wager, Director/Co-Producer and Ray Reo Co-Producer created the project. Ray said, “We came together serendipitously and it became a passion project for both of us. It was a way to give back to our military family and to promote healing and help with the transition home.”
Here are some comments from the audience. “It was really cool watching them improve their material and how at ease they were on stage, but the best part was watching how they are using comedy to overcome their traumatic injuries.” “I left the film feeling good and inspired. A must for all fans of uplifting documentaries!” “Many candid moments between professional comics and these war veterans really make the film authentic. You can tell that these men need a form of therapy and the comedians help them to achieve that.” “First they go and fight for our country. Then they get severely injured. And now they are being brave again and going out there on stage and trying to make us laugh. They said it is a way to help them heal, but it’s still a service they are providing the public, providing humor and laughter.”
Sergeant Abrams told his family that his National Guard unit was going to be activated and they would be going to Iraq. One of his kids said, immediately, “Who is going to bring the firewood in all winter?” Months later Abrams’ platoon was going on a mission and his men would miss a steak dinner. He sent one of his soldiers to talk to the cook to see if they could save some steaks until they returned. The cook apparently stressed out by the excessive desert heat, many continuous hours of cooking and basically difficult conditions complained about his job in the mess tent. The soldier said to him, “I’ll switch with you. I’ll stay here and cook and you go out and get shot at.”
Although not a professional comedian, Sergeant Abrams supplied another funny story about switching places. During the winter his pet dogs defecate around the house in the snow. On a rare opportunity to call home, he spoke to his wife who complained about the snow now melting and leaving the dog’s mess in piles. Sergeant Abrams responded, “Okay, you take my place here and I’ll come home and clean up the mess.
Army veteran (1966- 69) George Mardigan said that his commanding officer said that there would be no leave until after the parade, on their base in New Jersey. The parade ended and the CO told Mardigan to march the unit of one hundred and sixty men back
to the barracks in an orderly fashion. When the CO left, George said that the whole group yelled, cursed, laughed and ran amok all over the base on their way to enjoy the rest of the weekend.
As I mentioned earlier, some veterans recalled what might be called “dark humor.” Marines in Santo Domingo in 1965 joked about an enemy sniper who couldn’t hit anyone. In 20013 some soldiers joked about an IED going off while wearing fake turbans and impersonating the enemy. A Vietnam veteran said he threatened to shoot his sister whowas an antiwar demonstrator.
I guess humor provides much needed relief and distraction no matter what the style or type. John R. Ostwald is a professor emeritus from Hudson Valley Community College, a newspaper columnist, Vietnam-era veteran and author whose work has been presented on TV, radio and at national conferences.