FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Nov. 19, 2006
SR# 111806-01
Laughing It Up With Titus…
By Spc. Ryan Stroud
3rd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division Public Affairs
BAQUBAH, Iraq (Nov. 18, 2006) -- What started out as an ordinary day for the Soldiers of the 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division, stationed at Forward Operating Base Warhorse, turned into a laugh fest provided by the comedic styling's of Christopher Titus and Jennie McNulty.
Both performers, comedians and actors with the United Service Organizations tour, entertained the "Grey Wolf" Brigade for two shows at the Sallie Gym, Nov. 19.
"It was nice to have comedians come here," said Pfc. Cody Reynolds, Company A, 215th Brigade Support Battalion, 3rd BCT, and a native of Jamestown, N.Y.
"We don’t really get to watch TV, so it's nice to have someone come around here and give us something to laugh about," he added.
McNulty took the stage first, warming up the crowd with jokes about her life and poking a little fun at the audience of Soldiers.
Then, with a roaring applause, she introduced Titus. Titus worked the stage for over an hour delivering joke after joke, all to entertain and raise the morale of the Soldiers deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.
"[The Soldiers] have difficult jobs," said Titus. "If you're a driver in a convoy and you're tense all the time from missions, and I can come out here and make you laugh for an hour and a half, then that’s great."
"If we can come up here and help take your mind of where you are for a bit, it makes me feel like I am helping a cause and doing my part," added McNulty.
Reynolds agreed these events raise the moral of the Soldiers around him.
"It makes the day go by better and it defiantly brings the morale up," said Reynolds. "Getting a chance to laugh, that was nice. And it gives you something to talk about … other than work."
Titus' show was a routine filled with jokes and comments, most of which were inspired by his life before and after Sept. 11, 2001.
Titus, who welcomed his first child into the world two weeks before Sept. 11, said the show was about having a child so close to 9/11, said Titus.
Titus also mentioned the importance of reminding the Soldiers of the impact they make on the community.
"I have a two and half year-old son," Titus continued, "and if he was out here, I would hope someone would want to come out here [to entertain him and his buddies.]
"This show is for these guys," he added.
"[The Soldiers] need to know that somebody notices them and their efforts, and the people back home really do," Titus said. "We are completely behind you."
After the show was complete, Titus and McNulty signed autographs, posed for pictures and spoke personally with the Soldiers.
"The [whole experience] was great," said Titus. "The [audience] was really great and listened really well. It was nice."
"I'm glad to see someone take their time to come out here because some Soldiers do need a morale boost and this does help," said Spc. Billy Hicks, Co. A, 215th BSB, and a native of Wellston, Ok.
"I really enjoyed the show," he continued. "It’s the first time I have ever seen Titus. The last time I was in Iraq, I missed many of the shows that were put on, so this was very nice to see."
Both Reynolds and Hicks said they laughed a lot and would love to see more shows come to FOB Warhorse in the future.
"I would love to see more performances like this," said Reynolds. "This gives us a really good memory of being over here.”
"This means a lot to us,” said Hicks, “Anyone who is willing to come out here and do this for us -- it’s great."
(right click image, then "Save as")
Stumble It!
