Marines treated to a comedic homecoming ceremony
More than 100 local marines back from Iraq enjoyed a different type of homecoming this morning. Instead of speeches and awards, the 314 H-Battery Marine unit got to laugh!
http://www.nbc12.com/news/state/4502206.html
By Beth Danziger, NBC12 News
The 150 Richmond-based marines were away from home for 10 months fighting in Iraq. So to break the ice with friends and family, the marine unit went in a different direction and brought in a comedy and music show called ‘Comedy Cures’.
It wasn't your typical ‘welcome home ceremony’. Yes, there were banners and family, but this time these marines were told they had to laugh. "When you get back and you’re in an environment that's more relaxed, it's hard to switch gears that fast. It's hard not to hear that commander’s voice in your head,” says Saranne Rothberg, the founder of Comedy Cures.
So through a comedy set, a music routine and a laughter session, Comedy Cures tried to relax these marines and their families and remind them that the stressful times are over and it's okay to smile again.
Comedy Cures has been around since 1999.
The founder, Saranne Rothberg, came up with the idea while she was in a chemo chair fighting breast cancer.