Comedy is the Cure

Comedian Bernie McGrenahan performs at the base theater May 17. McGrenahan’s hour-long performance featured both stand-up comedy and an inspirational message about alcohol abuse. His visit was sponsored by the wing safety office, as part of the effort to promote safe and responsible decisions among all Airmen. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman Jerilyn Quintanilla)

Comedy is the Cure

Comedian Bernie McGrenahan meets with Airmen after his performance at the base theater May 17. McGrenahan’s hour-long performance featured both stand-up comedy and an inspirational message about alcohol abuse. His visit was sponsored by the wing safety office, as part of the effort to promote safe and responsible decisions among all Airmen. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman Jerilyn Quintanilla)

Safety Day kicks off "101 Critical Days of Summer"

Airmen stop to take a look at a damaged car set on display during a Safety briefing here May 17. The car was involved in a mishap involving three airmen from D-M and was set on display to show the potential consequences of unsafe driving. Safety Day is an annual event hosted by the wing safety office and is meant to highlight and warn Airmen of the hazards associated with the “101 Critical Days of Summer.” (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman Jerilyn Quintanilla)

Safety Day kicks off "101 Critical Days of Summer"

Col. Jon Norman, 355th Fighter Wing commander, speaks to the D-M Airmen about the importance of making responsible choices during a Safety Day briefing here May 17. The annual event, hosted by the wing safety office, is meant to highlight and warn Airmen of the hazards associated with the “101 Critical Days of Summer.” (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman Jerilyn Quintanilla)

'Safety Day' entertains, informs Airmen

Published May 21, 2010
By Staff Sgt. Jake Richmond
355th Fighter Wing Public Affairs

DAVIS-MONTHAN AIR FORCE BASE, Ariz. -- Safety officials here conducted the first "Safety Day" of the year May 17, combining standard informative briefings with a unique, thought-provoking comedy show.

With the 101 Critical Days of Summer right around the corner, it was time to dedicate an entire duty day to safety-related issues, said 355th Fighter Wing Safety Officer Lt. Col. Jennifer Short. She said young Airmen, especially, need to be reminded of how to always make decisions with safety in mind.

"Lots of young folks still think they're bulletproof," Colonel Short said. "And when you're young and in the military, you might live through a deployment to (Operation Enduring Freedom) or (Operation Iraqi Freedom) and come back thinking you're invincible."

Statistics, she said, certainly don't back up that type of thinking. For example, since late 2003, fewer than 18,000 servicemembers have been killed in combat operations in OEF and OIF. Yet in 2009 alone, more than 33,000 Americans died in motor vehicle accidents.

"Those deaths are purely preventable, and that's a big reason why we have functions like Safety Day," Colonel Short said.

The challenge, though, is in the presentation. The messages are clearly important, but if they're delivered the same old way, the content can be lost on Airmen who've been raised on slideshow safety briefings since joining the military.

That's why the D-M safety team decided to bring in Bernie McGrenahan, a nationally acclaimed performer who combines legitimate stand-up comedy with a unique and inspirational message.

The first 40 minutes of his show were what you'd expect: outrageous celebrities, gender differences, some bathroom humor, and lots of belly laughs from the audience. But it was the last 20 minutes that brought McGrenahan to the base on Safety Day - he started talking about his years of alcohol abuse. There weren't as many laughs, but there were plenty of wide-eyed, attentive stares.

A former straight-A student and sports phenom, McGrenahan started drinking in eighth grade and slowly watched his life unravel. After losing his scholarship and then partying away a couple of college years, he was forced to move back in with his parents and younger siblings.

At first, he kept on partying - except this time, he often found himself going to parties with his high-school-senior brother, Scott. He soon realized that Scott was drinking way too much, way too often, even to Bernie's lenient standards. So, he decided it was time for big brother to intervene.

Scott didn't take kindly to McGrenahan's advice, and the scene quickly turned volatile. Bernie stormed off and drove to - where else? - a nearby bar.

When he got home a little while later, his brother was dead from a self-inflicted shotgun blast. Depressed, boozing and set off by an argument with his older brother, Scott had ended his own life.

It took a while, but McGrenahan eventually sobered up and changed his lifestyle.

"Now, I try to live in a way that would make Scott proud," he said.

One of his primary goals these days is to help young people understand that there's a fine line between fun-time partying and dangerous, abusive drinking habits - and the consequences of mistaking the two can be devastating.

Colonel Short didn't want the day to be "anti-fun"; she believes Airmen should practice what McGrenahan preached.

"Our leadership wants our Airmen to work hard and play hard, but to do so safely," she said.