Marine Corps Air Station New River, N.C. -- If there’s one thing Marines understand, it’s stress. Constant physical training sessions, unpredictable schedules, deployments and other aspects of Marine Corps life leave little time for Marines to sit back and relax.
The Leatherneck Comedy Tour II, held at the Marine Corps Air Station New River physical fitness center, provided Marines with the opportunity to trade daily cares for a good laugh, free tunes and a chance to dance, March 22.
“I want these Marines to enjoy themselves,” said Donna Morsi, program manager for Recreation, Deployment Support and Entertainment. “I want every little stress on their shoulders to go away.”
Comedians Mark Viera, Tim Gaither and Geoff Keith kept the crowd chortling with tales of strange hotel experiences and free relationship advice.
Viera, who has also performed for troops at Marine Corps Bases Camp Pendleton, Okinawa, and Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni said he thought the performance was a hit.
“I think it was great,” Viera said. “You want people to just forget everything and enjoy themselves.”
The final act was singer and dancer Vali, who lit up the stage with “Shut It Down.” She also performed “Roxanne,” Bruno Mar’s “Locked out of Heaven” and brought Marines on stage for a Harlem Shake dance-off.
“It was so much fun,” Vali said. “I was surprised they actually got up on the stage with me.”
Vali said that her goals for the performance remained in line with that of all the entertainers performing during the tour.
“I just wanted everyone to come and leave happier than when they came,” she said.
After the performance, members of the audience were given the opportunity to take pictures with or receive autographs from the entertainers. Vali, who had never performed for Marines before, asked audience members to autograph a United States Marine Corps shirt that she brought out after the event.
For audience members who enjoyed the performance and would like another chance to see it, Leatherneck Comedy Tour II will return to Jacksonville in April to perform at MCB Camp Lejeune.