Citizen Staff Writer
BRIAN MORI
calendar@tucsoncitizen.com
A little humor can go a long way in assisting injured U.S. servicemen and women.
Comics for Courage will hold a one-night special Thursday at Laffs Comedy Caffé to benefit the Wounded Warriors Project, a nationally recognized organization devoted to helping maimed veterans recover and lead active, meaningful lives.
The show is the brainchild of Chris Cannon, a stand-up comic from Denver who retired from the U.S. Air Force in 1987. Since early 2008, Cannon has toured cities across the Southwest raising money for the Wounded Warriors by organizing comedy shows that feature local, regional and national comics.
WWP “is not the VA, but they care about you and are with you,” Cannon tells veterans. “I’m not going to get a TV show. This is a way I can do what I do and help.”
Cannon will headline the Laffs show along with Vietnam vets Gary Hood and Walt Maxam, both of Tucson.
Their humor is observational, the trio say, and offers each veteran’s perspectives on modern life.
“Everybody gets hit,” warns Hood, who describes himself as, “a liberal that makes Obama look conservative.”
Hood’s humor is dry and cutting. Of President Obama, he offers, “Once you go black you’re out of Iraq!”
Maxam, who works in the Marana Unified School District, is the “old man” making fun of the kids. He throws in a few Cialis and Viagra jokes to perk people up.
Cannon’s jokes poke fun at society. “I love hockey. If you don’t like your opponent, you take his nose off. On the street, you get 20 years. What’s two minutes” in the penalty box? quips Cannon, who’s written for Jay Leno and Bill Engvall.
While Obama jokes may be part of the act, Comics for Courage is about a bigger issue that transcends politics, Hood says.
“You don’t have to be partisan. It’s not, ‘Who did you vote for?’ It’s, ‘Some kid is hurt and you want to help.’ ”
Wounded Warriors get comic relief from vetted acts
IF YOU GO
What: Comics for Courage comedy night benefiting the Wounded Warrior Project.
When: 8 p.m. Thursday
Where: Laffs Comedy Caffé, 2900 E. Broadway
Price: $15 single, $25 for two; reservations suggested
Info: 323-8669, www.laffs tucson.com, www.wounded warriorproject.org