Happy Hour

Published April 15, 2010
By Staff Sgt. Kimberly Moore
81st Training Wing Public Affairs

KEESLER AIR FORCE BASE, Miss. -- Many would think 8 a.m. is too early to attend a comedy show, but Keesler personnel filled the seats of the Welch Auditorium April 9 for the first of three sessions of "Happy Hour."

Nationally-known comedian Bernie McGrenahan presented the No. 1 ranked alcohol safety and prevention program in America, joking about current events and easing into the downward spiral his life took, bottoming out when his brother committed suicide.

Mr. McGrenahan's presentation, 30 minutes stand-up comedy and 30 minutes inspirational message, touched on suicide, alcoholism and sexual assault.

He ended his show urging the audience to have courage and to look out for fellow Airmen.

The 81st Training Wing commander, Brig. Gen. Ian Dickinson, thanked Mr. McGrenahan for his program and also thanked the audience for attending, joking that they were more attentive to the comedian than they were to him. He ended his comments with a challenge, "Enjoy the comedy, hear the message."

As the audience left the theater, they passed a table sponsored by the sexual assault prevention and response office and alcohol and drug abuse prevention and Tteatment offices, offering free water bottles, pens, pencils, coasters, key rings and informational pamphlets.

Keesler security forces support force protection, security efforts while deployed to Southwest Asia