Bobby Henline always had a knack for comedy and a sense of humor that helped him keep sane while deployed in Iraq, but after sustaining devastating battlefield injuries his jokes became a lifeline.
In April of 2007, the Army staff sergeant lost an arm and 38 percent of his body was burned after an improvised explosive device struck his Humvee outside the village of Zaganiyah. For a while, Henline said he didn’t want to live anymore, suffering through dozens of surgeries and medical procedures to help him live a semi-normal life, but comedy brought him back from the brink.
“A sense of humor helps us to heal. Not physically. We all know how the human body works. But mentally, humor really helps,” he said. “It helps us and it helps our family to know we’re still here and we’re going to be all right.”
For the past two years Henline has been touring as a motivational speaker and stand-up comedian, telling his story to others. Now, he and four other wounded veterans are part of a new project aimed to use humor as a method of rehabilitation.
“Humor is a great equalizer,” said Saratoga Springs resident John Wager, co- producer of the new documentary “Comedy Warriors: Healing through Humor.” “It can lift you through hard times and help you heal. … These veterans have been through hell and back on our behalf and now they are about to go on a journey of a different kind.”
Through the help of co-producer Ray Reo, the veterans will be partnered with A-list comedians and comedy writers to create a stand-up routine that will reflect their struggles and triumphs after being wounded. The documentary will tell the story of each veteran, from entering the military to the recovery process, and focus on what it takes to do stand-up at a live venue.
So far, comedians Bob Saget, Zach Galifianakis, Brad Garret, Lewis Black and Kathleen Madigan have agreed to be mentors for the project.
“We are committed to making a film of award-winning caliber and impact,” said Wager.
Reo and Wager thought of the idea over lunch last year in Saratoga Springs.
Wager was already involved with filming special pieces for the Wounded Warrior Project, a non-profit that assists in the care of wounded veterans. As a talent manager for comedians for the past 15 years, Reo had connections with comedic actors and writers. The two decided to put their expertise together to create a film about humor, healing and hope.
“I guess the overall feeling of the lunch was, what can we do to honor these veterans?” said Wager. “In some small way give back and at the same time, create greater awareness of what they have gone through on our behalf.”
Besides Henline, 1st Sgt. Rob Jones of the Marines and Sgt. Joe Kashnow, 1st Lt. Stephen Rice and 1st Sgt. Darisse Smith of the Army, were all chosen to participate through the help of the Wounded Warrior Project.
Executive Director Al Giordano said the organization was honored to help with the film and pair those injured in the line of duty with the filmmakers.
“I have learned that healing is an incredibly personal process and for some, being able to express their traumatic experiences through humor can create breakthroughs in their recovery,” he said.
Those who wanted to participate were asked to put together a short video that showcased their sense of humor and send it to Reo. Out of nearly 40 submissions, five were chosen.
“We probably could have chose 10 but we felt that five would be a good number to work with as far as being mentored,” said Reo.
Over the next 10 months, the five will travel to meet with comedy writers to create a personalized stand-up routine about the military, their injuries and recovery. They will then meet with their comedic mentors in New York or Los Angeles to have their bit critiqued.
“All of the mentoring will lead up to a live performance event, potentially on national television. That’s our hope,” said Reo.
Filming began on Thursday, Nov. 17, outside of the Military Courtesy Room at Albany International Airport. The film is scheduled for completion by fall 2012. All of the chosen veterans were present, except for Jones. He was undergoing mandatory therapy before being discharged from the Walter Reed National Military Medical Center.
The filmmakers and veterans stressed the importance of laughter as the first step to recovery.
Henline said he often uses humor as a way to break down barriers between people who may not understand his appearance, especially children.
“Just by saying something funny and telling the little kid ‘Listen to your mother because I didn’t. She told me to stop making those faces. They will freeze like that.’ Then they’re more welcome to talk to you and learn something,” he said. “It’s one thing if some fireman comes to talk to you about not playing with matches, but if I tell you you’re going to listen.”
Kashnow, Smith, and Rice each said they always thought about doing stand-up, but the email from the Wounded Warrior Project gave them the push they needed to give it a try.
“I’ve been looking for a way to get out of my day job for years,” joked Rice.
Like Henline, Rice was injured by an IED. So was Kashnow, who eventually had his leg amputated below the knee after two years of therapy. Smith now suffers chronic pain in her hip and leg after the helicopter she was piloting was struck during combat.
Each said their families were very supportive of their recoveries and their participation in the film, especially Kashnow’s wife.
“She said if she hears one more one-legged joke she’s going to hit me with my own prosthetic, so I need to find a new audience,” he joked.
All said they’re excited to get help with their comedy and see where the film leads them. Most are hoping the experience will help them to follow a new career path.
“There are many people I’m excited to work with,” said Rice. “Right now, I have no idea what I’m doing, so I’ll take what I can get. I think my main goal is to try something I’ve never done before and raise awareness for those veterans who feel lost out there. Just to get our story out there, and show that there’s a lighter side to being traumatically wounded, that’s the main thing.”
He did joke that if a multimillion-dollar movie deal came out of the process, he wouldn’t mind.
Wager called the veterans “hilarious.” From just the few days they’ve spent together filming, he already knows making the movie will be a fun process.
“They’re just funny all of the time. So while some of the subject may be serious, the overall tone will be humorous and light-hearted,” he said. “The purpose of the film is not only to document the struggle these individuals went through but their healing process. It will serve as a way of honoring their service and sacrifice, as well as a message of hope for the injured service members who have just begun this journey.”
The filmmakers are currently seeking donations to complete their project. To learn more visit www.comedywarriors.com.
