Laughing to Support Veterans

If you like to laugh, and who doesn't, make sure to mark Feb. 14 on your calendar.

Mrs. Northern California-America Charlene Jones and the Operation Warriors Foundation have organized the "Laughing at Life Comedy Show" at the Veterans Memorial Building in Pleasanton for Feb. 14.

The featurd comedian for the show is PJ Walsh, a Navy veteran who also served as the dental hygienist for Former President Clinton and his family. He has also participated in the Comics on Tour, which is a group of comedians who travel to Iraq and Afghanistan to entertain the troops.

"(PJ) could be getting paid thousands and thousands of dollars to do a show somewhere else but they immediately chose to dedicate Feb. 14th for this show," Jones said.

This is the first year of the comedy show, with the proceeds going to pay for co-pays for prescription medications for veterans.

"Our veterans often face many problems and especially after they have completed their service," Jones said. "With cutbacks to Social Security and the low income of our Service Members combined with the high cost of living here in California, Veterans and Service Members (including our elderly Veterans) sometimes secretly have to decide between paying for their necessary medications and paying for housing and food. This shouldn't be happening."

Jones, whose husband has served in the military, has wanted to have the comedy show for years and is hoping the event will bring some deserved entertainment to veterans and the community.

"I wanted to bring laughter and joy to our Veterans, Service Members and their families and give them that little bit of a push to continue to fight the fight and get through the tough times," Jones said. "I wanted to provide a date night for those who serve that would bring joy and laughter to their relationship as well as the personal courage that it takes to overcome the battles that military families and veterans face."

Tickets are $10 for veterans and their spouses and $20 for everyone else. You can get tickets by calling 510-984-1125 or by going to the Operation Warriors Foundation Web site.