Comedy Brings Serious Message to Base Personnel Published July 24, 2009 By P. A. Tezuka SMC Public Affairs LOS ANGELES AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- Base personnel were treated to a one-of-a-kind safety briefing as stand-up comedian Bernie McGrenahan brought his special safety message, Happy Hour Comedy - Comedy is the Cure, to the Gordon Conference Center, July 21. Two training sessions were held during the morning where audiences were treated to non-stop laughter, but with a twist - a message of risks, dangers and responsibility of drinking, partying, relationships and drugs. "[To] laugh is the best treasure in life," said Col. Anita Latin, 61st Air Base Wing commander, as she introduced McGrenahan to the packed room. He bases his show on his own past experiences with drugs and alcohol and the consequences he had to face for his careless actions. The jokes were done in a light-hearted, comic theme so everyone could relate. The room was brought to one sobering moment, which brought some listeners to tears when he talked about his younger brother who took his own life due to drinking as a youth. It turned out to be an eye-opener for McGrenahan, who has been a nondrinker for the past 20 years. He has been called by the Los Angeles Daily News as the "the most important comedian in the country today." With his "Happy Hour" tour, he visits high schools, universities and military bases throughout the United States and overseas to spread the word about the consequences of drugs and alcohol.