Jan Donahue, The Military Comic

*Thanks to the MN League of Women Voters. Your conference was a great experience and it was my pleasure to perform for you! 

*Jan continues to work on her book and she'll keep you updated. Where does the time go?

*Jan was contacted by the Surgeon General's Office of the United States Army National Guard, and invited to be the Host for the Family Section of their website, www.decadeofhealth.com. My articles are posted on the site! 

* Thank you to the Oregon National Guard for inviting me to speak at your conference in Salem in February 2009. Happy Birthday Oregon! 

* The Military Ball in St. Paul, on September 6th, 2008 was so much fun! You guys were an awesome audience and you so touched my heart! Thank you!!

* I had a great time in St. Louis, on July 22, 2008 for the Army National Guard Conference. I met so many awesome people, and we had a blast!

* Thank you to the Disabled Veteran's Conference for inviting me to speak in Rochester, MN. Thank you for all you have done for us!

*Jan is featured as the Comic of the Month for June 2008, in Comedy Corner Magazine Online. They wrote a great story! You may read it at: http://www.comedycorneronline.com/comicofmonth.htm or go to www.comedycorneronline.com and click on the Comic of the Month link.

*I had a great time at the Governor's Mansion in Minnesota. Thank you to our most gracious First Lady, Mary Pawlenty!

*The Associated Press story was published across the nation and in Canada on November 7, 2007. Thanks Pat!

Jan attended Judy Carter's Comedy Workshop in Los Angeles, California and appeared at the Hollywood Improv on June 3, 2007. She has also appeared with Tim Cavanaugh and Scott Hansen at Trapper's Lounge in the LaQuinta Inn located in Rochester, MN.

Comedy Shows include appearances for the Minnesota National Guard Family Readiness Groups of Minnesota in Alexandria, Anoka, Austin, Bemidji, Bloomington (twice), Camp Ripley, Detroit Lakes, Duluth, Grand Rapids, Jackson, Madison, Marshall, New Ulm, Ortonville, Redwood Falls, Sauk Centre, West St. Paul, & Woodbury.  Jan also performed as the guest speaker in a fundraiser for the California National Guard Chaplaincy at the Town and Country Lutheran Church in Sacramento, California. She also did a show at Travis Air Force Base and performed last July for the United States Air Force in Riverside, CA at the Raincross 2007 Fourth Air Force Commanders' & Spouses Conference. Her schedule also included a show for the Wisconsin Air Guard in Milwaukee, the Army Reserve in Rochester, MN, and a comedy show for the Women's Veteran's Conference in Sioux Falls, SD.  Jan has completed a show for the Texas National Guard, Air Guard and Family Readiness Groups in Austin, TX, and for the Disabled Veteran's Conference in Rochester, MN. What an honor to perform for the Adjutant Generals in Minnesota and Wisconsin, and California, as well as Veterans, Spouses, Military Families and Friends all over the United States!

Jan has also appeared several times at Open Mic Night at Goonies Comedy Club in Rochester, MN, and she has appeared at the Minnesota Comedy Club in Maplewood, MN.

Media coverage has been wonderful and several links are provided below. Stories about Jan's comedy career have been on ABC World News, other television news channels, newpapers, and radio stations. "Talking with Heroes," an international radio program, has featured Jan as one of their guest speakers. Tara Crooks also interviewed Jan on "Army Wife Talk Radio" this past October. The Associated Press also interviewed Jan ran their story on November 7th, and the Army/Navy/Air Force/Marine Corp Times ran a story on her in their Dec. 3rd issue. She is featured as the Comic of the Month in the June 2008 issue of Comedy Corner Magazine Online.

Recent appearances include shows for the Oregon National Guard in Salem, the United States Army National Guard in St. Louis and the Military Ball for the 934th Air Lift Wing in St. Paul, MN. Additional shows continue to be scheduled with other military organizations.  Jan has also expressed her interest in doing a USO Tour, and is waiting to hear if she has been accepted. The Pentagon is also inquiring about a possible show...what an honor!

It is with great honor Jan accepted an invitation to attend and speak at MN First Lady Mary Pawlenty's Dinner for Notable Women in October 2007. Contact Jan if you have questions or would like to book a show.

Contact Jan Donahue, The Military Comic, for Your Speaking Engagements. She has a great message for families and friends dealing with deployments. Jan does not comment on the war and she does not express any political views. Jan does not swear or use blue comedy in her act. This is a fun show that other families with deployed troops will certainly connect with and laugh!

An additional perspective with new comedy material has developed again as Jan and her soldier reunite, after an almost 2 year deployment to Iraq...as their son begins his military career. Congratulations on completing Basic and AIT...Hooah! And now the media is reporting another large MN National Guard deployment in 2009. Their youngest son, Drew, is also considering a military career with the Air Force.
January 2008 was Jan's first corporate show. She is excited to share her story and describe what a deployment does to a family, using her humorous material.

Additional Information and Pictures:
http://www.myspace.com/themilitarycomic

References Available Upon Request.
Past Clients Include The Minnesota National Guard, The United States Air Force, The Army Reserve, The Wisconsin Air Guard and National Guard, The Texas National Guard, Air Guard and Family Readiness Groups, Churches and Veteran's Organizations.

Congratulations to our oldest son who graduated from Basic Training, on November 9th, from Fort Leonard Wood, MO, and from AIT from Fort Lee, VA on January 17, 2008. May your life be a continued success. We're so proud of you!

Comedy Corner Magazine Online (06-24-08) by Jon Plombon
Featured as the Comic of the Month
http://www.comedycorneronline.com/comicofmonth.htm

Military Times (11-26-07) by Andrew deGrandpre

July 2009 Blog
Summer is finally here and I find both of my soldiers at AT in Camp Ripley, MN. My sons went without their Dad for 3 years during deployments. As a Mom, I don't understand why their Dad has to be away for training on Father's Day. I know...I know, I've been told if the Army wanted a soldier to have a family they would have issued him one. Some days that is so true!

Even though I am a comic, I am trying very hard to keep a positive attitude and keep my goals in focus. Our family continues to feel and live the effects of war, and it really makes life tough at times. I think about how our own hometown basically ignored us while our soldiers were away, but continued to gather to pack boxes for someone else's soldiers through Operation MN Nice. I think it's great they support our troops but I will always wonder why they didn't do things for their local soldiers and families while they were deployed?

I am working very hard on my wind energy job, which has taken me away from the comedy side of my life. Though I do apply it in my daily life, I have not been marketing the military comedy side of my life. If you'd like me to appear for a show, I'd love to be there...and I will be! Shoot me an email and we'll figure out a way. I do love my job and I have a wonderful boss that does support the creative side of my life. I have met some wonderful Veterans, as I continue with my daily work. They have big hearts with tears of gold, and they always touch my heart and make my life richer.

Even though we are really suffering the effects of war these days, I continue to work hard and I do keep a smile on my face. The healing power of humor keeps me going. If I am able to make one person smile or laugh in a day, I am ok! To help someone else is so enriching and empowering. Remember that as you continue your adventure of life. No matter what happens to you, once again, it is all in how you react to it. I am working hard to take the high road. As I practice walking away with a smile, it becomes much easier to do! People are still going to try and hurt you and take you down, but they don't have to succeed. That is all in your power. There really is something to that saying from childhood, "Sticks and stones may break your bones but words can never hurt you." It really is all up to how YOU decide to live your live. You have the power. I have the power too! God has given us that power!! How empowering is that? Life is a gift...keep unwrapping it with a smile!



This was my June 2009 Blog...
It's about time I update this page! So much has happened since I blogged the last time. First and foremost, that young soldier of ours has been selected as Soldier of the Year for his Unit and now his Battalion. In April he will compete for the Brigade title. He continues to go to college full time, work part time and serve proudly in our MN National Guard. He had volunteered to go to Iraq, this past January, but his Commander changed his plans. I'm thinking I should send him a "thank you!" We are so very proud of that boy!
My articles are now posted on the www.decadeofhealth.com website. This is a great website with some great tips on surviving a deployment on the homefront. I may have a pretty good tip or two on there as well!
All of my soldiers were home for Christmas. This was quite a treat but I was barely healthy enough to enjoy it. In fact, after 2 surgeries within a week's time, I hardly made it out of the hospital in time for Christmas. I was able to prepare the Christmas Eve Feast, with much help, but I did not do any clean up. I'm thinking having others clean up was a great idea and next year I will continue that tradition! My health is much better but I still struggle with a few complications. This too shall pass.
This past weekend I performed for the Oregon National Guard at their conference in Salem. I fell in love with Oregon and everyone treated me so wonderful. They even honored me with a standing ovation which really tugged at my heart. What an honor to perform for such brave heros and their families. This is what I enjoy and I feel such a great honor to be able to do these comedy/motivational speaking shows for our Soldiers and Airmen and their families. It's heartwarming to connect with my audience as they laugh at the things we went through as a deployed family.
Remember that life is all about how your react to it and decide to handle it. You are not in control of what life brings your way, but you do have control of how you choose to come through it. Enjoy today and remember it's a gift. Yes...it's the present!