Four comedians from the “Comics on Duty World Tour” performed a free comedy show for more than 100 Whidbey Island Sailors at the Admiral Nimitz Galley March 15.

“Over the past 20 years I have dedicated my career to providing quality programs for the Armed Forces,” said Richard Davis, executive producer of the Davis Entertainment Group that manages the shows. “There are no more deserving audience then military members and their families.”

The mission of the Comics on Duty World Tour is to perform the highest network caliber comedy program.

“The comedians the tour brings in to perform are top of the line talent,” said Deborah Brockway, business activity manager for NASWI. “This is the second year they have performed at the station.”

The comedians performing, Danny Villalpando, Gary Lazer, Don Barnhart and Troy Thirdgill all have experience headlining comedy clubs, have appeared on national television and regularly perform with the USO.

“It’s an honor and a privilege to do this tour to show our support for the troops,” said Dan Barnhart. “This is our unique way of saying thank you.”

The tour will perform at 53 military bases, hospitals and installations nationwide in 2007. They will also make appearances in the Mediterranean, Europe and Southwest Asia.

“The show is the least we can do to spend some time entertaining the troops,” said Danny Villalpando.

The Comics on Duty tour first started performing in 1992. To date they have performed nearly 2,600 shows worldwide, boosting morale of thousands of military personnel.

“I’m really happy they came out and performed,” said Airman Ryan Schaedeo. “I laughed throughout the whole show.”

“I was surprised at the quality of the material. The comedians were very funny,” said Aviation Ordnanceman Airman Joel Monteclaro.

The tour brought its own stage backdrop, sound system and lighting. The show has the flexibility to reach both large and small audiences and can travel to the most remote locations, wherever personnel are deployed.

“I thought the show was awesome. The comedians were hilarious,” said Air Traffic Controller 3rd Class Michela Mackovich.

Comedians signed autographs, mingled with the audience and passed out tour patches and other memorabilia after the performance. 

“I’m glad the comics came out. We need more events like this for the Sailors,” said Chief Culinary Specialist (AW/SW) Noel Garcia. 

The comics also performed at Naval Base Kitsap and Naval Station Everett last weekend.