By Eva Trieger
LA JOLLA, California –Joe Kashnow, Baltimore native, enlisted in the United States Army in 2002. He was stationed in Iraq with the 4th Infantry Division of Colorado. He had a dream of becoming a Comanche pilot, manning helicopters. One year later, Kashnow was the victim of roadside bomb. By 2005, the young soldier anticipated a series of surgeries, an amputation, and a very long rehabilitation. Doesn’t sound like the stuff of a comedic revue, does it?
Fortunately for Kashnow, and four other wounded veterans, an email arrived from the Wounded Warrior project. “Comedians wanted.” While the young soldier had grown up appreciating comedy, it was not his life’s dream. Kashnow told me he knew that comedians could earn “hundreds of dollars in a year” and as enticing as that was, the federal government was offering a more viable package.
A strong Jewish identity saw Kashnow through many of life’s challenges, in and out of the army. He did not report any overt anti-Semitism during his stint in the service and told me he felt respected by his peers and officers. Crediting his faith with a positive attitude, Kashnow deadpanned that due to his specific injury, he has a “leg up in the comedy world.”
Pairing well-known comedians with these five Iraq/Afghanistan veterans, a film was created with the goal of healing through humor. Bob Saget, Lewis Black, Zach Galifiankis, and B. J. Novak mentored the soldiers and helped them use their personal experiences to develop a 74 minute film that introduces laughter to a situation generally associated with devastation and loss.
“Comedy Warriors” will run at the Jacobs Family JCC for one night only, and Kashnow will be on hand for a talk back. When asked what surprised him most about audiences, Sergeant Kashnow told me that “people find the film so motivating. It is rewarding and moving. After a showing, audience members came up and told me that my film helped them deal with a difficult issue or experience.”
Joe Kashnow’s future is looking pretty bright these days. He has been doing stand-up shows in Baltimore, and looks forward to performing in Saratoga, New York, as well as San Antonio, Texas. On Veteran’s Day, three out of the five comedy warriors will appear in Richmond, Virginia for a show.
I guess the moral of the story is: When life gives you lemons; make lemonade. When life gives you tragedy, tell jokes! This very exciting film will be shown at the La Jolla JCC on October 29th at 7 pm. Tickets are available over the phone or online. 858-362-1348 or http://www.sdjff.org”>www.sdjff.org
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Trieger is a freelance writer specializing in coverage of the arts. She may be contacted via eva.trieger@sdjewishworld.com