Comedian brings laughs along with strong message Published May 18, 2011 By Staff Sgt. Brian J. Valencia 375th Air Mobility Wing Public Affairs SCOTT AIR FORCE BASE, Ill -- Comedian Bernie McGrenahan brought his "Happy Hour" comedy show to Scott Air Force Base Monday bringing laughs along with a strong message. This "Happy Hour" was a program disguised as a stand-up comedy routine that discussed issues of avoiding at-risk drinking, drugs, suicide and sexual assault. Mr. McGrenahan got the show rolling with comedy that captured the attention of the audience, and continued into the serious part of his presentation. He began to tell his personal story, which started with alcohol in eighth grade. He and his friends would occasionally raid his parents' liquor cabinet. From that point on, his drinking would steadily increase throughout his high school and college years. His "one night a week" of drinking quickly became two, then three nights, plus weekends. He lost a baseball scholarship to college when his play started to deteriorate. He dropped out of community college, lost his job and got three driving while intoxicated arrests that finally landed him in jail for six months. Following in his brother's footsteps, his younger brother Scott began to drink and do drugs. This would lead to his suicide in the family's backyard. Mr. McGrenahan said his drinking buddies did not visit him in jail on his one day he could see visitors. It was football season and he knew where they were. His only visitor was his mother who came week after week. He said it was hard to see how broken-hearted she was. He told her he wanted to change and that when he got out, he was not going to drink or do drugs anymore. That was 21 years ago. Mr. McGrenahan isn't shy when speaking about the mistakes he has made and wants others to learn from them. Near the end of his show Mr. McGrenahan encouraged everyone to look out for each other, to talk to someone they think is drinking too much or taking drugs and be aware of any changes that might indicate they are depressed or having thoughts of suicide. He said we should all be watching out for our "battle buddy." To view more photos and comments from Scott personnel who attended, see: http://comedyisthecure.com/2011/05/scott-afb-bernie-is-here/#comments