SATURDAY, DECEMBER 28TH AND SUNDAY, DECEMBER 29TH – NASHVILLE TO SEOUL, KOREA:

Another wonderful 2:30 am wakeup call for the flight from Nashville to Seattle and on to Seoul, South Korea.  This is the 4th flight this month with that call time.  Don’t any flights depart at “decent” hours anymore?

Arrived at the airport at around 4:30 am for a 6:05 am departure.  Had a few minutes in the Lounge and then boarded the flight to Seattle.  It was a full flight and the lady sitting next to me had a small dog in a carrier and the people sitting in front of me in the bulkhead seats had a large German Shepard that lay at their fee the entire time.  All I could think about was – what if one of those dogs needs a potty break?  Their owners were giving them treats and water, so that’s an obvious concern.  But, all went smoothly and we landed almost an hour early.  That gave me an hour and a half in the lounge before boarding the flight to Seoul.

This trip is with my Annual New Year’s Eve Comedy Tour – 12 years now!  This year is even more special because a new sponsor came on board – compliments of Dave Price.  AFE still co-sponsors and routes the tour and handles logistics but the Bob and Dolores Hope Foundation have paid for our tour this year.  I can’t begin to express what a tremendous honor it is to be able to carry the “legacy” of Bob Hope with us on the tour this year.  I wonder how different my life would have been had Mr. Hope not decided to make that first visit with the military deployed overseas.   Everyone in America owes him a tremendous debt of gratitude for donating his time to visit with the men and women in combat zones around the world.  We just want to be able to educate and remind the younger generation of men and women serving what an impact he had on all service members lives in perpetuity.

We boarded our flight on time and I had numerous text messages from all the others before taking off.  Everyone was on time although two members said they were re-scheduling and heading off to Rio.  I passed a monitor for the flight boarding to Honolulu and sent a text that I was re-scheduling for that flight since they were no longer meeting me in Korea and I wouldn’t be needed.   Told them I’d say hello to “Wolf 57 – Baja” for them once I arrived Honolulu.  That’s what I love about this group – they are as funny and fun to be around both on and off stage.

Watched a strange movie titled “Luce” while dinner was being served and then worked for a couple of hours.  Strange not to have hundreds of emails to answer but I guess most people are not working again until after New Year’s.  I actually watched a movie on the flight to Seattle and two movies on the flight to Seoul.  Not much sleep going on for me though.  The food on Delta was exceptional on all the flights and the flight from Seattle to Seoul is the new reconfigured aircraft with the sleeper suites. Those are really nice but this one was different because of the storage compartments.  After all these years, they finally got it “right”.   A female must have designed the interior.  LOL.

Landed on time in Seoul but Immigration was terrible! Several flights arrived at once and they had multiple counters open for local nationals but only two counters for all the foreign passports.  I was almost first in line and still waited over 30 minutes.  The NYC pax arrived a few minutes after me and their wait was around 45 minutes.  I waited at baggage claim for them and then we walked out together where Mr. Chong and Ben were waiting for us.  The LAX passengers arrived a few minutes later but also had more than a 30 minute wait at Immigration.  Once everyone had exited Customs we loaded our bus for the drive to Camp Casey – about 1 hour away.  Dave gave everyone the personalized camo down jackets, tour t-shirt, tour hoodie, and a great backpack we had made for them.

We got checked into Lodging and then walked across the street to the Gateway for dinner.  They were sold out of all the Korean dishes so we ended up eating the same “fast food” we get in the USA.  There were a couple of soldiers there who said they will be at our show tomorrow night.

Our visit to Rodriguez Range to see “live fire” tomorrow has been postponed until Tuesday.  Supposedly, the Swine Fever epidemic is over and Mr. Chong is going to try to get our tour to the DMZ reinstated.  Really hope he can as I’d love for everyone to have that experience.

Going to get in bed soon since I only slept 2 hours on the flight over.

Jude

MONDAY, DECEMBER 3OTH, 2019 – FIRST PERFORMANCE AT CAMP CASEY, SOUTH KOREA:

Well, my idea to get to bed relatively early didn’t work out so well.  Finally passed out at 3 am and slept until 7:30am.  I contacted Mr. Chung at around 8:30 am to see if he had been able to get us a tour of the DMZ.  He sent me a text and said he could take us to Freedom Bridge but the DMZ was still closed.  I told him that was fine and he said, “Let’s go”!  Of course, I couldn’t be ready that quickly and neither could any of the others.  We set a departure time for 10 am.  It’s an hour drive up to the DMZ and I have driven past the place he took us but never stopped there.  It was very interesting but, of course, not as fascinating as the DMZ tour.  Our bad luck for 2 years now that we haven’t gotten to go there.  We took lots of great photos before heading back to have lunch at the golf course.  Several of the guys had walked over there earlier today and had breakfast.  My opinion – it is the best place to eat on base.  I had the Bulgogi and it was great.  After lunch, Jordan Bross and I went over to the venue to set up for the show.  I had planned to only “pop” in and see who things looked but ended up staying the entire 2 hours.  All the others came over at around 3:30 pm and did their mic check.  It’s a good room for the show but since no one has to work tomorrow, I feel sure most of the men and women stationed at Camp Casey left the base and will spend their New Year’s holidays in downtown Seoul.  Can’t say that I blame them.

After the mic check, I walked over to the Base Exchange and shops around it.  Some interesting things there to purchase but I don’t want to have to carry them around at the 4 remaining bases!

We walked over to the venue at 6:25 pm for a 7:00 pm show.  Crowd was definitely lighter than I would have liked but the ones who did attend were enthusiastic.  The comedians did a great show with lots of audience involvement and afterwards everyone – including our MWR hosts told us how great the performance was.  The autograph cards are pre-signed which really makes the line move quicker and our group took photos with everyone in line.

We had pre-ordered dinner at the Gateway Restaurant – which is the only place on base that was still open at 9:30 pm to purchase food.  We were back in lodging a little after 10 pm and I’m sure everyone but me crashed immediately.

We have an 8:50 am lobby call to go to Rodriguez Range for “live fire”.  It’s all Marines up there and always a fun time for everyone.

Jude

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 31ST – SECOND PERFORMANCE IN KOREA AT CAMP HOVEY:

I got in bed at midnight and that was a mistake.  I could not sleep at all.  Looked at the clock every hour and finally got up at 6:30 am and worked out with “bands” in my room.   Thought about going to the gym but it was 12 degrees outside and I decided against that walk.

We departed Rodriguez Range at 9 am for the 45 minute drive.  We were scheduled to watch “live fire” but learned upon arriving that there were only 40 Marines left on base out of the 1,500 serving there.  They serve a 3 month rotation and the Marines that are there now are from Okinawa.   None of their equipment was available so instead we were scheduled to tour the base.  USFK lifted the curfew on everyone serving in the ROK just a few days before our arrival.  That meant everyone who didn’t absolutely HAVE to be there went into Seoul or flew to Japan, Okinawa, or one of the other countries that is close by to party for NYE.

The Installation Coordinator told us that the 40 Marines left there would not have a NYE celebration but would be over at the Food Court where we were heading next.  I told him if they wanted a performance there, we’d be happy to accommodate.  When we got to the food court, no one was there but they soon started coming in and not looking very happy!  Someone had woke them up and told them they “had” to come to the food court to meet the group.   I was absolutely horrified and we apologized profusely.  Dave did about 10 minutes of stand up for them and then we took questions from those attending.  Afterwards, we went over to where they are lodged.  OMG, my heart was breaking for them.  There are 43 people in ONE room with bunk beds.  It is just crammed with bunks and the bunks are all covered with their personal duffle bags, weapons, etc.  They actually have to sleep with the items on the bed with them because not everything will fit underneath the bunks.  Their toilets and showers are latrines that they have to walk to.  There are only a few females here but they have similar living conditions. And, they don’t complain!  They are Marines.  I’d be like, ummm, I think there has been a mistake and I need to go home.  God Bless them for their service and hardships.

I did meet one young female from Mobile, Alabama and it was fun to talk to her.  We stopped by a tank on the way out and took some photos and then returned to Camp Casey for lunch at the country club.  Jordan and I went to the venue at Camp Hovey to set up for the show and everyone else had “nap” time.  When we got to the venue, the stage was in the wrong location so we spent quite a while reconfiguring the room.  The comedians arrived at 3:15 for “mic” check and we finished up and were back at lodging before 4:30 pm.  Camp Hovey is only a 15 minute driver from Camp Casey and you never have to leave the bases when driving between the two.

We had to go back to the venue at 6:15 pm and were happy to see that the room was quickly filing up.  We had a very full house by the time it was time for them to begin the performance.  It was a great audience which made for  a really fun and funny show.  Had some great guys come up for audience participation.  Afterwards they took photos with everyone and we passed out all the t-shirts to people attending.  We ate dinner at the venue The Triangle Club and then drove back to lodging.  Everyone was too tired and jet-lagged to stay up until midnight!  We decided we will celebrate tomorrow when it is midnight in NYC – which will be 2 pm for us.  We leave for Kunsan and the Wolf Pack at 10 am tomorrow and should arrive at around 2 pm.

Happy New Year!

Jude

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!  Traveling from Camp. Casey to Kunsan Air Base on Wednesday, January 1st, 2020!!!

Did not get a lot of sleep last night because of text messages coming in from the States. Zac and Zoe messaged me at 5:30 am so I got up and called them.  They were driving home from their Dad’s house.

Since I got up so early, had plenty of time to go to the fitness center before our 10 am lobby call.  Only it is closed today as is everything else.  Not even anywhere for the guys to eat a real breakfast. Thankfully the little breakfast bar in the lobby was open!

It started snowing at 8 am but didn’t last long. Was really pretty while it lasted. We departed at 10 am for the 3 ½ hour drive.  Made one stop at around 11:00 am at a really nice rest stop – probably the nicest I have ever seen in Korea.  I had tempura udon and it was good, just not as good as what I get in Japan.  I’m sure the Korean dishes would have been better.  We arrived at Kunsan AB around 2:30 and were met at Wolf Pack Lodge at by Sgt. Farley, Herc (LTC Hanson),  and Wolf 2.  The Wolf is in Korea with his family and we’ll miss him this visit.

Several of the group went to the base exchange but I think they only thing they bought was some dental floss!  I stayed behind and worked.  We had several hours of “down” time which was nice.  Everyone met in the lobby to go to the Wolf Café for dinner …  about the only place open on base on January 1st.   Food was good and we enjoyed our “New Year’s Day” fellowship.  We were back at lodging by 8:30 pm and visited in the lobby for a while.

Kunsan and the Wolf Pack is my favorite base.  Every “Wolf” that I have met on these tours since 1999 has gone on to become a 1, 2, 3, or 4 Star General.   The Wolf Pack Lodge is a beautiful facility and we’re lucky to be here for the next two nights.

Some of the group is going to breakfast at 8 am tomorrow but there is a small workout room in lodging and I’m going to try to get in a good workout.  Lobby call is 10:45 or an EOD Unit Visit.

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!

Jude

 

THURSDAY, JANUARY 2, 2020 – PERFORMANCE AT KUNSAN AIR BASE, SOUTH KOREA:

Got a “full” night’s sleep and a great cardio workout on the Elliptical machine in the little fitness room located on the first floor of the Wolf Pack Lodge.

Lobby call was 10:45 am for a visit to the EOD Unit.  There were only 5 guys there and this was their last day off for the holidays.  We were so appreciative that they took the time to give us a “briefing” and spend time with us.   It was a great visit and so informative.  Jordan Black and Ben Warheit “suited up” in their bomb suit and Dave used the “robot” to pick up a cup of coffee.   When the other guys come back to base, there will be a total of 17 guys.  We left t-shirts, coins, and autographed photos for everyone.

Next on the agenda was lunch at the bowling center.  The food there is excellent!   We placed our orders and then the group decided to bowl while they waited.  That’s when we learned that Sgt. Farley (Nate – our escort) is a professional bowler.  He won his first tournament when he was 5 years old.  He gave the group some great tips!

After the meal, Jordan Bross and I went to the Loring Club to set up for the show and left everyone else to bowl some more.  The venue was set up and ready for Jordan so he was able to get ready much earlier for the others to come over for mic check.  Only took them a few minutes for mic check and we went back to lodging for a couple of hours before going to the venue.

The F-16’s are flying today and it’s such a familiar sound but have to admit, it reminds me of Iraq where that sound was a constant at Balad Air Base.  Dinner tonight was across the street at the Grill & Some Restaurant where we have eaten when we were here previously.  It is always great food.  The show is at the Loring Club.  Wolf II and Falcon and Herc were all there as were our EOD guys from earlier today.  It was a great crowd and our largest on the tour so far.   It was also the best show of the tour up to this point.

The group took photos with everyone afterwards and hung around for a while to talk to everyone.  We were back at lodging by around 11 am and I’m trying to finalize this and get packed for an 8:45 am lobby call. We have a 2 ½ hour bus ride to Osan AB and a performance there tomorrow night.

I love visiting this base and am looking forward to coming back in March with Rita Wilson and Kristian Bush for a “singer/songwriter” tour!

Jude