Monday, December 18, 2000

Story and photos
By Adam Ramirez
Stars and Stripes

Secretary of Defense William Cohen and his wife, Janet, address the crowd at Ramstein Hangar 3 on Sunday before entertainers like Jewel and Terry Bradshaw take the stage

RAMSTEIN AIR BASE, Germany — Comedian Al Franken walked out on stage with a huge yellow postal bag of "returned absentee ballots" Sunday during his stage time at the Secretary of Defense’s holiday tour.

"I have a lot of returned military ballots to return here … like this one was returned for using a No. 3 pencil," Franken joked.

Franken made the 2,500 people on hand laugh and singers like Jewel had them singing along at the two-hour show in Hangar Three of the air base.

Secretary of Defense William S. Cohen said Sunday the group wasn’t initially planning to perform in Germany on their way to the Balkans.

"Today was supposed to be a day off for the tour but we decided any time we are in Ramstein we want to come in and see you guys," Cohen said. "While Janet and I are leaving the Pentagon, we are not leaving you. You are the ones that keep us free and we will continue to work for you."

Jewel performs Sunday at Ramstein.

Jewel sang a new, not-yet-released song and her hit Who Will Save Your Soul, to the enjoyment of the crowd.

"I love traveling with Secretary Cohen, in the nice big plane — it beats commercial," she said.

Senator and astronaut John Glenn received a huge ovation from the crowd.

"Wave those American flags — it’s great to see you all out here," he said.

Pro football Hall of Famers Terry Bradshaw and Mike Singletary threw footballs into the crowd and thanked servicemembers for their dedication.

Among the other people to address the crowd Sunday were Chicago Cubs baseball Hall of Famer Ernie Banks, film director Jerry Bruckheimer, Medal of Honor recipients Sammy Davis and Alfred Rascone, MTV veejay Ananda Lewis, the Dallas Cowboy Cheerleaders and singers Carole King, Ruth Pointer-Sayles, Shane Minor and Jon Carroll.

Franken made a point to riff on both presidential candidates on stage and the comic potential to come from President-elect Bush back stage.

"Bush was quoted in South Carolina as saying ‘Rarely is the question asked: Is our children learning?’ And I think he’s right, I’ve never heard that question asked before," Franken said.

Franken also came with a new military strategy, which he proposed to the troops.

Comedian Al Franken gives his views on the election Sunday at ramstein.

"Instead of sending our young people, in the primes of their lives, into the front lines — what if we sent our elderly? They have only a few more years to go, they wouldn’t have as much to lose," he said. "Imagine you’re the enemy and you see wave after wave of elderly coming at you. They’d be coming slowly, but they’d be coming eventually."

Franken also said he’s worried for Vice President-elect Dick Cheney’s health.

"I’m really worried that if Cheney has another heart attack and dies, legally Bush will become our president," Franken said. "Bush is a lot easier to make fun of — he does not exactly have a lot of intellectual curiosity."

For those who spent their Sunday at the show, many had specific stars they wanted to see.

"I’m a Pittsburgh Steelers fan from way back so I hope to get Terry Bradshaw’s autograph," said Air Force Tech Sgt. Bryon Beers. "I think if they’re willing to fly all this way to see us, I can drive a few miles to watch them. I think it’s great."

Two shows remain on the tour. Monday, the group will entertain at Camp Bondsteel, Kosovo and on Tuesday it will be at Tuzla, Bosnia.

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