Navy spouse wins nationwide comedy contest

The Golden Ticket was magical for a second finalist in the nationwide Operation Heal*arious search for America’s funniest veteran or military spouse.

Sean Flanagan, a Navy spouse from Nashville, Tenn., won the second championship on Nov. 9 in Las Vegas. A week earlier, Geoff Grooms, a Navy cyber officer, was victorious in the other final round in Los Angeles.

Twelve comedians, split into six for each final round, were selected from preliminary rounds, which began in April in Ohio. Ten won earlier competitions while just Grooms and Flanagan received Golden Tickets.

Before going on stage at the Military Influencers Conference, Flanagan was told the other winner also advanced with a Golden Ticket. Would lightning strike twice?

“I did not know that. But I love to hear it! I think so. I’m really excited to be in front of this room because the Military Influencers Conference audience seems like it will be really receptive. I’m hoping I can pull it out.”

A panel of judges declared Flanagan the winner, bringing the year-long competition to a close.

Retired Army Lt. Col. Robin Phoenix Johnson is the founder of Best Medicine Brigade and executive producer of its nonprofit for healing through humor, Operation Heal*arious. For longtime American Legion member Johnson, it’s a labor of love.

“I’m really ready for a vacation,” she said. “Best Medicine Brigade is really starting to take off. We have over 50 comedians. And next year, we will not just tour the U.S. but go overseas as well. We’re here to stay. And Best Medicine Brigade is ready to party.”

Throughout the competition, The American Legion’s Be the One mission was highlighted on stage in front of thousands of veterans, servicemembers and their families.

“The Be the One mission is very near and dear to my heart,” Johnson said. “One of the reasons I started Best Medicine Brigade is because I lost a really good friend of mine to suicide. I love that the Legion is taking action and doing something about it. Not just talking about the problem.”

Johnson intentionally opened the contest up to veterans, servicemembers and their spouses.

“It’s really exciting that this competition is for military spouses,” Flanagan said before the July 15 semifinal round at American Legion Alamo Post 2 in San Antonio where he was awarded a Golden Ticket. “My husband and I have been together for eight years.”

While living in New York City, he took a comedy workshop, and has continued on that path. He describes his brand of comedy as a “fish out of water.”

On stage, Flanagan is able to be his true self.

“It’s so important,” he said. “When my husband joined the military it was still under Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell. It’s been a sea change of progress until now. I’m so proud that he gets to serve openly and I get to be alongside him during that service. But we still have so far to go to get broader societal acceptance. If getting up here and making people laugh can even be a small part of that story, I’ll be really proud.”

His set revolved around his sexuality. Among the jokes:

• “I love being married, mostly because he has Tricare.”

• During a recent show, a woman said she had been married to her husband for 10 years. What’s the secret for being married so long to someone in the military, he asked.

“She yelled out, ‘Letting him sleep with other women,’” Flanagan recalled. “I don’t think my husband wants that offer.”