Bill Cosby Honors Reservist During Performance



Bill Cosby Honors Reservist During Performance

Bill Cosby Honors Reservist During Performance

From Journalist 1st Class (SW/AW) Rob Kerns, Commander, Naval Reserve Force Public Affairs

May 19, 2005

Bill Cosby Honors Reservist During Performance

Story Number: NNS050519-03

Release Date: 5/19/2005 11:20:00 AM

From Journalist 1st Class (SW/AW) Rob Kerns, Commander, Naval Reserve Force Public Affairs

RALEIGH, N.C. (NNS) -- Former Hospital Corpsman 3rd Class-turned-actor/comedian Bill Cosby took time to honor a local Navy Reservist for her service during his stand-up performance May 15 in Raleigh, N.C.

Navy Counselor 1st Class Lauren R. Fyfe contacted Cosby's management when she found out he was going to be performing in her hometown while she was on leave. All Fyfe said she was hoping for was the opportunity to have Cosby pose in a picture with her holding an American flag she owned.

"The flag has been with me everywhere I go in the Navy," said Fyfe. "Once, I even got a picture with Secretary of Defense [Donald] Rumsfeld and me holding the flag."

According to Fyfe, Cosby was impressed with her knowledge of his career in the Navy and her knowledge of him being a hospital corpsman, as well as playing on the Navy's basketball and football team.

After meeting with Cosby backstage, Fyfe thought her meeting with Cosby was over. That, however, was not the case.

After changing for his performance, Cosby told Fyfe to follow him out onto the stage.

"I was shocked," said Fyfe. "I have spoken in front of large groups before, but this was completely scary. Cool, but scary."

Cosby then introduced Fyfe to the thousands in attendance and began to ask her about her Navy service and the Navy's role in the war on terrorism.

"When I kept answering his questions with 'sir,' he told me to go easy on the 'sir.' I tried to explain it was a 'respect your elders' thing, and then he told me to be careful with that," she said.

After thanking her for her service and asking Fyfe's mother in attendance in the audience if she had gotten enough pictures, Cosby led the audience in a round of applause for Fyfe.

Later in the performance, Cosby asked the audience to join him in three moments of silence for those serving overseas and those who will not be returning and for the family members of those service members.

Cosby served in the U.S. Navy from 1956 to 1961. During his service, he was stationed at Naval Hospital Bethesda, Md., Naval Hospital Philadelphia, Pa., and played for the Quantico Marine football team and the Naval Hospital Bethesda basketball team.

For related news, visit the Commander, Naval Reserve Force Navy NewsStand page at www.news.navy.mil/local/nrf/.