{"id":1637,"date":"2023-08-09T19:11:51","date_gmt":"2023-08-09T19:11:51","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/usapress.info\/?p=1637"},"modified":"2023-08-09T19:11:51","modified_gmt":"2023-08-09T19:11:51","slug":"troops-turn-away-from-robin-williams-during-his-performance","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/usapress.info\/?p=1637","title":{"rendered":"Troops Turn Away From Robin Williams During His Performance"},"content":{"rendered":"

When Robin Williams was entertaining deployed service members, the troops suddenly stopped laughing and abruptly turned away right in the middle of his performance. However, when the legendary comedian realized what was happening, his reaction was priceless.<\/p>\n

Robin Williams was a gifted entertainer who was able to make all of us laugh. The Good Morning, Vietnam star also traveled abroad to entertain American troops. A great video clip of one of those performances shows us just how incredibly versatile the late comedian was and how he really loved his country.<\/p>\n

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Robin Williams in the 1987 film Good Morning Vietnam (Credit: YouTube)<\/p>\n

Williams was also a talented dramatic actor. While he was able to be serious, as in his roles in Dead Poet Society and Good Will Hunting, he will best be remembered for his comedy and stand-up routines. However, his serious side came out in 2004 when he traveled with the USO to Camp Arifjan in Kuwait.<\/p>\n

During his routine, the comedian told the troops that he recently had gotten out of rehab, \u201cI was violating my standards quicker than I could lower them,\u201d Williams told the laughing audience. But, what happened next really got his attention. The entire audience full of troops, went from laughing with him to suddenly turning their backs on Williams when music began to play.<\/p>\n

At first, Williams wasn\u2019t sure what was going on, but he took his cue from the troops who were all standing at attention while bugles played a tune. At that point, the Academy Award winner understood this was a display of patriotism, so he solemnly bowed his head, taking off his beanie. As the music faded, Williams was left facing a crowd of troops who are now in a serious mood.<\/p>\n

\"Robin<\/p>\n

Robin Williams won an Academy Award for his performance in the 1997 film Good Will Hunting with Matt Damon. (Credit: YouTube)<\/p>\n

However, Williams knew he was there to lighten the situation. The brilliant comedian quipped: \u201cI\u2019ve never had an entire audience just go, forget you!\u201d Williams then performed an about-face of his own to raucous laughter. Once the audience was all facing forwarded and engaged, he asked them what had happened. That\u2019s when Robin Williams learned about \u201cRetreat.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cRetreat\u201d is traditionally when the flag is lowered and secured. As this happens, military members take a moment to pay respect to the flag and what it represents. This special video shows what a tremendous improv performer Robin Williams was. He didn\u2019t immediately know why he was suddenly ignored, but he knew it was a solemn moment. After everyone faced him again, he also immediately changed up his comedy act to include what had just happened. This late great was clearly quick on his feet.<\/p>\n

Williams learned that \u201cRetreat\u201d signifies the end of the duty day and is a signal to pay respects. At the first sound of the retreat bugle call, all personnel outdoors should stop and face the flag, or when not visible, in the direction the music is played. And, that\u2019s exactly what he witnessed!<\/p>\n