|
The Hollywood crowd and all other anti-war demonstrators
could take a lesson from this.............the troops
greatly need our support.
Ann Margaret
Viet Nam
1966
Richard, (my husband), never really talked a lot about
his time in
Viet Nam other than he had been shot by a sniper.
However, he had a rather grainy, 8 x 10 black and white
photo he had taken at a USO show of Ann Margaret with
Bob Hope in the background that was one of his
treasures.
A few years ago, Ann
Margaret was doing a book signing at a local bookstore.
Richard wanted to see if he could get her to sign the
treasured photo so he arrived at the bookstore at
12 o'clock for the 7:30 signing.
When I got there
after work, the line went all the way around the
bookstore, circled the parking lot and disappeared
behind a parking garage. Before her appearance,
bookstore employees announced that she would sign only
her book and no memorabilia would be permitted.
Richard was
disappointed, but wanted to show her the photo and let
her know how much those shows meant to lonely GI's so
far from home. Ann Margaret came out looking as
beautiful as ever and, as second in line, it was soon
Richard's turn.
He presented the book
for her signature and then took out the photo. When he
did, there were many shouts from the employees that she
would not sign it. Richard said, "I understand. I just
wanted her to see it."
She took one look at the photo, tears welled up in her
eyes and she said, "This is one of my gentlemen from
Viet Nam and I most certainly will sign his photo. I
know what these men did for their country and I always
have time for 'my gentlemen.'"
With that, she pulled
Richard across the table and planted a big kiss on him.
She then made quite a to-do about the bravery of the
young men she met over the years, how much she admired
them, and how much she appreciated them. There weren't
too many dry eyes among those close enough to hear. She
then posed for pictures and acted as if he was the only
one there.
Later at dinner,
Richard was very quiet. When I asked if he'd like to
talk about it, my big strong husband broke down in
tears. "That's the first time anyone ever thanked me
for my time in the Army," he said.
That night was a
turning point for him. He walked a little straighter
and, for the first time in years, was proud to have been
a Vet. I'll never forget Ann Margaret for her
graciousness and how much that small act of kindness
meant to my husband.
|
I am
sorry to say I do not have Richard's family name
to show here, but I received this by e-mail, and
do not know it. |
|
|
|
Dear GOD,
Please comfort and keep my daddy safe,
and bring him home to us soon. We love him
so, and we need him, mommy cries all the
time, please GOD. |
|
|
|
I tip
my hat to not only Ann Margaret, but to all the
entertainers who have faced unknown dangers and so
graciously given of themselves to leave the
comforts of home, and go to hostile areas to
spread a little cheer among our Military personnel
on foreign soils. But particularly to Ann
Margaret, because she seems to have really meant
more respect than simply entertainment. My sincere
thanks Ann, and to all our military, including the
ones on home soil, with out which our troops
engaged in battle could not function.
Texas Bob |
|
 |
"I pledge allegiance to
the Flag,
of the United States of America
and to the Republic for which it stands,
One Nation under God
Indivisible, with Liberty and Justice for All."
|
LIKE
TO JOIN OUR FREE MAILING LIST, CLICK ON THE HEART BELOW
|
|
I would love to hear your comments on the pages we
prepare and recommend, we enjoy doing it for your
pleasure, our pleasure is receiving your comments. |
|
Page
design By: Texas Bob |
|
|
 |
|
Visitors
to the site since 7-12-03 |
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
