Ann Margaret and her Gentlemen
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, 8x10 black &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
2nd in line, it was soon Richard's turn. He presented the
book for her signature and then took out the photo with many
shouts from 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.
Richard, like many others, came home to people who spit on
him and shouted ugly things at him. 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 now make it a point to say 'Thank You' to every person
that I come across who served in our Armed Forces. Freedom
does not come cheap, and I am grateful for all those men and
women who have served their country.
If you'd like to pass on this story feel free to do so.
Perhaps it will help others to become aware of how important
it is to acknowledge the contribution our service men and
women make.
It would be nice if this gets around to Jane Fonda, Sean
Penn, Alec Baldwin, Barbara Streisand, Ed Asner and the rest
of Hollywood's far Leftist elite who presume to force their
beliefs on all the rest of the country.
Ray Lau LAUOHANA@aol.com