Article

2007-11-12

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Posted by Steve White 2007-11-12 00:00|| || Front Page|| [6 views ] Top

#1 The poet is apparently an ex-Democrat - the best kind.

Posted by Bobby 2007-11-12 06:23|| 2007-11-12 06:23|| Front Page Top

#2 I was sent this story about Ann Margaret and the Viet Nam Vet. Enjoy.

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 Margret with Bob Hope in the background that was one of his
treasures.

A few years ago, Ann Margret 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
Margret 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 were
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
Margret 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 I come across who served in our Armed Forces.

Posted by Mark Z">Mark Z 2007-11-12 07:57|| 2007-11-12 07:57|| Front Page Top

#3 Mark Z.: true story. Classy lady and a true star. Thank you to all our veterans!

Posted by Frank G">Frank G 2007-11-12 10:47|| 2007-11-12 10:47|| Front Page Top

#4 We had our Veteran's Muster at our club on Friday. Over 60 of our members gave up a day of golf or tennis to join in the festivities. Our local Marine Corp League presented the colors. The guard included two WW2 vets - one from Iwo Jima. Another of the guys survived the Indianapolis sinking. Talk about your ration of the greatest generation. Last year was our first muster. There we had not only a gentlemen (who has since moved into assisted living) who was on a Japanese "Ghost Ship" but also an ex-Major in the British Army who had liberated a small village in Italy from which another one of our members was a resident at the time - talk about a small world. We even had a guy from Air America and a former Dutch Army vet. Our group includes 3 ex-Army, Air Force and Navy nurses. Very eclectric. I only wish we had a more focused tradition of selling poppies like the British Legion has. By the way, we had a Marine Corp birthday cake. The oldest Marine cut it using the youngest jarheads sword. Age difference 25 years. 85 and 60.

Posted by Jack is Back!">Jack is Back! 2007-11-12 15:47|| 2007-11-12 15:47|| Front Page Top

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