Posted on 10/14/2004 2:08:45 PM PDT by SERKIT
Ernest Borgnine Returns to DC to Receive Navy Honor
WASHINGTON, Oct. 13 /PRNewswire/ -- Academy Award-winning actor, Ernest Borgnine, is making his way back to the nation's capital this week to revisit friends and shipmates -- and to show one of his latest films -- at the U.S. Navy Memorial and with The United States Navy Band.
(Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20030516/DCF023LOGO )
On Saturday, Borgnine, a World War II Sailor, will serve as master of ceremonies of the October 16, United States Navy Band concert at DAR Constitution Hall in Washington, D.C. The band is celebrating the 229th anniversary of the United States Navy.
Borgnine enlisted in the Navy in 1935, serving on destroyers and submarine chasers. During World War II, he served at sea in the Pacific Theater. Throughout his 10 years in the Navy, Borgnine rose to the rank of gunner's mate 1st Class, but Ernie says he always wanted to "make chief."
As a special surprise, just prior to the concert, Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy Terry Scott will present Borgnine with an "honorary promotion" to chief petty officer.
"Mr. Borgnine is without a doubt, one of our nation's greatest treasures," said Scott. "Throughout his life he has been a strong supporter of the U.S. Navy and our Sailors. His service to our Navy and our nation have been immeasurable. I am honored to have this opportunity to welcome him into the Navy's chiefs mess."
At 87 Borgnine is still going strong. Best known for his role as Lt. Cmdr. Quinton McHale in the 1960s television series, "McHale's Navy," Borgnine has played in many other major movies, television and theater productions. He won an Oscar for his dramatic role as a butcher in the 1955 movie, "Marty." He also starred in classics like, "From Here to Eternity," and "The Catered Affair" with Bette Davis.
Most recently, Borgnine played the commissioner's father in the television series, "The District." And in one of his lighter roles, he is the voice of the character, "Mermaid Man," on the Nickelodeon cartoon "SpongeBob SquarePants."
Borgnine's newest movie -- a western -- is "The Trail to Hope Rose." The film is a Hallmark Channel Original movie, which premiered Saturday, July 3. 2004. Borgnine stars with Lee Majors, Lou Diamond Phillips and Marina Black. The movie will be shown this Sunday, October 17, in the U.S. Navy Memorial's Theater. Borgnine will meet with guests of the Navy Memorial at the movie's showing, which begins at 3:30 p.m.
Borgnine will be available to media beginning at 4 p.m. Sunday.
For more information, call Tami Faram, U.S. Navy Memorial Foundation Public Relations Director at (202)-380-0718.
The United States Navy Memorial Foundation is located on 7th and Pennsylvania Ave., N.W. Washington, D.C. The Navy Memorial's Arleigh and Roberta Burke Theater is located in the Naval Heritage Center, which is adjacent to the Navy Memorial. The Navy Memorial is located at the Archives/Navy Memorial METRO stop on the yellow and green lines.
CONTACT: Tami Faram
Director, Public Relations
(202) 380-0718, tami@lonesailor.org.
SOURCE U.S. Navy Memorial Foundation
CO: U.S. Navy Memorial Foundation
ST: District of Columbia
SU: MAV
Web site: http://www.lonesailor.org
http://www.prnewswire.com
10/13/2004 11:47 EDT
Ain't a surprise any longer.
I loved Tim Conway in that show.
'EEEEVILLLLLL!!!'
McHale's Navy was a great show. Loved it when I was a kid.
I liked Fuji. But he's politically incorrect now.
Read later.
My favorite was "Gruber" the scrounger/wheelerdealer.
Why in the hell doesn't Hollywood make shows like that anymore? I'm sick of the crap they try to tell us we want.
In both the Pacific and European theaters, no less!
Does this make McHale a more decorated sailor than John Francois Kerry?
What a great honor for Earnest! I love Earnest Borgnine...he always reminded me of my father (now deceased) with that twinkle in his eye and that grin. Dad was in the Navy too, served in the Korean War on a PT Boat. Geez...I miss him so.
I thought that voice sounded familiar.
Yes, I watch it with my grand son.
I liked Fuji. But he's politically incorrect now.
I remember one episode when Fuji gave the password Blue Leader..Brue Reader....Brue Reader..
Ditto.
Carl Ballantine - one of my favorites!
He started in vaudville as a magician who couldn't pull ANYTHING out of his hat. It was a riot.
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