Posted on 05/16/2019 4:08:06 PM PDT by Kaslin
Gene Simmons, the lead singer of the iconic rock band KISS, made a surprise appearance at the Pentagon on Thursday to share his appreciation for the military and to share a rather personal story.
Gene Simmons, the lead singer of the iconic rock band KISS, made a surprise appearance at the Pentagon on Thursday to share his appreciation for the military and to share a rather personal story.
@genesimmons graciously came to the Pentagon press room today to shake hands and say thank you to troops. He spoke about the values his mother instilled in him about America. So in the last year, the leader of @KISSOnline and @GerardButler.....who else should show up soon...... pic.twitter.com/pmU4562Wad— Barbara Starr (@barbarastarrcnn) May 16, 2019
After greeting service men and women, Simmons, an Israeli-born musician, choked up speaking about his late mother, who was placed in a Nazi concentration camp at the age of 14. He said when he was just a boy, his mom would always cry any time she saw the American flag. He didn't understand it as an 8-year-old, but he feels the impact now.
Instead of a more “rock on”-type vibe, Simmons choked back tears as he told the room how his mother was 14 when she was put in a Nazi concentration camp, survived, gave birth to him in Israel and came to America.— Tara Copp (@TaraCopp) May 16, 2019
"I may have been born in the country that people throughout history have referred to as the Promised Land, but take my word for it, America is the Promised Land for everybody," Simmons said. "Don’t be ashamed, don’t hesitate. We need to teach young people to be comfortable saying God Bless America.”
Simmons returned to his birth country back in 2011, where he insisted that anyone who shuns or boycotts Israel is an "idiot."
"As an American, there’s no choice but to be supportive of Israel,” the rocker said.
Wow. Bravo!
He’s Amazing, as was his mom. I recall that he cried like a baby when she passed away recently.
Gene has not smoked, drank alcohol or done drugs in all of his standard life, just like President Trump (and Paul Stanley, I think). That’s willpower and totally commendable.
God Bless You, Gene!
Rumor also has it that he never had a personal computer when he was a kid. :P
Good for Gene, though. Nice to see someone supporting the troops.
Bravo Gene.
It’s wonderful that a famous and presumably rich celebrity shows up to express sincere appreciation for the United States.
But I still can’t take the whole KISS thing seriously.
I draw the line somewhere around Alice Cooper.
You’re right, Gene Simmons did not touch drugs. In fact one of the reasons for personnel changes in Kiss was due to problems with drug use by band members.
My personal favorite song of theirs was “Strutter”.
Kiss - Strutter (Lyrics on screen)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LZnSak2R85Y
i posted in a different thread on this topic- this is a MUST watch video!!!
Same with the Nuge.
I’ve heard the story before. He is completely sincere in his support for the USA and our military.
He credits the US Army with saving his mother’s life and, thus, giving him a chance to live.
F Her!
I didn’t serve 22 years in the military to let little biotches like her think she gets to decide who has Constitutional Rights or not.
If you’re so equal babe, big boys don’t cry. Big girls who want to be equal to boys shouldn’t either.
If you were a boy, you’d just be another pansie.
I know the station sign-off well..and it brings me to tears to this day.
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=6uGP74qRzSc
Hi Alas, did you mean to post that comment on this thread? Color me confused...
What the hell are you ranting about? You're either on drugs, or alcohol or the wrong thread............Sheesh
A Banana Computer might have made all the difference.
I read his book “On Power”. Fascinating book.
He said he never saw or knew of anything that was used once and then thrown away, not even toilet paper. He said they used old clothing cut into rags, used, washed, and reused. He never had a TV. His mom read him American children’s books but didn’t know english, so she made up stories that fit the illustrations.
The mind blowing thing was when they were at a US consulate in Tel Aviv getting ready to go to the USA, the man told her to raise her arm to take an oath. She popped straight out with a nazi salute. He says the American officer came around the table, and told her she would never have to raise her arm that way again. He straightened her arm into the proper position for swearing in and Gene said she burst into tears.
Great book, powerful story, highly recommend.
He said after all his mom went through, he couldn’t imagine breaking her hear by using dope.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.