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1 posted on 07/28/2003 6:09:46 AM PDT by leadpenny
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To: leadpenny
I always loved his Christmas shows on TV.
231 posted on 07/28/2003 7:35:06 AM PDT by Betteboop
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To: leadpenny
My late mother -- also born and raised in Cleveland -- was in show business when Bob was starting out in the dance team of Hope and Durbin. She performed on the same playbill with Hope and his partner.

I would suspect that about now, Mom and Bob are arm in arm doing a little softshoe number down some heavenly golden street.

Thanks, Bob, for the memories...

233 posted on 07/28/2003 7:37:45 AM PDT by Dick Bachert
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To: leadpenny
God bless Bob Hope. Although I never had the opportunity to see Mr. Hope, I know that he holds a very special place in the hearts of all veterans especially those who did. His name was appropriate to those who made the ultimate sacrifice for their country. For hope and faith were all the rations we had sometimes. Thank you, Mr. Hope. Semper Fi
240 posted on 07/28/2003 7:45:37 AM PDT by kellynla ("C" 1/5 1st Mar Div Viet Nam '69 & '70 Semper Fi)
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To: leadpenny
Thanks for the memories Bob...
You will be missed

Liberty
247 posted on 07/28/2003 7:51:31 AM PDT by Liberty Valance (Keep a simple manner for a happy life :o)
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To: leadpenny
Thanks for the memories Bob, and please say hello to my mother, father and brother. You were at my brother's base camp in Cu Chi for Christmas '66. He missed your show because he was out on patrol. I know you will run into him up there.

Here's a link to a story about the '66 show I found on the internet:

Christmas at Cu Chi

249 posted on 07/28/2003 7:52:50 AM PDT by mass55th (i)
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To: leadpenny

Well said Mr. Nixon.

250 posted on 07/28/2003 7:52:57 AM PDT by bjs1779
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To: leadpenny
Thanks for the memories Mr.Hope and your dedication to our troops.
252 posted on 07/28/2003 7:54:05 AM PDT by Gucho
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To: leadpenny
Thanks for the memories, Bob.
257 posted on 07/28/2003 7:59:32 AM PDT by Liberal Classic (Quemadmoeum gladis nemeinum occidit, occidentis telum est.)
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To: leadpenny
R.I.P. Bob Hope
259 posted on 07/28/2003 8:06:11 AM PDT by Reagan Man
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To: leadpenny
Thanks Bob, for everything you did for the folks in uniform. We will never forget you.
261 posted on 07/28/2003 8:12:33 AM PDT by RetiredArmy (We'll put a boot in your ass, it's the American Way! Toby Keith)
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To: leadpenny
Jul. 28, 2003
Comedian Bob Hope dies at 100
By ASSOCIATED PRESS
LOS ANGELES, California


Bob Hope, ski-nosed master of the one-liner and favorite comedian of U.S. servicemen and presidents alike, has died, less than two months after turning 100.

Hope died late Sunday of pneumonia, his longtime publicist Ward Grant said Monday. Hope's family was at his bedside at his home in Toluca Lake, California.

The United States' most-honored comedian, a millionaire many times over, was a star in every category open to him - vaudeville, radio, television and film, most notably a string of "Road" movies with longtime friend Bing Crosby.

For decades, he took his show on the road to bases around the world, boosting the morale of servicemen from World War II to the Gulf War.

In the spring of 1941, when Bob Hope was invited to perform his radio show for airmen at March Field in Riverside, California, he was reluctant. He had never done the show outside a studio, and he wasn't sure how the servicemen would react to his humor.

When the comedian was hit by wave after wave of laughter and applause, he realized he had found a new audience. Thus began a 50-year journey that would take him from Iceland to South Africa, from Vietnam to the Gulf.

Hope was a master at tailoring his shows to the audience. He took along such screen sirens as Lana Turner, Jane Russell, Jayne Mansfield and Anita Ekberg as whistle bait. He had writers interview troops for the latest gossip about the food, the officers, the base—and then used the tidbits for his monologue.

In 1948, Air Secretary Stuart Symington asked Hope if he would entertain weary airmen flying the around-the-clock Berlin Air Lift. Hope flew to Berlin with a troupe that included Doris Day, Irving Berlin, then-Vice President Alben Barkley, Gen. Jimmy Doolittle, and his wife, singer Dolores Hope, who was tired of staying at home with the children at Christmas.

Hope's annual holiday show on NBC, which featured highlights of his military tour each season, became a highly rated tradition that lasted 22 years.

Hope has played before an estimated 10 million servicemen and women at 700 bases and hospitals. The road came to an end in 1990 when the 86-year-old Hope took Ann Jillian, Marie Osmond, the Pointer Sisters, Johnny Bench and Dolores Hope to Saudi Arabia to entertain the troops of Operation Desert Storm.

But even after Hope became too frail for road work, he had the soldiers come to him. Learning that many Gulf War troops were stationed at Twenty-nine Palms in the California desert, the Hopes invited them to their nearby Palm Springs home when the war was over for a Yellow Ribbon Party on Easter Sunday 1991.
262 posted on 07/28/2003 8:13:02 AM PDT by yonif
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To: leadpenny
I'm older than most of the guys (and gals) on this forum, so I have memories of Bob Hope that go back to his weekly half-hour radio program. The whole family would sit around a big old console radio and listen to each and every joke and comment. When he started making movies there was nothing short of a pilgrimage into town to see each one.

TV was still a novelty when I went into the service, though I guess he had a show on it then. But one of my most cherished memories is seeing his Korean show. I no longer remember the names of all the girls and musicians he brought along, but I'll always remember him swaggering out onto the stage with a golf club in his hand. His reputation preceded him of course, so we all expected to laugh-- and we did-- at stuff we'd ignore from any lesser star. He started out with a few one-liners about the war, politics and our living condidtions. Then he introduced some young girl, wearing next to nothing (at least it was 'next to nothing' for that time, nowadays she'd be overdressed.) The girl would sing or dance or maybe both. Then Jerry Colonna (sp?) came out and he and Bob exchanged jokes and insults while we howled.

More girls, more songs, more skits and LOTS more jokes. Eventually, the lights dimmed and a single spotlight skewered Bob at the microphone where he sang "Thanks For The Memories."

It's my turn now, but I can't sing. So I'll just say it:

Thanks Bob. Thanks For The Memories.

265 posted on 07/28/2003 8:16:44 AM PDT by oldfart (")
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To: leadpenny
Rancho Mirage must be sad today.
273 posted on 07/28/2003 8:34:30 AM PDT by MatthewViti
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To: leadpenny
I remember as a kid growing up in Jefferson County in the southeastern corner of Texas. There was a school there for crippled children. Every year on his birthday, Bob Hope would come into town and spend time with the crippled children, then host a birthday benefit for the school. He truly had a big heart.

From The Marines Hymn

"From the Halls of Montezuma .. to the shores of Tripoli, ............

Here's health to you and to Our Corps .. which we are proud to serve,
In many a strife we've fought for life .. and never lost our nerve.
If the Army and the Navy .. ever look on Heaven's scenes,
They will find the streets are guarded .. by United States Marines."

No doubt Chesty organized a massive honor guard to welcome Bob when he reached the gates of heaven.

275 posted on 07/28/2003 8:37:08 AM PDT by RedWhiteBlue
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To: leadpenny
Bob Hope visited Camp Eagle (101st HQ in VietNam) on Christmas morning 1969. What he did for the troops was awesome and to this day I still cry when I hear Silent Night. He was a great American and will be missed.
276 posted on 07/28/2003 8:39:55 AM PDT by RangerVetNam
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To: leadpenny
Bob Hope deserved every moment of those 100 years.

Sad news, but a joyous life. Can't think anything but good things today.

277 posted on 07/28/2003 8:41:55 AM PDT by The KG9 Kid
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To: leadpenny
A great man.

A great patriot.

A great life.

After visiting the royal family at Buckingham, he quipped "I felt like I'd walked into a live chess game."

He's just walked into a bigger venue, live.

279 posted on 07/28/2003 8:52:34 AM PDT by Scott from the Left Coast
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To: leadpenny
THANKS FOR THE MEMORIES.........sigh
280 posted on 07/28/2003 8:53:47 AM PDT by apackof2
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To: leadpenny
Farewell Mr. Hope, and thank you.
286 posted on 07/28/2003 9:05:12 AM PDT by najida (What handbasket? And where did you say we were going?)
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To: leadpenny
Bob Hope smiled at the world and the world smiled back.

Thanks for the memories, Bob. Rest In Peace and rest assured, you made a difference and will never be forgotten.
288 posted on 07/28/2003 9:07:57 AM PDT by JoeSixPack1 (POW/MIA - Bring 'em home, or send us back! Semper Fi)
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