Free Republic

Radio, TV and voiceover performer Gary Owens died on Feb. 12 at his home in the Encino neighborhood of Los Angeles. Owens, who was 80, had been a diabetic since the age of 8. Owens was probably best known as the announcer on NBC’s “Rowan and Martin’s Laugh-In” (1968-73), with his trademark hand-over-the-ear announcing style. On the show, John Wayne once imitated Owens announcing. The phrase Gary created on his KMPC radio show, “Beautiful downtown Burbank,” later became a nightly catchphrase on Johnny Carson’s “Tonight Show.” Owens also lent his voice to more than 3,000 cartoons, providing the voice of...

Staff Sgt. Charles Gilbert and Capt Dan Mark, both of Blackhawk Troop, 1-7 Cavalry, question a neighbor of a suspected mortar man Oct. 22. The troop did not uncover the mortar man, but 13 suspected insurgents were taken into custody by other troops within the squadron. Cpl. Bill Putnam Raid in southern Baghdad detains 13 insurgentsBy Cpl. Bill Putnam November 1, 2004 AL RASHID DISTRICT, Baghdad (Army News Service, Nov. 1, 2004) -- In a multi-target raid, cavalry troopers from 1st Squadron, 7th Cavalry Regiment, effectively dismantled an insurgent cell operating in Al Rashid's Furat neighborhood during the early...