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Hope, Memories, and The Fallen by David Bancroft
I hope most of the readers are of an age (not old) who at least can visualize the man, Bob Hope. Not for the fact that today (May 29th) happens to be his 100 birthday, but for what his 100 years means to the United States of America. Oh, it is so easy to lapse into forgetfulness for so many reasons … and I am just as guilty. It is not intentional, but time went by from days when his performances were a constant is my excuse for slipping into a fog about what Bob Hope "really" did for his fellow citizens . . . especially for the troops in wartime.
Watching the special on NBC this past Sunday brought all these wonderful memories of this entertainment icon flooding back, which were accompanied by smiles and loud laughs … even a few tears. It was two
hours of drifting back to an ageless talent who brought so much enjoyment to his audiences.
And nothing is more valuable than his morale boosting USO shows in front of all those troops, which he did for more than 50 years. In fact, the television special about Bob Hope mentioned one particular show that he gave as a last minute "unplanned" stop in the Pacific campaign during World War II. He was unconcerned about his welfare ... just wanting to bring some smiles and laughs to 16,000 Marines, who were to go into battle shortly. All were able to laugh and forget what lied ahead during this wonderful respite. Bob Hope's sadness was quite noticeable after all those years when he talked about the forty percent whose last enjoyable time was at his show.
This great American deserves our nation's respect and greatest honor when God decides to call him home. Lying in state in the Capital Building's Rotunda is my suggestion. It would be a most fitting way for a grateful nation to say, "Thanks for the memories!"
With that in mind, I also invite you to read my poem, Honoring The Fallen, in memory of those troops who met their final fate while keeping our country safe and free. (A pictorial is associated with it.) Happy Note: My son, the Marine, returned from Iraq a couple of days ago and is at Camp Pendleton. He should be separated (honorably discharged) by mid-July! Keeping fingers crossed for all other loved ones still waiting for the return of theirs!
David Bancroft
Editor-in-Chief
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