WayneB
Elite Member
I am not sure how many of you served in the military, but I went in the Army back in 1967 and stayed in until 1976. I remember coming back to the states in 1970 and just before departing we were told we did not have to wear our Class A uniform due to all of the problems with hecklers coming when coming back into the states. Our plane landed at SEATAC and sure enough there were tons of people, mostly young yelling BABY KILLERS and other things at all of us. Just made me so proud to come home!
Anyway I spent a whole bunch of time not talking about my experiences or even mentioning that I was a VET until about five years ago when I got my first VET Plates for my car.
Below is an email I received yesterday and just thought I would pass it along to all the vets and to other people that are out there and just might care that someone served their country.
Wayne
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Ann Margret....
This is a good counter-balance story to the Jane Fonda,
"Vietnam Woman Of The Year," story.
Viet Nam 1966
Richard, (my husband), never really talked a lot about his time in Viet Nam , other than he had been shot by a sniper. However, he had a rather grainy, 8 x 10 black and white photo he had taken at a USO show of Ann Margret with Bob Hope in the background that was one of his treasures.
A few years ago, Ann Margret was doing a book signing at a local bookstore. Richard wanted to see if he could get her to sign the treasured photo so he arrived at the bookstore at 12 o'clock for the 7:30 signing.
When I got there after work, the line went all the way around the bookstore, circled the parking lot, and disappeared behind a parking garage. Before her appearance, bookstore employees announced that she would sign only her book and no memorabilia would be permitted.
Richard was disappointed, but wanted to show her the photo and let her know how much those shows meant to lonely GI's so far from home.. Ann Margret came out looking as beautiful as ever and, as second in line, it was soon Richard's turn.
He presented the book for her signature and then took out the photo. When he did, there were many shouts from the employees that she would not sign it. Richard said, "I understand. I just wanted her to see it."
She took one look at the photo, tears welled up in her eyes and she said, "This is one of my gentlemen from Viet Nam and I most certainly will sign his photo. I know what these men did for their country and I always have time for 'my gentlemen.''
With that, she pulled Richard across the table and planted a big kiss on him. She then made quite a to-do about the bravery of the young men she met over the years, how much she admired them, and how much she appreciated them. There weren't too many dry eyes among those close enough to hear. She then posed for pictures and acted as if he were the only one there.
Later at dinner, Richard was very quiet. When I asked if he'd like to talk about it, my big, strong husband broke down in tears.. ''That's the first time anyone ever thanked me for my time in the Army,'' he said.
That night was a turning point for him. He walked a little straighter and, for the first time in years, was proud to have been a Vet. I'll never forget Ann Margret for her graciousness and how much that small act of kindness meant to my husband.
I now make it a point to say 'Thank you' to every person I come across who served in our Armed Forces. Freedom does not come cheap and I am grateful for all those who have served their country.
If you'd like to pass on this story, feel free to do so. Perhaps it will help others to become aware of how important it is to acknowledge the contribution our service people make.
A True Patriot Will Pass This On. A Foreigner In This Country Might Not.
Don't be too busy today..
Share this inspiring message with friends and family.
On behalf of those who DO appreciate all that you did for us,
'THANK YOU!' to each of you who receive this message who have served
to protect our Freedom.
Anyway I spent a whole bunch of time not talking about my experiences or even mentioning that I was a VET until about five years ago when I got my first VET Plates for my car.
Below is an email I received yesterday and just thought I would pass it along to all the vets and to other people that are out there and just might care that someone served their country.
Wayne
********************************************************
Ann Margret....
This is a good counter-balance story to the Jane Fonda,
"Vietnam Woman Of The Year," story.
Viet Nam 1966
Richard, (my husband), never really talked a lot about his time in Viet Nam , other than he had been shot by a sniper. However, he had a rather grainy, 8 x 10 black and white photo he had taken at a USO show of Ann Margret with Bob Hope in the background that was one of his treasures.
A few years ago, Ann Margret was doing a book signing at a local bookstore. Richard wanted to see if he could get her to sign the treasured photo so he arrived at the bookstore at 12 o'clock for the 7:30 signing.
When I got there after work, the line went all the way around the bookstore, circled the parking lot, and disappeared behind a parking garage. Before her appearance, bookstore employees announced that she would sign only her book and no memorabilia would be permitted.
Richard was disappointed, but wanted to show her the photo and let her know how much those shows meant to lonely GI's so far from home.. Ann Margret came out looking as beautiful as ever and, as second in line, it was soon Richard's turn.
He presented the book for her signature and then took out the photo. When he did, there were many shouts from the employees that she would not sign it. Richard said, "I understand. I just wanted her to see it."
She took one look at the photo, tears welled up in her eyes and she said, "This is one of my gentlemen from Viet Nam and I most certainly will sign his photo. I know what these men did for their country and I always have time for 'my gentlemen.''
With that, she pulled Richard across the table and planted a big kiss on him. She then made quite a to-do about the bravery of the young men she met over the years, how much she admired them, and how much she appreciated them. There weren't too many dry eyes among those close enough to hear. She then posed for pictures and acted as if he were the only one there.
Later at dinner, Richard was very quiet. When I asked if he'd like to talk about it, my big, strong husband broke down in tears.. ''That's the first time anyone ever thanked me for my time in the Army,'' he said.
That night was a turning point for him. He walked a little straighter and, for the first time in years, was proud to have been a Vet. I'll never forget Ann Margret for her graciousness and how much that small act of kindness meant to my husband.
I now make it a point to say 'Thank you' to every person I come across who served in our Armed Forces. Freedom does not come cheap and I am grateful for all those who have served their country.
If you'd like to pass on this story, feel free to do so. Perhaps it will help others to become aware of how important it is to acknowledge the contribution our service people make.
A True Patriot Will Pass This On. A Foreigner In This Country Might Not.
Don't be too busy today..
Share this inspiring message with friends and family.
On behalf of those who DO appreciate all that you did for us,
'THANK YOU!' to each of you who receive this message who have served
to protect our Freedom.
Somehow we didn't notice that the flight deck was hard as a rock. That show lasted about two hours and it was cold outside, but warm in all our hearts. God bless Bob Hope and his memory.
