THANK YOU BOB HOPE for all of our memories. Especially mine.

The deep recesses of my heart. ^ | July 28, 2003 | Carlo3b, a sad and star struck FReeper

[Exit148]

A wonderful story, Carlo!!

The so-called 'stars' now, have a lot to learn. Here was a man, a giant of a man, who "walked with kings, but never lost the common touch" (courtesy of Shakespeare).

No one will reach his height. I'm glad you were a witness to it!

[Denis1944]

Great story Carlo. I too had the PRIVILEGE of meeting Mr. Hope in person. It was 1966, Bien Hoa, Vietnam and it was one of my happiest days. We needed that show, that day! What a wonderful, carring, giving human being. If anyone deserves to be buried in Arlington, it is Bob Hope. I have no doubt that he is now putting on a show in Heaven for all those troops who have passed on.
Denis Crowther

[Exit148]

"He could be a little racy but it was always in good taste------"

So true! His comments titillated the troops at a time when they needed the humor. Were it done now, it would be denounced.

Imagine -- a Hollywood marriage that long!! The man had values and many in that venue could learn from him.

God bless Bob Hope. He will live forever!

[carlo3b]

...there's a heck of a reunion going on up in Heaven right now!

No doubt a barrel of laughs!! Those one liners were a riot ..LOL

[carlo3b]

How lucky you were to meet the man!

There are thousands of folks just like me, that had wonderful stories as well, I am lucky enough to get to share my story with great folks like you. Thanks

[Fawnn]

Thank you for the post, Carlo. I had the honor of seeing Mr. Hope in person on several occasions.

(ohioWfan: Did you attend the '69-early 70s-era Ohio State Fair Grand Stand Shows? During the Gov. Rhodes era. I saw Mr. Hope several times at that fair, always managing to get a seat close to the stage!)

I posted this on another thread earlier; I hope no one minds that I repeat it:

Probably Bob Hope's most classic line is about "...it's Oscar night; of course, at our house we call it 'Passover.'"

But I love this one I heard [early this morning] on Fox News:

"If I had my life to live over again, I wouldn't have time!" --Bob Hope

Thanks for the memories, Bob!

[carlo3b]

I saw Bob Hope once in person on board the USS Forrestal in the Bay of Naples, about 1959

SIT DOWN, that plane load of Hollywood beauties were on there way to entertain the troops in Italy, next stop.. I know because we joked that we were willing to go along and teach the girls how to speak some Italian... LOLOL Rolling eyes...
You don't think? I'd love to believe it is that small a world.. Thank you for the memory, as well as your service.

[carlo3b]

I forgot to say, it was in the early fall, maybe Sept. of '59... HA! Say it was the same plane.. !!!!

[carlo3b]

Our prayers are with the family, but Bob is doing his best act for Him.

..and I'll bet He is in stitches... ;)

[carlo3b]

Bumping Bob's Birthday Thread!

What a great tribute that thread is.. thanks Linda for reminding me and for the link.

[Miss Marple]

carlo, thank you so much for posting this vanity. And thanks to leatherneck for contributing his story as well.

Bob Hope was a friend of the troops, and of this country. God bless him and speed him to his place in heaven.

[stanz]

Bob Hope was a gentleman and a patriot. You are lucky to have had that moment in time. I know you cherish it.

[tet68]

Carlos, I too have a Bob hope story although it happend to
my mother.

She was waiting at the Atlanta Airport for me to come in from my first tour of Vietnam. As plane after plane from LA landed and I wasn't on them she became more and more distressed. In a group of passengers from LA was Bob Hope,
seeing my mom is some distress, he asked what was the matter? She explained that she was waiting for her son to come home from Vietnam. He put his arm around her,gave her a hug, told her, "Mom, don't worry, it will be alright".
then went on his way.
What a guy.
I saw him in Vietnam, the jokes were cheezy, the chicks were
great looking but unreachable, but we ate it up, because
he CAME TO US.

[arasina]

Beautifully written memory, Carlo! I posted on another thread today that Bob Hope had a special talent for making his audience feel as if HE knew THEM. Little did I know that for a fellow FReeper it was true, and several times over! Thanks for sharing this; your "vanity" is much appreciated and a nice tribute to Mr. Hope.

[AnAmericanMother]

Bob Hope was the best! I remember laughing at the "Road" movies - so silly, such good-hearted fun.

BTW, "or walk with kings, nor lose the common touch" is Kipling, not Shakespeare. But Kipling would be flattered.

"IF"

If you can keep your head when all about you
Are losing theirs and blaming it on you;
If you can trust yourself when all men doubt you,
But make allowance for their doubting too:
If you can wait and not be tired by waiting,
Or, being lied about, don't deal in lies,
Or being hated don't give way to hating,
And yet don't look too good, nor talk too wise;

If you can dream--and not make dreams your master;
If you can think--and not make thoughts your aim,
If you can meet with Triumph and Disaster
And treat those two impostors just the same:
If you can bear to hear the truth you've spoken
Twisted by knaves to make a trap for fools,
Or watch the things you gave your life to, broken,
And stoop and build'em up with worn-out tools;

If you can make one heap of all your winnings
And risk it on one turn of pitch-and-toss,
And lose, and start again at your beginnings,
And never breathe a word about your loss:
If you can force your heart and nerve and sinew
To serve your turn long after they are gone,
And so hold on when there is nothing in you
Except the Will which says to them: "Hold on!"

If you can talk with crowds and keep your virtue,
Or walk with Kings--nor lose the common touch,
If neither foes nor loving friends can hurt you,
If all men count with you, but none too much:
If you can fill the unforgiving minute
With sixty seconds' worth of distance run,
Yours is the Earth and everything that's in it,
And--which is more--you'll be a Man, my son!

- from "Brother Squaretoes", Rewards and Fairies

[hoosiermama]

Never apologize for sharing such a treasury of special moments. "Thanks for Your memories"! This will be one long greiving/sharing time for all of America. He was so very special.

[dennisw]

stellar !!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[dennisw]

Bob Hope didn't have a mean bone in his body and was still frisky and able to put some lite raunch into his Vietman shows

[dennisw]

BTTTT PROPS to Mom! And Bob!

[Flyer]

"don't tell me, you were the young boy that won the art contest in Chicago".

Amazing!

Four great stories. Thanks for sharing them, Carlo.