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Orange Blooded [3431]
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50 years without being home for Christmas
Dec 25, 2017, 8:57 AM
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All of us older folks will remember a man called Bob Hope. He spent his Christmas for 50 years (1941-1991 according to Wikipedia) overseas entertaining US servicemen. Many of the band members went for over 20 years or more.
As Joe and many others can tell you being overseas at Christmas is seldom the Merry Christmas of childhood dreams. Having a USO show with many stars (he always had some sexy women) made it a lot easier. In 1969 I was in Korat, Thailand and they did a show there. Neil Armstrong, Racquel Welch, and Connie Francis (who went many years) were part of the show. He always ended the show with the sexy female singer leading everyone in Silent Night. I still can't see through the tears as I remember those wonderful people who gave up Christmas at home to make mine and many other servicemen's Christmas a little better.
As his signature song says, Bob, "Thanks for the Memories."
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Hall of Famer [24029]
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Joey Heatherton...
Dec 25, 2017, 9:10 AM
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... sigh ...
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Orange Blooded [3431]
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Yes, I was in the nickel seats
Dec 25, 2017, 9:16 AM
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when they came to the Dominican Republic in the summer of '65. She was in a very brief dance costume and probably the only one halfway comfortable in the 90+ degree heat.
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CU Medallion [58309]
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Orange Blooded [2429]
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Re: 50 years without being home for Christmas
Dec 25, 2017, 9:34 AM
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Amen, one of the best Americans to ever live. I was lucky enough to see the Bob Hope show in Long Bien, Viet Nam in 71. I was disappointed in my church this year for going two straight Christmas seasons without singing Silent Night at some point during our services from Thanksgiving to Christmas. When 50, 000 GIs sing that song to close a show it remains locked in your heart as your favorite Christmas hymn.
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All-TigerNet [10587]
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Re: 50 years without being home for Christmas
Dec 25, 2017, 9:51 AM
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That had to be awesome. I think I would have been too choked up to utter a word!
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Lot o points [163005]
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All-TigerNet [10898]
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Don't give up on Silent Night yet, many of the churches do
Dec 25, 2017, 5:37 PM
[ in reply to Re: 50 years without being home for Christmas ] |
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Christmas hymns the Sunday after Christmas. Our church will, and we will sing 7 or 8 Christmas songs as part of the service.
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Orange Blooded [3750]
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Re: 50 years without being home for Christmas
Dec 25, 2017, 9:38 AM
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Thanks for posting and hope you have a Merry Christmas! And thanks to all you vets for all you have done to keep us free!+1
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All-TigerNet [10587]
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Re: 50 years without being home for Christmas
Dec 25, 2017, 9:50 AM
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It's funny but I don't think I missed a Christmas during my year long tour in Viet Nam. Forty-eight years ago today (Christmas Day 1969) at around 12:00 noon, my mother dropped me off at the Atlanta airport for a flight to California. After a one-night stay in San Francisco we boarded a plane for Okinawa and then on to the Republic of Viet Nam. I spend the entire year in Viet Nam as a Marine Platoon Commander and left to come back to the states on December 22, 1970. If I remember correctly, on one of our legs back, we left an airport on December 23 and landed on December 22, as we crossed the International Dateline.
I really don't even remember whether I got back a day before or a day or two after Christmas. It really didn't matter, as my "Christmas" was just being home. Although we did have some occasional entertainment, I think Bob Hope mostly performed at larger more secure locations, which made more sense. Our entertainment was the "Donut Dollies", young girls from the Red Cross, that would drop in by helicopter and bring us doughnuts and play games with my men. While Bob Hope get a lot of well deserved credit, we should also be grateful for the young ladies from the Red Cross and other organizations that are rarely mentioned who also gave up their Christmas at home.
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Orange Blooded [2429]
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Re: 50 years without being home for Christmas
Dec 25, 2017, 9:57 AM
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When leaving Viet Nam we arrived in Okinawa an hour before we left Viet Nam.
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Lot o points [163005]
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110%er [6878]
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Re: 50 years without being home for Christmas
Dec 25, 2017, 11:01 AM
[ in reply to Re: 50 years without being home for Christmas ] |
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And thank you for reminding us that many served in different ways. A big grandmommy hug and virtual kiss to all who serve to keep us safe and free at home in the most wonderful country that can be imagined.
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All-Conference [423]
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Re: 50 years without being home for Christmas
Dec 25, 2017, 10:16 AM
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I was a student at Clemson during some of the worst Vietnam War years. Staying in school and having a high draft lottery number kept me from having to go into the service, (I think I would have proudly gone however if I had been drafted). Anyway, thanks to all of you who served, and I especially want to single out the Vietnam War Vets. You are a group that often doesn't get your due for your service. I appreciate what you did serving all of us in a war that divided the country in a lot of ways. Merry Christmas!!
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All-In [43977]
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Thank you all for your service. Merry Christmas and God bless.***
Dec 25, 2017, 10:20 AM
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Lot o points [163005]
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Merry Christmas and thank you for serving!***
Dec 25, 2017, 10:47 AM
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Team Captain [475]
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I loved Bob Hope but Joey Heatherton was the greatest!***
Dec 25, 2017, 10:48 AM
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CU Medallion [51759]
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Merry Christmas! Thank you for your service.
Dec 25, 2017, 11:09 AM
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And, thank you, Bob Hope.
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Orange Blooded [4854]
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Re: 50 years without being home for Christmas
Dec 25, 2017, 11:18 AM
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I always looked forward to seeing the College Football All-American Team (1st Team) presentations during his Christmas Specials, as a kid with not much access to sports media.
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Legend [15467]
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Re: 50 years without being home for Christmas
Dec 25, 2017, 12:02 PM
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OUTSTANDING! Merry Christmas to all y’all!
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All-In [27366]
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All-In [48078]
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Most of the places you were.....
Dec 25, 2017, 6:33 PM
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didn't make our life in the US any better or safer, nor you should you have ever been there. They were disgusting mistakes by the US government that ended up butchering 100's of thousands of humans and animals. That said, I respect you and I thank you for making the sacrifices. It's disgusting what happened though. Don't build up what you were doing though. It was pathetic as far as the big picture.
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Orange Blooded [3510]
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Re: Most of the places you were.....
Dec 25, 2017, 7:40 PM
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Get a life dude. There is no need to turn this into your platform to make a political statement.
Just thank him for his service and leave it at that.
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All-In [48078]
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Really...deaths are cool to you.
Dec 25, 2017, 7:45 PM
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This the real world. You're obviously a moron. Yeah only an idiot like yourself sees life and death as a fun a political statement or obtuse enough to not see the ramifications.. Only idiots look at a massacred family as political statement. No, they are real people. No moron, they really die.
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Orange Blooded [3510]
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Re: Really...deaths are cool to you.
Dec 25, 2017, 9:18 PM
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As a veteran I am well aware that people die in combat and did so during Vietnam. Your statement was not about life and death but rather only cheapened the service of those serving our country. I will never be embarrassed by my service; if you are that is your problem not mine. Your attempt to make other veterans feel bad about thier service is despicable. If being a veteran makes me a moron then so be it.
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All-In [48078]
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Umm no moron. I have lost relatives in war.
Dec 25, 2017, 11:26 PM
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I am from a military family. There is nothing cheapened about it. Great spin there. Good effort. Your comment is once again one of a moron. You're an idiot.
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Orange Blooded [3510]
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Re: Umm no moron. I have lost relatives in war.
Dec 26, 2017, 8:39 AM
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And that is the difference between you and I. I am veteran and was willing to put my life on the line for my country. You are willing to let others do it for you and then criticize how it is done. Bravo to sir - seems you have it all figured out.
I know all about “being from a military family” as well - it ain’t the same thing as doing it yourself.
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Hall of Famer [22257]
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All-In [48078]
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Bless your puny adoravle ignorant heart.
Dec 25, 2017, 11:21 PM
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I have more compassion and understanding in my fingernail than you do in your puny brain.
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All-In [48078]
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Letterman [298]
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Re: nm
Dec 26, 2017, 10:46 AM
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You need a good ### whipping.
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Legend [15862]
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Re: 50 years without being home for Christmas
Dec 25, 2017, 7:37 PM
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OldieTiger64 Thank you for your service and sacrifice as well as your families sacrifice to our country.
God Bless you!
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Recruit [92]
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Re: 50 years without being home for Christmas
Dec 25, 2017, 7:49 PM
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Remember the Bob Hope show of 1965 in Nha Trang South Vietnam
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Orange Blooded [3044]
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Re: 50 years without being home for Christmas
Dec 25, 2017, 9:46 PM
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I went to Vietnam on my birthday in Nov. 1968. The international date line played havoc with me trying to figure out my BD. I came home on my BD 1969. I was confused and still am about which way I had two birthdays and which way I lost my birthday.
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Hall of Famer [22127]
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Re: 50 years without being home for Christmas
Dec 25, 2017, 11:05 PM
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During WW2 and the Korean War, only one USO show reached our position. It was an excellent show and deeply appreciated but none of them were well known entertainers.
War is hyll. There is no other description, and there is always collateral damage. If we are ever attacked here in the United States, we will have an entirely different opinion. When war occurs "over there". it is an entirely different ball game than when a war is "over here".
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Orange Blooded [4752]
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Re: 50 years without being home for Christmas
Dec 26, 2017, 10:29 AM
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Thanks for posting this; Bob Hope certainly was a great American. It is sad to see this tribute thread was hijacked by one buffoonish thankless member.
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Replies: 35
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