Our Salute to Bob Hope

 

Bob Hope who was master of the one-liner and favorite comedian of servicemen and presidents has died, just two months after turning 100. We cannot let the passing of the most admired, respected and stalwart supporter of the military go without adding our own tribute page. Bob Hope was one who worked on the principle that If the troops cannot be home for Christmas, then take Christmas to them.

 

Bob Hope died at about 9.30 p.m. on Sunday July 27th, 2003 of pneumonia at his home in Toluca Lake, with his family at his bedside.

 

The nation's most-honored comedian, Hope was a star in every category open to him and had Star in the famous Hollywood walkway in all of the following: vaudeville, radio, television and film, the only person to receive Stars for all four categories.

 

For decades, he took his show on the road to bases around the world, boosting the morale of servicemen from World War II to the Gulf War. Though he said he was afraid of flying, Bob Hope traveled countless miles to entertain servicemen in field hospitals, jungles and aircraft carriers from France to Berlin to Vietnam to the Persian Gulf. His Christmas tours became tradition.

 

On his 100th birthday the well known intersection of Hollywood Boulevard and Vine Street was renamed Bob Hope Square, and President Bush established the Bob Hope American Patriot Award.

 

He was born Leslie Towns Hope on May 29, 1903, in Eltham, England, the fifth of seven sons of a British stonemason and a Welsh singer of light opera. The Hopes emmigrated to the United States when he was 4 and settled in Cleveland. Bob became an American citizen at about the age of 17. Hope changed his name to Bob when classmates ridiculed his English schoolboy name.

Bob Hope started playing to troops well before the United States entered World War II. He tried to enlist, but was told he could be of more use as an entertainer. He played his first camp show at California's March Field on May 6, 1941, seven months before Pearl Harbor. His traditional Christmas tours began in 1948, when he went to Berlin to entertain GIs involved in the airlift.

"For more than five decades, through four wars and years of peacekeeping missions, Bob Hope came to symbolize, for every man and woman in uniform, the idea that America cared for and supported its troops," said Edward A. Powell, president and CEO of the United Service Organizations.

In the mid-'90s, Hope played charity dates around the nation. What was billed as his last NBC special, "Laughing with the Presidents," focused on his long friendships with many occupants of the White House, appeared in late 1996. His more than 60-year association with the network was said to be a record.

 Hope is survived by his wife; sons Anthony and Kelly; daughters Linda and Nora Somers; and four grandchildren. A private burial was planned, followed by a memorial service and tribute Aug. 27, Linda Hope said. She said her mother had asked Hope in recent days where he wanted to be buried and he answered: Surprise me.

Buckingham Palace said the Queen would be writing to Hope's widow, Dolores. The couple had been together for 69 years. "The Queen was very sad to hear the news and is sending a private message to his widow," a palace spokeswoman said.

"He was one of the most significant entertainment figures of the 20th century."  said golfer Arnold Palmer .

Bob Hope, like Mark Twain, had a sense of humor that was uniquely American and like Twain, well likely not see another like him, said Dick Van Dyke .

Its hard for me to imagine a world without Bob Hope in it, said Woody Allen.

President Bush said on July 28, 2003 "The nation lost a great citizen". "Bob Hope served our nation when he went to battlefields to entertain thousands of troops from different generations," the president said. "We extend our prayers to his family. God bless his soul."

We can only echo the words of the president.

God Bless you Bob Hope, and heartfelt thanks from millions of troops for all of your support.