CSAF says 'Thanks for the Memories' to Hope
by Tech. Sgt. Larry S. Lincoln - Air Force Development Test Center Public
Affairs - Released: Nov 6, 1997
NICEVILLE, Fla. (AFNS) -- Air Force Chief of Staff Gen.
Michael E. Ryan joined more than 1,600 adoring fans at the Okaloosa-Walton County
Community College Performing Arts Center here Nov. 1 to say, "thanks for the
memories," to legendary entertainer Bob Hope and his wife, Dolores.
The 94-year-old entertainer is widely known as the "GI's best friend,"
a reference to more than 50 years worth of bringing a ray of "hope" to military
men and women serving in hot spots around the world.
The stirring two-hour musical tribute featured performances by the Air Force
performing troupe Tops in Blue; the Robins Air Force
Base, Ga., Jazz Ensemble; and singer-actress Gloria Loring.
The evening featured several presentations, highlighted by Ryan proclaiming Hope
an honorary veteran. In his remarks, Ryan described the entertainer as one of
"America's national treasures."
Also at Ryan's request, Eglin (AFB, Fla.)
and Hurlburt Field (Fla.) Senior Enlisted
Advisers Chief Master Sgts. Charles Dickerson and Mike Reynolds presented Hope with a set
of oversized chief master sergeant stripes, and the title of honorary chief. As the
capacity crowd rose to give the Hopes a standing ovation, Reynolds proclaimed the
entertainer the "newest," and "best-looking" chief master sergeant in
the Air Force.
Hope has special ties to this community, forged by his friendship of more than
50 years with his one-time pilot, retired Air Force Col. Bob Gates. According to Gates,
the staff of the Air Force Enlisted Widows Home Foundation and the residents of Bob Hope
Village in Shalimar and Teresa Village in Fort Walton Beach (Fla.) have maintained a
20-year love affair with the entertainer and his wife.
"We've enjoyed a wonderful friendship for many years with Bob and Dolores.
They are absolutely two of the greatest people in the world," said Gates.
"They have done so much for us throughout the years, this is an opportunity
for us to say 'thank you.'"
For more than 20 years, the Hope's association with the foundation and
fund-raising efforts supported the organization's goals of providing widows of enlisted
Air Force members with housing facilities and related services.
The evening began with classic newsreel clips of Hope at his best, quipping
one-liners to appreciative crowds of military men and women serving in World War II, the
Korean Conflict, Vietnam and Operation Desert Storm/Shield.
"These trips were no sacrifice," said Hope in one newsreel. "All
the giving was done by them (the military)."
Lt. Col. Bob Doane, who assisted with Hope's trip to Saudi Arabia during
Operation Desert Shield in 1991, summed up the entertainer's effect on service members
morale.
"He came, he saw, he entertained," said Doane. "He brought us a
touch of Christmas back home. For a few hours he took us out of our wartime world and gave
us a glimpse of our heritage back home."
Loring, a last-minute addition after actress Connie Stevens had to cancel,
toured with Hope in 1970. She described the entertainer as "always willing to make a
sacrifice for the troops."
"If I could describe Bob in one word, it would be 'caring,'" said
Loring. "He is one of the most caring people I've ever met. When I heard of the
situation, and I knew I'd be available, I had to come."
At show's end, Hope and his wife, Dolores, who had taken in the evening's
proceedings from the comfort of a pair of on-stage armchairs, provided the audience with a
special treat -- an impromptu duet of "It's De-lovely," a Hope classic.
"All those shows we did were outdoors in all types of weather,"
quipped Mrs. Hope. "The first time we come to a beautiful place like this we're not
working."
Backstage, the love-in continued as members of Tops in Blue and a throng of
well-wishers pressed together for a chance to meet the Hopes. After a series of
presentations and introductions against a backdrop of camera flashes, the couple were
whisked away into the remnants of the brisk November evening.
Two hours earlier, an Air Force Now (predecessor to today's Air Force Television
News) newsreel aptly described the entertainer's special place in the hearts America's
military -- "The troops never went without Hope."
At least for one memorable evening, neither did more than 1,600 of his closest
friends.
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