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Posted by Linda
on 7/18/2009, 10:11 am, in reply to "Re: Ann Margaret--a True Angel.roger nunez marine photographer at showplease contact if knew"
98.121.202.229
My Dad was Roger Nunez. He was in the Marines and had two tours in Viet Nam. He had an autographed photo of Ann Margaret. Did you know my father?
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: --Previous Message--
: Richard was barely 18 when the Army sent him
: to Viet Nam. While there he was wounded and
: received the Purple Heart. The bright spot
: in his tour of duty was one of Bob Hope’s
: famous shows. For years he has treasured a
: rather grainy, black and white photo of Ann
: Margaret he took as she performed at that
: show.
:
: Three or four years ago, he learned that Ann
: Margaret would be in town for a book signing
: and decided to take the treasured picture in
: the hopes she would sign it for him. So as
: not to miss out on the opportunity, he
: arrived at the bookstore shortly after noon
: for the 7:00 o’clock signing. By the time I
: joined him after work, the line was all the
: way around the store, snaked around the
: parking lot and disappeared behind a parking
: garage.
:
: Before her arrival, the bookstore employees
: announced that she would not sign any
: memorabilia, just her book. Richard was
: disappointed but content with the
: opportunity to show her the picture and tell
: her how much those shows meant to lonely
: G.I.’s. Ann Margaret arrived looking
: absolutely lovely and as second in line, it
: was soon Richard’s turn. When he took out
: his picture to show her, there were many
: shouts from those around her that she would
: not sign any memorabilia. Richard said, “I
: know, I just want to show it to her.”
:
: Ann Margaret took one look at the picture
: and said, “This is one of my gentlemen from
: Viet Nam and I will most certainly autograph
: his picture if he wishes. I very much
: appreciate what these men did for their
: country and I always have time for “my
: gentlemen”. She then reached across the
: table, grabbed my husband and planted a big
: kiss on him. Despite the big crowd, she
: very graciously signed the picture, posed
: for pictures, and took time to visit. As we
: left she said, “Thank you so very much for
: all that you did.”
:
: Afterwards, at dinner, my husband was very
: quiet. I took his hand and asked what was
: wrong and my husband broke down and cried.
: When the sobs stopped he looked at me and
: said, “That’s the first time anyone has ever
: thanked me for my service.” Like so many
: others, my husband came home from Viet Nam
: to shouts of hate from protestors. For the
: first time, he was able to take pride in
: having served his country and it was a real
: turning point in his life.
:
: Now whenever I see Ann Margaret on TV or in
: a movie, I not only see a beautiful face,
: but a beautiful and caring soul. I’m
: grateful for that act of kindness that gave
: pride back to my husband.
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