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Posted by BRAD BAUGHMAN --Previous Message--
on 4/26/2005, 5:02 pm, in reply to "Ann Margaret--a True Angel."
64.12.116.199
I'M GLAD THAT RICHARD GOT TO THE WALL AND I WILL BE GLAD TO THANK HIM FOR HIS SERVICE.WELCOME HOME BRO. AS FOR ANN, SHE WAS ALWAYS A CLASS ACT AND STILL IS. WELCOME HOME RICHARD. BRAD--MACV TM 42
: 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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