4/25/2004

Sunday Sermon

Ann Margaret

In the 1981, I had the idea of a Silicon Valley Salvation Army Speaker's Bureau, actually organizing it, even putting the lists together and doing the mailing; appearing when others could not, and perhaps spoke before hundreds of service and like clubs over the years. Many were amazed to learn the “Army” is actually a “church” and the officers are ministers. Most are married to each other and the spouse often works without a salary. They get lodging, uniforms, and about $25,000 to $30,000 a year when they reach Captain ( the rank is not by “position,” but how long you have served).

When I started this my goal was also to bring along a person going through rehabilitation, c I always like a “live person” telling their story. My presentation was short, then let the person going through the program speak, plus questions and answers. It was not only timely around Christmas, but very helpful to the “live person,” who learned they were accepted, plus could speak before an audience of people they did not know.

In the early 1990's, in promoting the Salvation Army Thrift, before the Army made their own, one I personally designed and produced, I was asked about the site we developed. It gave me the idea to introduced the internet to nursing homes,which I did, and recruited others along the way. At one, I talked about the internet hoaxes, read some, and I guess it was so good, it made the local newspapers, and I started a circuit to rotary clubs about Internet Hoaxes. There was even a collection on the American Leasing Web Site.

Most of them were very funny, and those in the audience before I spoke, told me they thought they were true. Almost 100% were not. It seems everyone who got one, believed it, and passed it along as if they had discovered a “secret.”

One of them that is true, and verified by several authoritive web sites, such as snopes.com, is this one about Ann Margaret:

“Richard, (my husband), never really talked a lot about his time in Viet Nam other than he had been shot by a sniper. However, he had a rather grainy, 8 x 10 black & white photo he had taken at a USO show of Ann Margaret with Bob Hope in the background that was one of his treasures.

“A few years ago, Ann Margaret was doing a book signing at a local bookstore. Richard wanted to see if he could get her to sign the treasured photo so he arrived at the bookstore at 12 o'clock for the 7:30 signing. When I got there after work, the line went all the way around the bookstore, circled the parking lot, and disappeared behind a parking garage.

“Before her appearance, bookstore employees announced that she would sign only her book and no memorabilia would be permitted. Richard was disappointed, but wanted to show her the photo and let her know how much those shows meant to lonely GI's so far from home.

“Ann Margaret came out looking as beautiful as ever and, as 2nd in line, it was soon Richard's turn. He presented the book for her signature and then took out the photo. When he did, there were many shouts from the employees that she would not sign it. Richard said, "I understand. I just wanted her to see it".

“She took one look at the photo, tears welled up in her eyes and she said, ‘This is one of my gentlemen from Viet Nam and I most certainly will sign his photo. I know what these men did for their country and I always have time for "my gentlemen".' With that, she pulled Richard across the table and planted a big kiss on him.

“She then made quite a to do about the bravery of the young men she met over the years, how much she admired them, and how much she appreciated them. There weren't too many dry eyes among those close enough to hear. She then posed for pictures and acted as if he was the only one there.

“Later at dinner, Richard was very quiet. When I asked if he'd like to talk about it, my big strong husband broke down in tears. ‘That's the first time anyone ever thanked me for my time in the Army', he said.

“Richard, like many others, came home to people who spit on him and shouted ugly things at him. That night was a turning point for him. He walked a little straighter and, for the first time in years, was proud to have been a Vet.

“I'll never forget Ann Margaret for her graciousness and how much that small act of kindness meant to my husband. I now make it a point to say Thank You to every person I come across who served in our Armed Forces.

“Freedom does not come cheap and I am grateful for all those who have served their country.

“If you'd like to pass on this story, feel free to do so. Perhaps it will help others to become aware of how important it is to acknowledge the contribution our service people make.”

Before introducing the foot note, which you may want to skip, I won't to bring forward one sent to me recently by Terry Waggoner. His son and my son serve in the military, and we talk back and forth by e-mail. This is a “true e-mail,” and thought it appropriatefor those who can make the time for some spiritual thought this Sunday (the word document follows the e-mail introduction from Terry:

“At 5:30 a.m. <Pacific> he called me from................. Ramstein,
Germany!!!!! Refueling stop enroute to Pope AFB/Ft. Bragg, NC. They will
arrive there around 9:30 p.m. <Eastern> tonight and they are glad to be
outta there. Seems the media hasn't reported but a few of the many attacks
on his location but it's not his turf to protect any longer.

  “ Keep praying, of course, for all who remain there.

  “The attached word doc is a story of the saddest type of homecoming. It's
a bit over 8 pages, but I ask you to read it as you would any other moving
short story. If you can't open a word doc, write me back and I'll copy the
account into an email for you.

   “It's the story of the final journey home of United States Marine Corps
Pfc. Chance R. Phelps, KIA in Iraq April 9. I needed to validate his death
before sending this onward and I so hoped it was false. It is not:

(Marine web site announcements)
   http://kardev.com/semper_fi.htm

   April 9:

   Marine Pfc. Chance R. Phelps, 19, of Clifton, Colo hostile fire

   Marine Pfc. Eric A. Ayon, 26, of Arleta, Calif. hostile fire

   Marine Cpl. Matthew E. Matula, 20, of Spicewood, Texas hostile fire

   Marine Lance Cpl. Elias Torrez III, 21, of Veribest, Texas hostile fire

   Marine Cpl. Michael R. Speer, 24, of Davenport, Iowa hostile fire

   This story will hit you on many levels and to me, on balance, I found it
both sad and comforting. You'll see why and I invite you to forward it.

   Terry Waggoner

Here is the 8 ½ page letter; yes, long, but I hope you will make the time to read it:

http://www.two.leasingnews.org/loose_files/Pfc.%20Chance%20R.
%20Phelps,%20USMC.doc

****Origins: Ann-Margaret

(born Ann-Margaret Olsson in 1941) caught the entertainment industry's eye while still a teen. Her vivacious spirit and startling good looks helped propel her into a successful career as an actress, singer, and dancer, but she was initially saddled with a sex kitten image that limited her to siren roles. With the help of her husband (Roger Smith of television's 77 Sunset Strip), she began to shake free of that perception during her thirties. She has been twice nominated for an Academy Award (Carnal Knowledge in 1971, and Tommy in 1975) and has been the recipient of numerous Emmys.

According to Bruce Thompson, webmaster of Ann-Margret.com, the star's official web site, the story is indeed true. His statement plus the knowledge that nothing in the tale runs contrary to the facts of her life is enough for us. She entertained the troops in Viet Nam as part of Bob Hope's troupe in the 1960s, and she did participate in a number of book signings at a variety of book stores when her biography, Ann-Margret: My Story, came out in 1994. (My Story made The New York Times best-seller list scant days after its release.)

Even today she is remembered fondly by those who served in Vietnam and who were lucky enough to be in the audience for one of her shows. In interviews with the press, she has spoken about former G.I.s who have stepped forward to thank her for taking the time to do her part back then. It's not too much of a stretch to think she would in turn be thanking them.

http://www.snopes.com/military/margret.htm