Ann Margaret Off Topic Discuss Ann Margaret in the Other Topics forums; Thought Y'all might appreciate this one: Ann-Margaret.... This is a good counter-balance to the Jane Fonda Vietnam story. Viet Nam 1966 Richard, (my husband), never really talked a lot about ...

[shovelmike]

Thought Y'all might appreciate this one:
Ann-Margaret....
This is a good counter-balance to the Jane Fonda Vietnam story.



Viet Nam 1966
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 and 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 second in line,it was soon Richard's turn.

He presented the book for her sign ature 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 were 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.

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.

Don't be too busy today... Share this inspiring message with friends and family.

On behalf of those who DO appreciate all that you did for us, thank you to each of you who receive this message who have served or are serving our country in the armed services or any other service.

[frisco-rigid]

Hi ShovelMike

Great story and guess what---- it's true..
Here's proof from Snopes................

snopes.com: Ann Margret Thanks Soldiers



Unfortunately the story about Hanoijane & pinkoted is de-bunked by Snopes..

[shovelmike]

Cool, my brother in law (now deceased...long term effects of agent orange) got to see her show in Nam back about 68. Brother in law was a real story in himself, great American, great motorcyclist..rode a lot of miles with him. Sis said a good friend of his, a Green Beret died recently as well, same deal. It's a rough deal, so many who made it back alive died slowly from that stuff..their lives were never the same.
I like Ann Margaret,she's top notch, still nice to look at too.
Hanoijane and Ted are scum, don't need Snopes to verify that.

[Whopper]

Henry Fonda served honorably in the Navy in WWII...I don't doubt that Hanoijane was an embarrassment to him. The internet story about her was false, but the fact that her sympthies were with the North Vietnamese are confirmed via news reels from the 1960's.

[shovelmike]

Jane was a great embarrassment to Henry; He and Jimmy Stewart, who lost a son in Nam, were close friends. She did incalculable damage to our cause and cost who knows how many lives by bolstering North Vietnamese morale.
Henry and Jane only got back on speaking terms the last year or so before Henry died, still a father/daughter bond there to the end but his heart was broken to say the least.
And yeah, Frisco gave me the heads up on that..I deleted it. Unlike many of our enemies I try to stick to the facts.

[aceharleywrench]

ShovelMike,
Thanks for posting this,I actually got a little misty eyed just reading it,who woulda thunk it?

[admin]

I know what he meant when he said, "That's the first time anyone ever thanked me for my time in the Army." When I have told people I was a Viet Nam vet, they generally act like I was a real dumba$$ for serving there. One guy even told me he wouldn't enlist in the military even if his life depended on it. I should have punched him out on the spot, but I did go over there to defend freedom of speech -- though that freedom gets awfully abused, especially of late.