Ann Margret....

This story deserves repeating


This is a good counter-balance story

to the Jane Fonda,
" Vietnam Woman

Of The Year," 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 Margret with Bob Hope in

the background that was one of his

 treasures. 

A few years ago, Ann

Margret 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 Margret came out looking 

as beautiful as ever and, as second

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 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 Margret 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.