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Archiver > NJ-MEMORIES > 2003-03 > 1047389282


From: Norma Shepherd <>
Subject: Re: [NJ-Memories] Ann Margaret - True Story
Date: Tue, 11 Mar 2003 08:28:02 -0500
References: <20030311090429.EAAD6884.pop018.verizon.net@[172.17.10.210]>


Betty,
This was the first email I read. What a beautiful story. I am so glad your
husbands story turned out as it did. I too always thank anyone I know that
has been in the service. We were an ungrateful nation when the boys from
Vietnam came home. How can they forgive us? We have so many that cannot
forget how they were treated. In a way it is a shame that your husband had
to wait so long for something so nice to happen. Please thank him for me, I
appreciate what he did, he did his job. God Bless him.
Norma
----- Original Message -----
From: betty <>
To: <>
Sent: Tuesday, March 11, 2003 4:04 AM
Subject: [NJ-Memories] Ann Margaret - True Story


>
>
>
> I received this in an email and do not know who wrote it but
> thought it worth passing it
> on if you will allow it.
> Yhank you Betty in NJ
>
> I thought you would like to see the attached copy of a story
> about a Viet Nam vet and Ann Margaret which is written by the
> vet's wife. It is unique and well worth reading. 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. 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.
>
>
>
>
>
> ==============================
> To join Ancestry.com and access our 1.2 billion online genealogy records,
go to:
> http://www.ancestry.com/rd/redir.asp?targetid=571&sourceid=1237
>

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