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Ann Margret's Spontaneous Tribute

From a Viet Nam veterans' wife 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.

From TruthOrFiction.com . . .

Ann-Margret's Spontaneous Tribute to Vietnam Vets at a Book Signing - Truth!

Summary of the eRumor:
A warm story about a Vietnam vet who wanted actress Ann-Margret to sign a snapshot he had taken of her when she once performed for troops in Vietnam. He and his wife went to a bookstore where Ann-Margret was autographing books, but an announcement was made that she would be signing books only, not other memorabilia. The vet decided to get in line anyway to at least show her the picture and tell her how much visits like hers meant to troops so far from home. When she saw the photo, tears came to her eyes and she called him one of her "gentlemen from Vietnam" and said she would sign the photo for him. She gave him a kiss and told the crowd how much she appreciated the veterans for what they had done. It was emotional for those in the crowd, but especially so for the vet who later told his wife it had been the first time anyone had thanked him for his service in the Army. Like other Vietnam vets, he returned to an America that had been tormented by the controversial conflict and did not offer the warmth, gratitude, and enthusiasm enjoyed by soldiers returning from other military actions.

The Truth:
This story is true.

We have confirmed it with both a spokesperson for Ann-Margret and a member of her family. Her web site receives hundreds of emails from veterans asking about the story as well as many emails from former soldiers who appreciated Ann-Margret's trips to Vietnam or Korea to entertain troops.








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