| | Bob Hope, the actor, entertainer and comedian, is almost universally known around the world for his long career as a star of film and television. Yet it is in the hearts of generations of U.S. Servicemen that his most enduring legacy will reside. For over a period of fifty years, from 1943, he dedicated himself to entertaining soldiers, sailors and airmen of the armed forces in the many battle fronts and remote outposts where they've served throughout the world. His overseas USO tours, which often took place over Christmas, were deeply appreciated and well remembered by countless thousands of servicemen on protracted tours of duty, often under combat conditions, far from their homes and families. |
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| Design notes: Located atop an existing mound in a grove of coral trees, the Tribute will be 47-feet in diameter and will include ten life-size bronze sculptures. Five of the sculptures will be mounted on the points of a large star shaped stage and will portray Bob Hope in various performance skits at five different periods in his long career, which spanned five wars: World War II, the Korean War, the Vietnam War, the Cold War, and the Persian Gulf War-- during which he entertained the troops. 
Detail of artist's model
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Around the perimeter of the Tribute there will be five additional bronze sculptures representing servicemen from the five branches of the armed forces—Navy, Army, Airforce, Marine Corps and Coast Guard. Behind each serviceman figure will be a large bas relief panel portraying large crowds of troops, representing the different services, laughing at Bob Hope's jokes.
A large rotating globe with a small airplane in the center of the Tribute, mounted over a water element, will symbolize Bob Hope's extensive travels around the world while entertaining troops. Bob Hope was absolutely fearless about traveling to all parts of the world in an age when air travel was far less reliable than it is today.
Three additional panels will represent Bob Hope himself, the Hope family, and other entertainers who participated in his tours. The Tribute will be attractively landscaped.
The Tribute is intended to be interactive, personal and intimate. The visitor is meant to be part of an intimate connection with Bob Hope and to experience some sense of the bonding that Hope had with the service people he entertained. As people move about the Tribute they will trigger actual recordings of Bob Hope's jokes and the waves of laughter they provoked when entertaining the servicemen. | 
Site notes: The Tribute site is at the northwest corner (far left in photo) of the G Street Mole. This is in proximity to other military related monuments in the neighborhood including the "Homecoming" sculpture, the "Aircraft Carrier Memorial" obelisk, and the "Battle of Leyte Gulf" monument. In addition, the retired aircraft carrier U.S.S. Midway has been proposed for permanent berthing as a museum at the south side of Navy Pier (upper left). |
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| About the sponsors: Taffy III is a group of World War II Navy veterans who served on three ships of Task Unit 77.4.3 that were sunk during the Battle off Samar during the Battle for Leyte Gulf on October 25, 1944. ("Taffy III" was the code name of this task unit.) In recent years, these men have devoted their efforts toward raising money for monuments to preserve the history of this era. The Port of San Diego already has one monument funded by this group - The Battle of Leyte Gulf Memorial. The Bob Hope Tribute is the latest and most ambitious Taffy III commemorative project. | For more information on this project go to Bob Hope Military Tribute web site. |
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A National Salute to
Bob Hope and Our Military Dedication
October 25, 2006 - 2:00 p.m. (1400 hrs)
USS Midway, Flight Deck, San Diego, CA
Lodging is Available: Double Tree, 1-800-222-8733 or Direct, 1-619-297-5466
Mention TAFFY III for room rate of $120.00 + tax per night
Cut off date for room reservations of July 1, 2006
After six years of diligent work by Taffy III and their committee, the National Salute to Bob Hope and Our Military Dedication Ceremony will be held on October 25, 2006. Taffy III would be pleased to have a large contingency of Legionnaires in attendance at the ceremony which will be held on the USS Midway, San Diego.
Since the flight deck of the carrier will only accommodate 2,000 people, only those holding invitations will be permitted on board. Below is a form to request an invitation. Please copy and paste into your text editor or download request form - PDF format - fill out the bottom portion, tear off, and mail to John Ibe. This information must be received by July 1, 2006, for the mailing list.
We encourage all Legionnaires to attend this outstanding Tribute to Bob Hope who entertained the military for so many years. Thanks for the memories!!!
Sincerely,
Emil Wroblicky
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NATIONAL SALUTE TO BOB HOPE AND OUR MILITARY
I would like to receive an invitation to the ceremony:
____________________________________________________________________________
Name Address, (number and street)
____________________________________________________________________________
City State, Zip Code Telephone Number
Please mail to Mr. John Ibe
10525 Vista Sorrento Parkway, Suite 110
San Diego, CA 92121
Invitation request must be received by July 1, 2006 to be placed on the mailing list. | top of page |
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