Convention 08: Banquet
Wednesday, August 20, 2008 at 10:21 AM
by post5969
ORLANDO, Fla., Aug. 18, 2008--At Monday night’s banquet, actress Ann-Margret as well as Mickey Rooney, received VFW's Hall of Fame Award.
Ann-Margret, who participated in Bob Hope’s USO tours in Vietnam in 1966 and 1968, said, "You represent the soul of this nation. We are eternally grateful. I give you my deepest respect and admiration." She spoke emotionally about meeting Vietnam veterans so many years ago. "They were just boys doing a man's job,” she said. The famed actress spoke proudly of her daughter, who is a psychologist at a VA hospital in Wisconsin where she treats veterans with PTSD. Ann-Margret received a hearty applause.
Actor Mickey Rooney, co-recipient of the Hall of Fame Award, made it clear that he was a soldier in the Army and not part of the USO. He recounted his time in WWII in Europe at length. Part of what was called three-man "Jeep tours," he often entertained at the front lines. For a while he was attached to units such as the 82nd Airborne Division. Rooney, a VFW member-at-large in California, told a heartwarming story about an amputee he met overseas and how he affected his later life. Gen. George Patton recommended Rooney for the Bronze Star, the actor said. "Celebrity! Forget that. I am a soldier who loves his country," he said. In referring to the presidential election, Rooney concluded: "Vote for the best interests of our country."
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Photos courtesy Shannan Brown, New Hampshire VFW Post 7217
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Photos courtesy Shannan Brown, New Hampshire VFW Post 7217
