Bob Hope “It has always seemed to me that hearty laughter is a good way to jog internally without having to go outdoors.” —Norman Cousins The American Dream has not come without a price. Countless thousands of young Americans have defended our freedom in wars on distant shores. They were often lonely, and many of those soldiers wondered if the people back home still remembered them. The USO remembered them, and so did Bob Hope. For more than half a century, the veteran comedian has entertained American troops around the world, keeping their hopes up and their dreams alive. In commemoration of his unflagging efforts, Congress named Bob “America’s Most-prized Ambassador of Good Will.” Like any good businessman, Bob knows his fortune came from the people. Throughout his career, his job—much like a salesman’s—has been to communicate with the audience. He makes people feel at home and makes them want to buy his “product.” During his early days in radio, one show’s producers didn’t think Bob needed a live audience to perform. But Bob knew that it was people who made his act work, so he ushered in a sizable group from an Edgar Bergen show and never did another live broadcast without an audience. Fans were Bob’s customers, and he loved them. “When I open the refrigerator door and the little light goes on, I do ten minutes,” he once quipped. At army bases and on college campuses, Bob Hope not only entertained, he sold America. He once told a group of university students, “America’s greatest natural resource has always been her people. In times of crisis, this nation always finds the leaders to guide her through.” Consider This: In tough times, laughter can help us put our lives back into perspective and help us hold on to our dreams.
Posted on: Tue, 15 Oct 2013 00:59:09 +0000