Tribute: A salute to a true legend

As the saying goes, "True legends never die," and Bob Hope will live up to that legacy.

Hope died today, July 27, 2003, at the age of 100.

Even though he is gone, the lasting impressions he made on many people will never pass.

From World War II, to Desert Storm, Hope has entertained hundreds of thousands of troops in his U.S.O. tours around the world.

The U.S.O. (United Service Organizations) was responsible for raising troops low morale in heated combat and heavy fire of many wars.

"I was lucky enough to see Mr. Hope on three different occasions," said John Thomas, USN Retired. "Vietnam, Korean War, and the Desert Storm. He will be truly missed."

The U.S.O. wasn't the only thing keeping Hope busy in his life. His love of golf was legendary, and he played with George Bush, Sr. and Bill Clinton.

Hope played on some 2,000 courses in his lifetime, from Brazil to Bangkok, from Alaska to Australia, and he played in the company of golf's top professionals.

In golf, his greatest achievement was the development of the Bob Hope/Chrysler Classic, a pro-am tournament held annually in Palm Springs, California.

Now in its 44th year, the Classic draws the most famous pros and celebrity amateurs. A total charity effort, the Classic has raised over $35 million for the Eisenhower Medical Center and 70 other deserving desert charities.

Hope, in his younger days, even owned a slice of the pie with the Cleveland Indians, and the L.A. Rams. He loved football so much, he even hosted the AP All-American Football Team on his Christmas special each year.

Hopes' book, "Confessions of a Hooker," which recognizes his achievements over 50 years, was on the New York Times' best seller list' for 53 weeks.

Sitting in the World Golf Hall of Fame is a short profile of Hope on a plaque that reads:

BOB HOPE -- known by his nose, applauded for his humor, envied for his wit and loved by millions for his unselfish concern for all beings -- Bob Hope is truly one-of-a-kind.

He popularized golf to the unknowing, sponsored it for charity and played it for fun. Not a golf champion but a great champion of golf.

For more information on how to get involved with the U.S.O. go to their web site at: http://www.uso.org