Award-winning actress and singer Ann-Margret is known for her involvement in entertaining U.S. troops all through the Vietnam Warfare. In 1966, responding to a request signed by over 3,000 troopers to hold out for them, she traveled with three bandmates on a USO tour to Vietnam, Saigon, the USS Yorktown and the damaging “Iron Triangle.”
Whatever the hazard, she talked about she is set to do the proper job potential and is not frightened about her safety because of she feels protected by American troopers. She centered on bringing them pleasure from dwelling. Two years later, she returned to the battle zone with Bob Hope's Christmas USO current.
She continues to assist navy households and was honored by the USO in 2003 with the Spirit of Hope Award, named after her good pal Bob Hope. “I am very proud to be an American. “It’ll on a regular basis be like this,” she knowledgeable Vietnam journal editor Zita Ballinger Fletcher in an distinctive interview.
Ann-Margret shared insights into her wartime experiences and shared insights right into a model new restricted model perfume. All earnings benefited the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund, accessible at www.ann-margretperfume.com.
You acquired a petition from troops in Vietnam in 1966 asking you to hold out. The battle was unpopular and Vietnam was dangerous. What motivated you to go there no matter these obstacles?
To be honest, I didn't consider my safety the least bit on the time. I was very flattered by these signatures. Nothing would have stopped me from going there.
What did your family members members consider your journey to Vietnam?
Correctly, they knew how lots I wanted to go away, and naturally that they had been frightened, nonetheless I knowledgeable them, “No person can attain me because of… my individuals are there!”
Which songs did you have the benefit of most likely essentially the most there?
I beloved doing Dancing inside the Streets.
They toured with Bob Hope inside the USO Christmas Current in 1968. What was it like working with him?
I beloved working with Bob and have carried out so many cases over time. He was a gentleman and on a regular basis, on a regular basis humorous on and off stage. He was dedicated to the troopers. He knowledgeable us many tales about touring all through World Warfare II and the entire implausible and touching letters he acquired from them and their households. He was moreover good at writing once more.
When Bob and I had been rehearsing our dance for a duet for the tour, he received right here out in a mini costume and requested, “Who seems to be like increased, me or Ann-Margret?” I obtained, nonetheless he acquired a few votes from the crew .
We knew we might be safe. As soon as I did Vietnam with Johnny Rivers there have been solely 4 of us, and as soon as we went there with Bob Hope there have been 80 of us. We weren't afraid the least bit, ever. All of us merely wanted to convey these males a bit of dwelling.
What do you assume youthful people must know regarding the Vietnam Warfare proper now?
Our boys went by the use of lots – and as soon as they received right here once more, some people weren't superb to them. You've wanted to bear a lot and can be found once more and make people be unhealthy to you… We must always on a regular basis have respect and admiration for the entire men and women who’ve served. All the time keep in mind it.
You donate 100% of the proceeds out of your new restricted model perfume to the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund. Can you inform us additional about it?
Certain, thanks for asking. My expensive good pal Justin Chambers from Grey's Anatomy Ever since we labored collectively, I've wanted to make a fragrance for myself for a really very long time. So it's a endeavor that's on the drawing board. When he suggested it would revenue veterans, that was a slam dunk for me. I fully love the scent.
We labored on the exact scent for a yr sooner than we chosen this particular scent. It has notes of gardenia, jasmine and ylang-ylang. Full particulars could also be found on my site at ann-margretperfume.com and I shall be carrying it. Chances are you’ll depend upon that!
You are a sturdy supporter of Vietnam veterans. Is there one thing explicit you wish to say to the Vietnam veterans learning this?
I such as you all and am proud to have been with you.
This story appeared inside the Winter 2024 drawback of Vietnam Journal.
This textual content first appeared in Vietnam Journal
