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It was the mid to late sixties when I remember preparing for the children's Christmas television specials that would begin airing in late November and December, oh how I could not wait to see Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer , Charlie Brown Christmas, and later Frosty the Snowman.
It was also the era of the hour long television variety shows like Ed Sulivan, Dean Martin, Carol Burnett, and The Smothers Brothers. During the holiday season all of the variety shows would air their Christmas programs and there were reoccurring annual programs hosted by such entertainment greats as Judy Garland, Bob Hope, Bing Crosby, Andy Williams, the King Family and in the seventies the Carpenters.
These special programs were so important to those of us who longed for the holiday season to began, we would sing carols and watch the likes of Frank, Dean, Burl, Bing, and a host of many others share Christmas with us, but know one stood out more then Bob Hope.
I remember thinking as a child that Bob Hopes children must find it very difficult during Christmas because he was never home for the holidays due to his commitment to share Christmas with our brave men and women who were serving in the military over sea's starting from WWII to the Gulf War he gave his all to the troops on the front line.
Every year he would travel to war torn locations to give our troops some love and appreciation for keeping our nation safe. Bob and Delores Hope sacrifice was great and it always reminded me what this Holiday was all about.
I personally want to thank our brave men and women who willingly took up the mantel to fight for our freedom and the freedom of others whom we will never know. On this time when our soldiers are returning home from battle in the nine year war in Iraq I would also like to say thank you to the late Bob Hope and family for reminding us that Christmas is more about caring for others more then ourselves.
God Bless You and Yours
Merry Christmas
K. Gerard Thomas
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