Scultptures Commemorate Bob Hope’s Military Travels

A national salute to Bob Hope and the military came to fruition last week in San Diego when members of all branches of the armed services and guests gathered to commemorate the many years of entertainment Hope brought to the troops in various war theaters, from World War II to the Gulf War. The event was planned to coincide with the anniversary of the Battle of Leyte Gulf in 1944 in which a flotilla known as Taffy III (part of the Seventh Fleet) lost seven of its 13 vessels. Veteran Bob Hope Special entertainer Connie Stevens served as master of ceremonies and welcomed the special guests who were seated onshore next to the carrier USS Midway. Among the celebrants was Palisadian Emil Wroblicky, chairman of the American Legion campaign in California, which raised $100,000 towards funding the project. He was joined by other members of Legion Post 283. The memorial consists of 14 life-size sculptures of military personnel with a sculpture of Bob Hope in the center. Statues of military men and women from the Army, Marines, Navy and Air Force were completed by four sculptors and unveiled at the site alongside the USS Midway. The sculpture of Bob Hope was not yet completed, pending final approval of Hope’s widow, Dolores. By reviewing archived photographs and research into Bob Hope’s famous USO tours, the artists captured the common audience postures and provided special attention to historical details representative of rank and service during the various shows.