The Legacy of Hope
The Legacy of Hope
He moved through the hazardous fronts of World War II, Korea, and Vietnam. Over 50 years, he completed 57 tours, the final during the Persian Gulf War. He wasn’t an officer, he didn’t carry a rifle, in fact he wasn’t even enlisted, but grunt and officer alike were always happy to be in the presence of Bob Hope. His legacy serves as a reminder that you don't need a commission to serve. You just need to show up.
Bob Hope was more than an entertainer. He bore witness. Whenever the world was fractured and service members were asked to bear the burden, his presence acted as a vital tether to the lives they left behind. Hope carried the memories of those young faces with him, later recalling the profound grace he saw:
"I saw your son and your husband, your brother and your sweetheart. I saw how they worked, played, fought and lived. I saw some of them die. I saw more courage, more good humor in the face of discomfort, more love… and more devotion to duty than I ever thought possible."
Bob knew that gratitude isn't a silent sentiment. It is an active, noisy, and visible choice. This underpins everything we do here at the PMML. Beyond merely preserving historical records, we steward the citizen soldier’s legacy ensuring their devotion to duty is mirrored by our own devotion to them.
Our ability to steward, translate, and elevate the stories of our soldiers relies entirely on the support of the public. To those already standing by us, we offer our deepest and most sincere thanks. If you have yet to join us in this effort, there is no better time to step forward than right now. As we celebrate with our own loved ones, let us remember that the mission of honoring our veterans and supporting our troops never pauses.
Be like Bob. Continue the legacy he lived. A quick and easy gift to the PMML right now is your chance to step forward and add your voice to the chorus, officially joining our commitment to honoring our soldiers. You can also show up to events and exhibits, visit memorials, volunteer, or look up your local veteran’s group, give them a call, and ask what they need.
Our shared mission requires action. Our success depends on you. Live the legacy of Hope and make a difference now.
