Advent devotional for November 29th

(Bob Hope at Camp Eagle, 1968)

It was December 1969 and this would be my fourth Christmas in a row to be in the military and separated from my family. This time I was in a war zone half a world around the world. To keep young men occupied and to reduce home sickness, our supervisors had us on a grueling schedule. We worked 365 days a year, evening shift - and then back for a day shift - then double shift - and then double back for day shift - then double back for midnight shift. We worked 8 hours, off 8 hours, worked 8 hours, off 8 hours...


I had just gotten off the midnight shift at 8:00 a.m. I was in my barracks sound asleep within minutes. About 9:00 a.m., one of our people woke me saying, "We are going to see Bob Hope Immediately." This was exciting news! Over the years, we had all watched Christimas-time TV specials where Bob Hope and his guests would entertain the troops and sailors overseas.

Bob Hope's schedule in a war zone was always classified "Top Secret." Without fanfare, we traveled to an unknown desitnation which we later learned was Camp Eagle, the South Vietnam home of the Army's 101st Airborne Division. About 15,000 hardened, battle-weary servicemen (Army, Air Force, Marines and land-based Navy) enjoyed Bob Hope, Les Brown and his Band of Renown, Gloria Diaz (Miss Universe 1969), the Golddiggers singing group and our new "hero," Neil Armstrong, who had just walked on the moon five months earlier.

The show's finale had all the entertainers on stage. With the orchestra playing, all of us sang "Silent Night." There was not a dry eye to be seen. While we were singing, the Lord touched our souls again and gave us peace. It was a memorable Christmas. Thank you, Lord.


Bill Lester, First UMC - McCamey


(Here is a link to Bob Hope's USO tours at Camp Eagle, 1967-1972)