REFLECTIONS

It was like turning back the clocks to 1968 and seeing comedian Bob Hope and entertainer Ann-Margret come into your living room via a hookup to Vietnam.

With that same flaming red hair and the temptation to recite lyrics from “Bye Bye Birdie,” she was “overwhelmed” by the love that was shown to her by Vietnam veterans. She was the main attraction at the Forest Lake American Legion Club’s March 30 Vietnam Veterans Day event.

She landed in Forest Lake on a rainy March afternoon to exchange hugs with service men and women who served in an unpopular war in Vietnam.

She was nervous

Admitting that she was nervous and was shaking uncontrollably, Ann-Margret said she was angry with the way American troops were treated after the Vietnam War.

“I don’t get into politics,” she professed.

“You’re no Jane Fonda,” a veteran shouted. Fonda is the American actress who was defamed by many because of her stance on the Vietnam War.

Take a trip on the Time Machine and remember these historic happenings leading to finally, a WELCOME HOME for American troops who served in Vietnam.

• Bob Hope was in Vietnam in 1968 entertaining American troops with Ann-Margret.
• A full-blooded Swede (Olsson), Ann-Margret was building a very successful singing and acting career in America.
• Ann-Margret was part of Hope’s USO tour group that touched thousands of American soldiers, men and women.
• Three nurses who served in Vietnam were here on this day. One of the nurses, Valerie Buchan helped write a book called “Sisterhood in War.” And, she was speaking about her time as a nurse in Vietnam, in the preview video shown before the program.
• Bob Hope died at age 100.
• American troops were no longer in Vietnam.

Ann-Margret was in Forest Lake on March 30, 2025, thanking Vietnam veterans from Minnesota for their military service in Vietnam.

Former WCCO news anchor Don Shelby introduced Ann-Margret to an audience of nearly 500. Attendees were tucked into many different rooms, bars, and conference rooms at the Forest Lake American Legion Post 225.

I was thankful to be close to the stage, thanks to the efforts of Cliff Buchan, former editor of the Forest Lake Times. Cliff was there when the Minnesota Vietnam Veterans Charities was founded in Forest Lake. He is also a cousin to Valerie Buchan.

This organization, led by veterans who served, gives education scholarships and sponsors vets on Honor Flights. Noah Juergensen was the winner of a scholarship.

Prior to Shelby’s introduction of Ann-Margret, guests watched a video capturing the many feelings of a nurse who spent a year in a Vietnam hospital.

The thoughts of Don Shelby centered around Ann-Margret.

“No one touches my heart more than Ann-Margret,” Shelby said.

Shelby continued to praise Ann-Margret, saying she showed courage and bravery in risking her life to entertain the troops in Vietnam.

Shelby and Ann-Margret sat  across the stage from one another as he interviewed her.

“She is truly an amazing person,” Shelby said. She brought America back to reality, he said. The spirit of hope was rekindled by her.

A great day

“What a great day,” Ann-Margaret said with emotion. “ I love my guys  and I love my gals.”

Talking about the dangers that existed in entertaining the troops in Vietnam, she said it so eloquently, “They wouldn’t let me get hurt.”

“I feel at home and I am so calm,” she confessed.

She was asked what her favorite songs were. “Bye Bye Birdie” and “Viva Las Vegas” came to her musical lips.

At age 83, she said she feels good and still rides her motorcycle.  My wife asked her if she remembered crashing her motorcycle outside the gate at the Brainerd Intenational Speedway. She said she did. Judy’s brother Curt was a state trooper at the time and helped clear the scene.