05/29/2026
: Thanks for the Memory of Bob Hope at the Exchange
May 29 is the birthday of Bob Hope, who was a comedian, actor, singer and military supporter. He was never an Exchange associate but he was a “We Go Where You Go” guy—he made 57 tours for the USO, entertaining thousands of troops overseas across four wars, beginning with World War II and ending with Operation Desert Shield/Storm.
The Exchange supported the troops at several of these appearances, which were often televised and included guest stars. And Hope made appearances at several Exchanges.
The biggest one happened in 1994, when Hope and his wife, Dolores, visited Eglin AFB in Florida for an annual benefit to support Bob Hope Village (now Air Force Enlisted Village), an independent living community for military families that developed from the Air Force Enlisted Men’s Widows Home Foundation. During their visit, the Hopes came to the Eglin Exchange for, according to the Exchange Post, Bob’s first retail-store autograph signing ever—and he was in his early 90s and had been an entertainer for more than 50 years.
The visit required the Eglin BX to make an all-out team effort. A buyer arranged to have pre-release copies of a new Hope CD two weeks ahead of the Hopes’ appearance so customers could have them available for autographs. A secretary helped to publicize the appearance in the base newspaper and on electronic reader boards. She also arranged to have security present. Team members designed signage and banners to create buzz.
Roughly 550 people showed up for the event, each one getting an autograph. The Hopes’ daughter, Linda, who accompanied them on the trip, called Retail Manager Pat McGhee (pictured above with Bob and Dolores Hope) the next day to say how pleased her parents were with the visit. She also requested photos so that they could pattern future appearances after the one at the Eglin BX. The Hopes returned to Eglin twice.
Get the full story at https://aafes.media/49wlXjP.
Sources: Exchange Post archives, Air Force Enlisted Village (https://aafes.media/43zZlvm)
