Thanks for the Memories BOB.

San Diego Bob Hope Memorial.

The figure with the mic is a bronze likeness of Bob Hope, the legendary movie-TV comedian and entertainer, in his prime. Before his death in 2003 at age 100, Hope had performed in hundreds of USO events since 1941, entertaining US military audiences in far-flung theaters of conflict, from World War II to the Gulf War.

Like some morale-igniting secret weapon, Bob Hope was deployed for maximum laugh efficacy, and much loved by men and women in uniform. In 1997, President Clinton bestowed on Hope the rank of "Honorary Veteran."

On the plaza, there are 15 life-sized bronze statues, arranged as if attending a Bob Hope show. Each figure represents a serviceman from a different conflict. The scene is completely open, allowing visitors to wander between the figures, and pose with them in reverent or irreverent pull-my-finger positions, or join the frozen crowd to cheer on Bob Hope's one-liners.

Gag opportunities abound.
Women in the service are represented, as are wounded vets, with a racial diversity that underscores Hope's broad appeal. One figure holds up a sign with stenciled, punch-through lettering: "Thanks for the Memories BOB."
Taken from RoadsideAmerica.
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