Marie Osmond is opening up about working with the beloved Bob Hope and how he inspired her to work with American troops overseas. When Bob made his last USO tour, he brought along Marie, as well as The Pointer Sisters and other acts.
Marie shared, “Bob was like a second dad to me. The first time I sang ‘Paper Roses’ on national television was on Bob Hope’s Christmas special. I was barely 13. And he never asked my brother to do shows with him, it was just me. [And then] he asked me to do his very last USO tour with him. … I stood where the guns were shot when Desert Storm started. I performed on those guns for all those troops. I’ve had some wonderful experiences, and I love our military.”
Marie Osmond talks about how Bob Hope inspired her to help the troops
Bob spent a lot of his career entertaining the troops and even befriended injured soldiers. His dedication inspired Marie to give back to those who fight for us. Marie added, “We don’t realize the sacrifice these people make for us. And so, I honor them deeply. I see what they have done. It’s maybe why I love people so much. You know, all those things – they affect you.”
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Marie’s father also inspired her to help because he was an army sergeant. She joked, “My dad was an army sergeant, and he had my brother wake us up to ‘Reveille’ every morning. Seriously, that’s how [he] raised nine children.”
Watch Marie sing “Paper Roses” on The Bob Hope Show:
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