Los Angeles VA Chapel Dedicated to Bob Hope

WASHINGTON – Secretary of Veterans Affairs Anthony J. Principi today participated in rededicating the chapel at the Los Angeles National Cemetery in honor of entertainer Bob Hope.  The event, marking Hope’s 99^th birthday, was sponsored by the Veterans Park Conservancy, Inc., a non-profit organization that has spearheaded several cemetery-enhancement projects since 1997.

“Bob Hope brought laughter and reminders of home to troops stationed in combat theaters from World War II to the Gulf War, often at the expense of his own family life and sometimes at his peril,” Principi said. “This is one way that a grateful nation can say to him, ‘Thanks for the Memories.'”

During 60 years of goodwill tours to U.S. forces around the world, often under sponsorship of the USO, Hope is credited with entertaining 10 million American service members.  Members of the Hope family, military and veterans service organization representatives, government officials and Hollywood notables attended.

Congress passed H.R. 4592 renaming the chapel at the Los Angeles cemetery, where 85,000 veterans are buried, in Hope’s honor.  The chapel also houses the cemetery’s administrative offices.

The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), in partnership with the Veterans Park Conservancy, Inc., plans to renovate the historic chapel, built in 1940-41, to include restoration of distinctive architectural features along with the installation of new heating, cooling, lighting and security systems.

Bob Hope was born Leslie Townes Hope on May 29, 1903, in Eltham, England.  He became a naturalized U.S. citizen in 1920.  In 1997, an act of Congress made him an “honorary veteran.”  He is the only private citizen to receive “honorary veteran” status.

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