Tony at the Eisenhower Presidential Library Front Steps
The greatly anticipated event, sponsored by the Eisenhower Foundation, started at 2:00 pm on Saturday, October 11, 2014, on the steps of the Eisenhower Presidential Library.
On a sunny crispy fall day, the two featured acts helped celebrate not
only President Dwight D. Eisenhower's 124th birthday but also the men
and women of our armed forces.
The entertainment started with laughter and comedy from the 1940s as Lynn Roberts and Chuck Carson
kick-started the afternoon with their tribute show "On The Air." Chuck
Carson, the radio announcer, took the audience back to a time of live
stage radio shows. Along with skits, one-lines, and familiar
advertising jingles from years past, Lynn Roberts, the man of many faces
and voices, portrayed a number of legendary performers. Red Skelton, Jack Benny and Jimmy Durante were two old friends he brought back to life, but the audience seemed to enjoy Bob Hope most of all.
Lynn Roberts playing Red Skelton (Left), Jack Benny (Top Center), Jimmy Durante (Bottom Center), Bob Hope (Right)
According to Carson and Roberts their "On
The Air" show does not just pay tribute to the celebrities Roberts
portrays, it also celebrates the soldiers of all wars. Roberts uses his
Bob Hope character to reminisce about his USO shows, the dangers of traveling to the front lines, and his memorable friendship with Ike and Mamie.
Tony Orlando and Mary Jean Eisenhower
Sailors from U.S.S. Eisenhower
The second half of the afternoon began with Mary Jean Eisenhower introducing her friend Tony Orlando
to the audience. Before Tony Orlando began to sing, Tony and Mary Jean
along with the Captain of the nuclear aircraft carrier the U.S.S.
Eisenhower honored three of its sailors with awards for outstanding
service to their country.
After the awards, Tony took
the stage not only to sing some of his well known hits, but also to tell
the story of his family and his life, the opportunity to serve his
country not as a solider by as a citizen and to thank his fans for
supporting him. At the end of his talk, Mr. Orlando shared a recent
story that connected the hearts of the audience to a wounded solider and
his family.
Tony Orlando singing "Knock Three Times"
Tony Orlando kicking it with fans
Tony's selection of songs stirred emotions
and provoked dancing and singing among the audience. The first song he
sang was "Candida" from the album Dawn: Candida. The next two
songs, "Tie a Yellow Ribbon" and "Knock Three Times" had everyone in the
crowd singing and clapping along. The final song Mr. Orlando sang was
"Coming to America" originally performed by Neil Diamond. During the
song Tony asked veterans of different wars to stand and be thanked for
their service and for their sacrifice.
Footage of "Coming to America"
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After
the show Tony stayed to greet his fans, hear their stories, and sign
his autograph. At the end, after his last fan had left, he and Mary
Jean Eisenhower, and a select few walked down the long empty sidewalk in
the final rays of afternoon sunlight to visit the final resting place
of the Eisenhowers.
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