Tuesday, February 26th UC Guiles was at LAX airport to pick up three Young Marines and myself from our incredible trip to the United Nations and New York City, but that’s another story.  Since UC Guiles was going to be at LAX anyway he planned a stop at the LAX USO and talk to Brig.General Mike Teilmann, the USO Director, to find out if they needed anything from Operation DVD or from the Temecula Valley Young Marines.  And as a matter of fact they did need the Young Marines….

The Temecula Valley Young Marines were asked to participate in a celebration and remembrance of the Mayor of Hollywood Johnny Grant.  I put the word out to the Young Marines about the request for our assistance.  We would have to meet at 0600 on Thursday morning, March 6th and drive 2 hours to the Pantages Theatre in Hollywood to be escorts for the honored guests.   

Well, being from Temecula, California we didn’t know a lot about Mr. Johnny Grant so we did some research…  This man had an incredible life and before he left us on January 9, 2008 he was quoted as saying, “If I died tomorrow, I know I had one of the best lives anyone could ever imagine…”  Johnny Grant was master of ceremonies at more than 500 Hollywood Walk of Fame star unveilings, traveled with Bob Hope to entertain troops in four wars and saved the Hollywood Christmas parade from extinction more than once, and produced the largest single day event in Los Angeles history.

Grant was not only Hollywood’s most recognized spokesman but he was admired world wide.  His legendary accomplishments started with his roots in radio and television and wings developed during World War II, while serving in the Army Air Corps.  Grant broadcasted a special daily show from New York City for the millions of servicemen and women who were stationed, living, or simply passing through on military duty.  “The show was called “Strictly GI,” and featured not only news of interest to the troops, but interviews with some of the greatest and most popular entertainment stars of the day.” 
        

Johnny Grant was one of America’s most enthusiastic, energetic and vocal supporters of the men and women of the US Armed Forces.  From 1950 – 2007 Grant’s service to his country included 15 trips to Korea, 14 tours to combat bases throughout Vietnam, and Beirut, Saudi Arabia, Bosnia, Kosovo, Macedonia, and Afghanistan.  A total of 60 USO and personally organized visits to bring laughter, encouragement and the spirit of America to the troops over seas.  December 2007, Johnny made his final USO trip and traveled to Guantanamo Bay, Cuba to serve as Grand Marshal for the Base’s Christmas Parade.  

Grant was a retired Major General in the California State Military Reserve, the all-volunteer backup and support face of the California National Guard.  Johnny Grant was the recipient of numerous honors and awards including in 1982 and 1990, The Order of California, the State’s highest honor.  He was the first – and only – recipient of the Bob Hope Combat Entertainer Award from the International Korean War Veterans Association for his entertainment tours to the front lines.  He was also awarded the General Matthew B. Ridgeway Award for Patriotic and valorous service above and beyond the call of duty. 
Johnny Grant was a friend to the Presidents.  He introduced four Presidents of the United States and four First Ladies (Nixon, Ford, Bush, and Reagan) at the dedication ceremonies for the Nixon Library in Yorba Linda, California.  He also emceed the opening of the Reagan Library, with five Presidents participating.
In 1991, at the conclusion of the Persian Gulf War, Johnny created and produced Hollywood’s “Welcome Home Desert Storm” Parade, the largest single-day event in the history of Los Angeles. The United Nations officials selected Johnny Grant to serve as UN Day Chairman in 1992, and honored him for his lifetime contribution to world peace.

Along with Bing Crosby, Bob Hope, and Frank Sinatra, Johnny co-hosted the first national telethon ever produced, a fundraiser to help send America’s Olympic athletes to Helsinki in 1952.  He also served as producer and host of the United States Marine Corps Reserve’s “Toys for Tots” Telethon for ten years.          This is a bit of what we learned about Johnny Grant before we ever left Temecula.  When we arrived at the Pantages Theatre we were shown even more from displays of pictures and memorabilia from his great life.

The Young Marines who volunteered to go with myself, UC Guiles, CWO3 Tracy Byers, and Mr. Joshua Smith were GySgt Joshua Guiles, GySgt Nicholas Guiles, Sgt Zachariah Taylor, Sgt. Joshua Currier, LCpl. Nathan Taylor, LCpl. John Masters Jr., LCpl. Kathryn Byers, LCpl. Reymundo Munoz, and Pvt. Cynthia Sanchez.

The Young Marines asked military personnel – Lieutenants, Captains, Colonels, Majors, and Generals, Fire Captains and Chiefs, and Police Officials to their seats in the theatre. Once everyone was seated the Young Marines got to hear first hand about Johnny Grant’s life from actresses Angie Dickinson, Rhonda Fleming, Erik Estrada, Connie Stevens, Leeza Gibbons, Stefanie Powers, Linda Hope, Gary Owens, Mamie Van Doren, and Jamie Farr and many other dignitaries and politicians including the Mayor of Los Angeles Antonio Villaraigosa .

I know the Young Marines couldn’t appreciate who these men and women were but the adult staff and volunteers sure did!  GySgt Nicholas Guiles was excited to see Klinger from MASH and most of the kids thought Erik Estrada was comedian George Lopez but they did know the other names mentioned that were good friends and mentors to Johnny… Like Bob Hope, Gene Autry, Frank Sinatra, and Bing Crosby.
This event, the “Celebration of a Great Man’s Great Life.  A Tribute to Johnny Grant the Mayor of Hollywood.” was an incredible experience and I’m so glad that UC Guiles was at the LAX USO a few weeks ago and asked if they needed the Young Marines help with anything.

To learn more of Johhny Grants amazing life click here

To view more pictures of this tribute to a Great Man please click here