Monday July 28, 2003
By BOB THOMAS, Associated Press Writer

In 1990, he traveled to the Persian Gulf to entertain troops preparing for war with Iraq (news – web sites). Because Saudi Arabia bars female entertainers, he had to leave Marie Osmond and the Pointer Sisters behind in Bahrain.

Through he said he was afraid of flying, Hope traveled countless miles to entertain servicemen in field hospitals, jungles and aircraft carriers from France to Berlin to Vietnam to the Persian Gulf. His Christmas tours became tradition.