Dear Friends and Relatives,

It seems the age-old adage ... "Where there is a will, there's a way" ... still holds true! Perhaps we should learn to almost "welcome" occasional adversity .., but only to the extent that it awakens us from our complacency, and generates our moral inner passions into productive action. Such has been the catalyst of many success stories, and my boss, Mr. Wayne Newton, exemplifies the fact that his life's story is no exception. Severe bronchial asthma didn't stop his dreams of becoming a singer, musician, and paramount entertainer.., but it did render him unacceptable for duty in the service. When you have the strong sense of patriotism for your country that Mr. Newton holds, that's not what you want to hear. So, he found a way to serve his country thought an alternative method ... his vocation .., and USO tours. In December of the year 2000, Mr. Bob Hope passed the USO torch to Mr. Newton ... to carry on as its leader. Following the events of 9/11/01, Mr. Newton organized and led a USO tour that, just between the dates 11/11/01 and 12/24/01 alone, took them through 24 countries and 12 states. As you may have heard, that included going right into the "heart" of Afghanistan! Mr. Newton represents the spirit of America. He, and all the other wonderful entertainers who agree to engage in these endeavors, brings uplifting and supportive entertainment to those soldiers and service personnel who fight to keep us free. We thank our military personnel, and we thank Mr. Newton for all he does to keep them entertained and encouraged!

I was recently approached, along with 3 violinists, by Mr. Newton's Orchestra Conductor to accompany his normal "traveling" entourage for a musical "one-nighter" in Iowa. This took place on our only night off during that week. As we pulled up to the private air terminal, memories of the 1999 tour challenges ... involving available space on the nice little "Gulf Stream" airplane for musicians and instruments ... played in the theater of my mind. I knew that Mr. Newton had purchased a new aircraft, but I had not yet been aboard, and had no idea what to expect. Since Mark and I arrived early, we decided to go out onto the tarmac and check things out. Although the new exterior paint job and tail numbers had not been added, we were given the current numbers for location. Once identified, and after picking my jaw up off the ground, I figured there would be "no problem" finding enough space to haul just about anything he wanted! This was no little private airplane ... this was a "huge" F-28 passenger jet. We were invited by Mr. Newton's pilot to go aboard. We climbed the stairs and turned towards the passenger compartment. (I seemed to be having a lot of problem with my jaw hitting the ground that day.) Once again after collecting myself, I beheld the beautiful ivory-colored velvet ceiling and walls with matching leather bench seats and swivel recliner chairs. All the treatments were done in gold ... from the overhead lights to the seat belt attachments. There were 3 sections divided by gold trimmed, etched glass walls .., richly colored wood pull out tables, and a wet bar. Wow, it is gorgeous! Mark was excited because he got to sit in the co-pilots seat ... even though he didn't come along. He volunteered to learn how to fly it though ... just in case anybody needs him as added security! (Mark's 310L twin engine Cessna, according to the pilots, is a whole lot harder to fly than the F-28 .., but it sure has a lot fewer panel controls to monitor too.) Any way, there's no question in my mind that I am surrounded by some of the best people in the world. Here's to "life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness." Congratulations Wayne ... you've truly arrived at the top ... the hard way ... you earned it!

On the Horse Scene   |   In the year "2002" ...