Denzel Washington made some new fans when he and his family visited the Brooks Army Medical Center in San Antonio, where soldiers wounded in Iraq, especially burn victims, are hospitalized.
The base has buildings known as Fisher Houses, founded by the Fisher family of New York real estate fame, where relatives of the wounded can stay for little or no charge. When Washington learned there weren't enough Fisher House facilities, he asked how much one would cost to build. "He wrote a check for the full amount right there on the spot," said a source, who added: "The question I have is why do Madonna, Sean Penn and other Hollywood types make front-page news with their anti-everything America crap and this doesn't even get reported?"
--Class act move by Denzel. And I agree with the source--I know we thrive on the gossip, but a story like this should also get serious airtime.
Posted by Lawren at June 22, 2005 08:04 AM
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He's always doing things like that. As a retired military person, I think a lot of him for it and wish other celebrities would follow his example especially the ones who seem to be anti-military. A person can be against a war and still support the troops.
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Nanc' at June 22, 2005 08:39 AM
I agree wholeheartedly. I suspect Denzel is a lot like many other celebrities who prefer to quietly perform acts of charity so as to avoid looking disingenuous, you know?
I know David Letterman does a lot for charity but doesn't talk much about it so people can't scrutinize it and be too cynical toward it.
As for Sean Penn, that guy's getting scary-close to Michael Moore territory as a self-aggrandizing jackass.
Aside: My comment had to be re-written because of "questionable content." The content in question? The slang term cel ebs (put it together). That's questionable? Gonna need a ruling. :-p
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Kevvy the Unnamed Source at June 22, 2005 10:11 AM
This is the kind of stuff that puts a smile on my face. What a truly decent human being. I agree, stories like this should get more press.
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Michelle at June 22, 2005 11:12 AM
so let me get this straight -- these brave souls are injured defending the interests of the United States. The American government can't ensure that family members have a decent place to stay when they come to visit wounded soldiers in hospital.
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jasper at June 22, 2005 11:18 AM
I'm sure Jasper's being rhetorical, but think of how many soldiers went *into* Iraq ill-equipped.
This doesn't surprise me, sadly.
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Kevvy the Unnamed Source at June 22, 2005 12:31 PM
I went into Iraq early-on and never saw or heard of any soldier there "ill-equipped." Did the insurgent tactics change necessitating changes in equipment? You bet...if you knew ANYTHING about the military, you might understand that.
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Mephistopheles at June 22, 2005 01:35 PM
http://www.usatoday.com/news/world/iraq/2004-03-26-body-armor_x.htm
Shall I go on?
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Kevvy the Unnamed Source at June 22, 2005 02:18 PM
Actually, for the sake of the gracious host and her guests, I shall not go on in this forum concerning one's pugnacious stance toward me.
Rather than take blind swipes at me, (s)he is more than welcome to email me (follow my link) if said person wishes to discuss the issue.
I didn't come here to tangle over such remedial nonsense.
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Kevvy the Unnamed Source at June 22, 2005 02:34 PM
nice kevvy...you know nothing about the military and then quote a newspaper that knows even less HAHAHAHAHA
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Mephistopheles at June 22, 2005 03:38 PM
Unfortunately this story is only partially true. The facts can be found here http://www.snopes.com/politics/military/denzel.asp
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M@ at June 22, 2005 04:49 PM
I am only happy to hear your side of things. Mephistopheles. My offer to you was sincere. But you choose to bring nothing into the conversation, other than to ridicule me and the AP (I suppose I could've cited Fox News as well, since they covered the same story, but that might've been condescending on my part).
You say nothing to support your claim. Hell, I don't even know what your claim is, other than a burning desire to pick on me. If I didn't know any better, I'd say you have a crush on me.
:-p
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Kevvy the Unnamed Source at June 22, 2005 05:44 PM
When we into Desert Storm, we were ill prepared for chemical and biological warfare. We did not have the chem suits, gas masks nor training needed to deal with that type of war. We were lucky because it did take a while to get caught-up. From my experiences, we were well prepared for Iraq, however, as with any conflict, the situation changes. Over time, troops found themselves under equipped for what they were dealing with there. I guess we can blame our leaders for not being able to see into the future or make an educated guess about these things. As for Mr. Washington, any good done for the troops is GOOD. I'm out.
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Nanc' at June 22, 2005 06:17 PM