Ryan Carter
During World War II, Bob Hope's family frequently watched him leave
for his United Service Organization shows from what was then the
Lockheed Air Terminal. One time at the Burbank terminal, Hope's son
was not even sure whether his father was coming or going, Hope's wife
Dolores said.
Although Hope died earlier this year, his memory landed for good
Wednesday at the Burbank-Glendale-Pasadena Airport.
About 200 friends, family members and other dignitaries joined
airport officials on a sunny morning to christen Bob Hope Airport.
Wednesday also marked the 100th anniversary of the Wright brothers'
historic flight at Kitty Hawk, N.C., which was celebrated nationwide.
A large centennial banner was dropped from the front of the
airport terminal to unveil the new name in dark blue lettering, along
with a cartoon sketch of Hope's famous profile.
"It's awesome," Dolores Hope said after the new name was unveiled.
"It's just so great looking up at the sign and seeing the Bob Hope
Airport name."
The Hope family thanked officials for honoring the man who made
Toluca Lake his home.
"It's absolutely thrilling to have it here in our own backyard, in
the city Dad loved," Hope's daughter, Linda, said before the
ceremony. "This was like a second home for him."
Several of Hope's friends and fellow entertainers attended the
event, held outside between the terminal and an airport parking
structure.
"He was a bosom buddy," said entertainer and friend Phyllis
Diller. "I was the bosom and he was the buddy. It was a shame he
didn't live to see this. This was his airport."
City officials from Glendale, Burbank and Pasadena who approved
the name change and the licensing agreement to use the Hope name
touted the name change, a process that got underway shortly after
Hope's death on July 27.
"Somehow, I think this name is going to stick," said Airport
Authority President Charles Lombardo, noting the five airport names
that went before it starting with United Airport in 1930.
Glendale City Councilman Dave Weaver, who said he collected
recordings of Hope's NBC shows, agreed.
"What better tribute than to name the airport after him?" he said.
The celebration of 100 years of aviation was not lost in the
ceremony.
"The Wright brothers proved that man could fly, and Bob Hope was
born so he could joke about it," Grant said.
Linda Hope found extra meaning in the day.
"The sun would come out for his [USO] shows, and I have to feel
somehow this is dad smiling on us today," she said.
