My walk today was dedicated in honor of:
Martha Raye, Age 78 of Los Angeles, CA.
Died Oct. 19, 1994
Entertainer, Actress. Born Margaret Yvonne Teresa Reed, she joined her parents’ vaudeville act at three years old. The singer, dancer, actress, comedienne performed on Broadway, in movies and on television. Beginning in 1942, she entertained American troops through World War II, Korea and Vietnam. For nine years she made trips to Vietnam, sometimes staying up to six months at a time and often using her training as a nurse to help with the wounded. She was made an honorary member of the Special Forces units that she often assisted and received her Green Beret and title of Lieutenant Colonel from President Lyndon Johnson. Nicknamed “Colonel Maggie” by the troops, she received the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the highest commendation for civilians, in 1993. In honor of her service to the military special exception was made to policy so that she could be buried in the military cemetery at Fort Bragg.
Raye’s final years were plagued by ill health. She had a history of cardiovascular disease and suffered from Alzheimer’s disease, in addition to losing both legs in 1993 due to poor circulation. While resting in the hospital-type bed in her home, she and her husband Mark Harris (who, because of their controversial May/December relationship, became a frequent guest on the popular Howard Stern radio program) were forced to move into a hotel after their house was destroyed in the 1994 Northridge earthquake.[citation needed] Raye died at age 78 of pneumonia on October 19, 1994.
In appreciation of her work with the USO during World War II and subsequent wars, she was both an honorary colonel in the U.S. Marines and an honorary lieutenant colonel in the U.S. Army granted special consideration to be buried in Arlington National Cemetery. Upon her death, it was instead requested that she be buried with full military honors in the Fort Bragg Main Post cemetery at Spring Lake, North Carolina.
We had a great 5.24 Mile walk this morning. I want to thank my friend Robert for walking with us and I want to thank all those who honked, waved, and saluted in helping me honor this so deserving civilian.
Martha Raye will not be forgotten !
