Dated: October 5, 2016
From: Bob Morecook
Subject: Robin Williams
Hi, Jim, Thanks for posting this. This was a very interested read! How the heck did you find this?
NB: Received from Newsy.com. Go to this link to sign up for daily postings about what's in the news. Jim White
The Funny Side of the Vietnam War
The attached is an article about the making of "Good Morning, Vietnam"
from Asia Magazine for July 12, 1987 written by Rick Fredericksen.
From: Jim White [Never sent as a message.]
Date: August 16, 2014
Subject: Robin Williams was in Earl Stages of Parkinson's Disease, Wife Reveals
CNN report on the above.
Jim
Rick Fredericksen Remembers a Day with Robin Williams
This link goes to an Iowa Public Radio program featuring an interview with Rick Fredericksen
talking about his meeting Robin Williams on the set of "Good Morning, Vietnam."
Thanks to Iowa Public Radio for permitting this to be posted.
Click on the "Listen" below the photo and the text.
From: Jim White
Date: August 13, 2014
Subject: Robin Williams
I watched the video of Adian Cronauer's talk about "Good Morning Vietnam" posted by Tom Benintende. If it is the same as the copy you have, then all our problems are solved. One can view the interview by going to this site:
From: Jim White
Date: August 15, 2014
Subject: Robin Williams on Cagle Cartoons
I don't know if any/many of you follow this website--but it is another tribute to Robin Williams.
Is "Nanu, Nanu" from the Mork & Mindy show? It was on in 1978-1982, during which time I was in Japan, Vietnam and then Taiwan so I never saw it.
Jim
Letter from Susan Schneider Williams (Robin Williams' wife) to "Neurology,"
the Official Journal of the American Academy of Neurology
This letter tells of her last days with Robin and his "falling into a living hell" before he died at his own hand.
[Received from Jim White on October 4, 2016.]
From: Jordan St. John
Date: August 13, 2014
Subject: Journalist Recalls Travels with Robin Williams
By Jim Garamone DoD News, Defense Media Activity
WASHINGTON, Aug. 12, 2014 - U.S. service members truly lost a friend with the death of Robin Williams yesterday.
Robin Williams with troops gathered at the Camp Liberty Post Exchange in Baghdad during a USO tour, Dec. 14, 2004.
DoD file photo by U.S. Army Sgt. Dan Purcell
Williams made multiple USO tours to Iraq, Afghanistan, the Persian Gulf, Bahrain, Kuwait and other bases in Southwest Asia to give soldiers, sailors, airmen, Marines and DoD civilians a little taste of home.
It was my privilege to accompany him on many of those tours, and I can attest that he truly loved doing what he was doing and the people he was doing it for.
There really was no difference between Robin on stage and Robin behind the scenes.
On the first trip with Air Force Gen. Richard B. Myers, then-chairman of the Joint Chefs of Staff, the plane stopped at Shannon Airport, Ireland, to refuel. He got off the plane into the midst of about 150 National Guardsmen going home. Robin shook every hand, posed for every picture and ensured the Guardsmen knew he appreciated their sacrifices.
That was Robin.
At the end of every performance -- be it a combat outpost or a forward operating base -- Robin was always the last entertainer to leave. In Iraq, a group of Marines came in from patrol and missed his show. He made it a point to meet with them and give them 20-minutes of fun, even as the chopper's blades were turning to go to the next show.
In Afghanistan, the "clamshell" at Bagram Air Field was a favorite venue for him, and he performed there many times. In 2010, he started the show with "I love what you've done with the place."
He was not a prima donna. One time a sandstorm grounded the party at an outpost near Baghdad. Robin along with everyone else crammed into a small "tin can" to spend the night . The next day his jokes about snoring and gaseous emissions pretty much convulsed everyone.
There was a serious side. He knew what was happening in the areas he traveled. He understood what the men and women he was entertaining did for America each day.
He discussed events in the region with knowledge, but used humor -- even then -- to make his point. Once aboard a C-17, he described the dangers of the terrorist safe havens in Pakistan to New York Times correspondent Thom Shanker and in a way that can't be repeated here, but was right on the money. He also visited enough wounded service members in clinics and hospitals to understand the cost.
One show in 2007 sticks in my mind. He was in the middle of a performance at Camp Arifjan in Kuwait when "To the Colors" and "Retreat" sounded. As one, the audience stood up and turned around to render honors as the flag came down. Robin had no idea what was happening. Members of the audience told him what was happening once it was over.
I asked him after the show what he thought. "Sort of reminds you why we're here, doesn't it," he said.
** Related Sites **
Statement by Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel on the Passing of Robin Williams
Chairman's Facebook Statement on Death of Robin Williams
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** Related Articles **
Hagel Praises Williams as 'True Friend' of Troops
Home Contact AFVN Past Contacts AFVN Roster POWS: The Honored Taps: Those Departed AFVN Organization AFVN Reunions
AFVN History AFVN Photos & Stories AFVN Group Conversations Audio Archives Video Archives AFVN Guest Book
Project Jenny KLIK - 1st Inf Di v Women in Vietnam RELATED-- To AFVN To Saigon To Vietnam Further Afield Index
Robin William meets Koko, the Gorilla
This link goes to a CNN video featuring Robin Williams when he met Koko, the Gorilla.
Koko was famous for being able to understand sign language.
AFVN Group Conversations
From: Jim White
Date: August 15, 2014
Subject: Robin Williams' Daughter
I assume that many and possibly most of you have seen this. But to be sure-- It appears that Robin Williams' daughter was being harassed on Twitter. It also includes a lot of additional links about Robin.
From: Ken Kalish
Date: August 13, 2014
Subject: Robin Williams
Excellent video in this piece. If you watch nothing else, watch the last video about the black dog.
AFN Radio Program by Robin Williams
This link goes to a 15-minute portion of a "Good Morning, Saudi" program
that Robin Williams made for AFN Radio in 1990.
Robin Williams' Ashes Scattered in San Francisco Bay
This link goes to a CCN News report about Robin Williams' ashes being scattered in San Francisco Bay.
It includes about 20 photos of Robin over the years.
Robin Williams' Routine about the American Flag
This link goes to a Youtube video recorded in 1982 of Robin Williams' routine about the American Flag.
It is both funny and respectful.
Facts You Never Knew About Robin Williams
This link goes to website listing eleven relatively unknown facts about Robin Williams.
[Received from Paul Kasper on October 16, 2015.]
Dated: October 5, 2016
From: Rick Fredericksen
Subject: Robin Williams
Jim, I just read this very sad and shocking revelation on Robin Williams death. It is also very scary. As the man who probably did more than anyone to elevate the AFVN brand in the postwar years, I am grateful to finally know what happened to him. I met him and have written about him and this personal story from his loving wife is really a bummer. Just as Robin brought fame to AFVN, perhaps posting this to the AFVN site might help bring awareness to Lewy body disease. Thanks for sharing this!
This link goes to a Public Broadcasting Service on Robin Williams.
[Received from Paul Kasper on October 16, 2015.]
From: Tom Benintende
Date: August 13, 2014
Subject: Robin Williams