Quick! Your email says Denzel Washington visited Brooks Army Medical Center and was so worked up about about the Fisher House program that he took out his checkbook and wrote a check right there for the cost of a new Fisher House. On top of that, the email points out that his visit and generosity didn’t make the paper while the anti-war ravings of other celebrities make the front page. Do you forward it on? Tricky tricky.
A little bit of searching turns up some websites claiming it’s “false, but…” and others claiming it’s “true, but…” Chalk that up to the bias of the individual website. You’ll also find a defensive rebuttal by the San Antonio Express News.
Well, obviously the best source for info is the Fisher House themselves. There you can find a Stars and Stripes article, for which another search turns up the original at the Stars and Stripes site itself.
So it’s a good story, but a little confusing. The attacks on media bias are understandable, since celebrity nut jobs do get a lot of press. The attempt to brag about Mr. Washington’s support for the troops and his generosity is certainly warranted. However, blindly forwarding erroneous information hurts rather than helps.
Other annoyances with the email include referring to the Brooke Army Medical Center as “Brooks,” big crazy formatting of the text, underlined text that is not a link, and the obligatory plea to forward it to everyone “This needs as wide a distribution as we can create” (of course in huge, blue underlined text).
So do you just delete it? Ehh… how about changing the Subject: line from “Fwd: Fwd: Re: Denzel Washington” to “Denzel Washington’s True Generosity” and recording the real story? Then forward that to your email friends (and back to whomever sent the flawed original to you). Politely set the record straight. Then if it really moved you, donate to the Fisher House yourself!
According to the Stars and Stripes,
Officials from the Fisher House Foundation want the public to know the Academy Award-winning actor is a generous donor to their efforts. But an e-mail forward which has him single-handedly building new facilities for them is nothing more than an urban legend.
See also articles at the Fisher House website here and here.
Denzel and Pauletta Washington also became members of the Fisher House Board of Trustees.
It should be noted that arch-liberal Garry Trudeau is also donating proceeds to Fisher House. From the Fisher House Angels page: “Mr. Trudeau has donated the advance and all royalties from his newest book to Fisher House Foundation™.”
4 Comments
I’m a Viet Nam Vet. and no matter what I’m thankful that Mr. Washington took not only the time to visit with our returning Heros but donated to help in the building of new facilities for the families of our troops. I whole heartedly believe that this should have made front page news. And don’t turn your head at what he did, because Freedom is solely the possesion of those that had the courage to defend it. Something those that haven’t put their lives on the line to defend out country won’t understand.
Sincerely,
John B. Figueroa
Commander Veterans of Foreign Wars
Pomona Post 2018
101 S. Main St.
Pomona, CA 91766
John, thank you for taking the time to comment at AbsolutelyInbox about Denzel Washington visiting the Fisher House. I wholeheartedly agree that Mr. Washington’s attention and generosity to our troops and veterans is admirable. Frankly, it’s something our military deserves much more of.
I hope the article was clear about that.
Again, thanks. And thanks for serving our country and the VFW. It’s a debt that can’t be adequately repaid.
Yes, I agree with Mr. Figueroa. And, thank you, Mr. Figueroa, for serving our country, and for all that you do in the VFW.
Denzel Washington should, most definitely, be awarded for his generous contribution. He seems like a dignified man, and one who respects his fellow human beings. I also agree with the fact that he, plus his family, took the time to visit with the war veterans. And, whatever amount he donated is just wonderful to this worthwhile organization. I am thinking, can we, as individuals, write to the editors of our local newspapers, publicizing this? Why not?
I am an active member of the Auxiliary of VFW Post #11018, in Bartlett, Illinois. My husband is an active member of the Post, and was one who regenerated it in town. He is a Vietnam veteran.
I have learned so much after being involved with this organization.
Thank you for allowing me to comment.
Regards,
Rochelle
as a vietnam vet i’m very happy to see anyone contribute to our vets. i just wish those with the means, such as mr. washington, would do more.
best,
john
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