No one believed Vietnam vet’s 58-year-old ‘Bob Hope’ story — until he spotted proof in a restaurant restroom
Keith Mayle served overseas from 1965 to 1969 as a proud Vietnam Veteran.
The joy of narrating an incredible story with friends is thrilling, but it’s a real letdown when you are unable to back it up with proof, especially when you are telling the truth. That’s exactly the struggle a Vietnam veteran faced when he shared a cherished 58-year-old memory about a Bob Hope show. However, by a comic twist of fate, on September 23, he finally discovered the proof he needed in the most bizarre place one can imagine!
Keith Mayle served overseas from 1965 to 1969 as a proud US officer. After he returned, he held various law enforcement positions in Northeast Ohio, including the Cleveland Police Detective Bureau. He has lived a life of service since enlisting in the U.S. Air Force at the age of 19. As a retiree, he lives with his wife, Cindy, in a quiet place filled with cherished memories. But one of his favorite memories involving iconic actress Raquel Welch, always lacked a photo to back it up.
During his time at the Phan Rang Air Base, where he was stationed, comedian Bob Hope arranged a show in 1967, which had Raquel Welch as one of the performers. Keith often narrated this story of the actress’s show, but unfortunately, he had no proof to back it up until recently, when he found it in the strangest place of all. So where exactly did he find it, you may wonder? "In the restroom," Keith Mayle told ABC News 5 Cleveland. The couple was having lunch at Mission BBQ in Canton when he noticed every wall of the restaurant was filled with military photos to honor the veterans. When he excused himself to use the restroom, he found the missing piece to his puzzle after 58 years! Keith found a photograph of Raquel Welch performing in Vietnam and spotted himself among the crowd. He soon rushed to his wife to tell her, "You're not going to believe this."
With permission from the restaurant, Cindy entered the men’s restroom to see Keith’s discovery. "I'm like, 'There you are, right there,' and he looked at it, he goes, 'Ah.' I said, 'There!' and he was like, 'Oh my gosh!'" Cindy Mayle said. The photo depicts Raquel Welch entertaining troops five decades ago, as it brought back memories of Keith working as a veteran during the 1960s. If it weren’t for the photo, Keith could have never convinced his wife or friends of this cherished memory. According to Constantinos D.Nokiforos and Chryssoula Karakitsou's 2020 study, photographs can serve as powerful narrative tools, aiding in the construction and communication of stories. For example, the research has found that photographs can help individuals revisit lived experiences and re-evaluate the past, thereby shaping their personal narratives.
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