His Academy Award winning performance as “Private Trip” in the critically
acclaimed film, “Glory,” (1989) is one of Denzel Washington’s most memorable
performances. Proud and bold, Trip won the hearts of viewers as the brash but
valiant young Union soldier who impatiently flaunted his self-worth in the
face of officers and his fellow rank and file as well.
Ironically, a widely distributed email has cast Mr. Washington in another
heroic role involving the U.S. military, this time off screen. The email
accurately reports that Denzel Washington visited Brooke Army Medical Center
(BAMC) in San Antonio in 2004. While on base, Denzel Washington visited
one of several home-away-from-home facilities on base called a Fisher House.
These are low-cost facilities operating in the U.S. and abroad where families
stay while visiting their loved ones, U.S. service men and women who have been
injured or suffered illness during duty. The email reports that upon visiting
one Fisher House at BAMC, Denzel Washington was impressed enough to pull out
his check book and write a check to cover the full cost of building a new
facility.
However, according to urban myth web site, local newspapers report
another story. The web site reports that Denzel Washington made a verbal
commitment to contribute to the center during his tour of a Fisher House.
According to a BAMC administrator, shortly thereafter, Mr. Washington
fulfilled his promise, making a “significant” financial donation to the
center. The report goes on to say that celebrities rarely carry their check
books, probably just to avoid awkward situations like the urban myth projects.
The exaggerated email plays to popular culture and its appetite for
fairy tale scenarios that mix flashy wealth, power, false modesty and “stars.”
Some celebrities make ostentatious displays of charity for attention;
comparatively, Mr. Washington’s generosity is a one-act performance
off-camera. It is entertaining to see Denzel Washington perform as a hero on
the big screen. More gratifying to learn that off-screen Denzel Washington is
a patriot and a gentleman.
Editorial
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