Bob Hope - On the road to second century

Let's be honest: If any of us tried to do a comedy routine using the jokes written for Bob Hope, we'd be booed off the stage. But when Hope tosses off the same one-liners, listeners are infected by a condition known as uncontrollable laughter. It's not what he says that makes people chuckle. It's how he does it. Look at the half-grin. Consider the eyes looking off in the distance. See the body posture. Add them up, and you have a comedian.

Last Thursday, Bob Hope celebrated his 100th birthday anniversary. He is ill and frail these days, so the revelry was left to close family and friends -- and millions of fans who are still suffering from that laughing infection.

In addition to being funny, Hope became an icon of the American ideal, even if he was born in England and moved to Cleveland when he was 4 years old. He was patriotic. He entertained U.S. troops in every corner of the globe. He refused to use racy material unsuitable for family audiences. And he remained devoted to his wife of 69 years despite the Hollywood reputation for short-lived partnerships.

Happy birthday, Bob Hope.

You are more than a part of the American fabric. You wove an important part of it.