Robin Meade Blog

good mornin’ sunshine!

A special Fourth of July salute from Robin Meade

Anchor Robin Meade

Yesterday morning our VIP tour came through the studio like it does every Thursday, and I stopped to chat with the viewers afterward. I was struck by one of them, who said she loved watching our daily “Salute to Troops” segment on “Morning Express with Robin Meade” and she thanked me profusely for showing the segment on air.

I thought to myself, ‘Ah she must know some folks in the military … or maybe her father or grandfather fought on a foreign shore … or maybe she’s a patriotic woman especially feeling the red white and blue headed into the Fourth of July weekend.’

Here’s what I learned about her during our chat: She is not only a viewer grateful to our current troops who are serving in harm’s way, but she is also a veteran and has just retired after 28 years in the service.

28 years!

I told her, in so many words, “Wait a minute … don’t thank me for a TV segment, let the rest of us thank you for your service!”

It’s in these moments we are reminded of the stellar character of our military men and women who are so selfless in doing their job.

So as the rest of us celebrate Independence Day with fireworks, hotdogs and parades….a big thank you and salute to all the servicemembers who can’t be home this holiday weekend … because you are doing your job.

It’s an effort for which we are all grateful. Thank you for your service!

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Military couple’s dream wedding

Christina Fanitzi shares the story of how she and her husband, both servicemembers, were treated to a surprise dream wedding.

Embedded video from CNN Video

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Palin Violates ‘Flag Code’ in Mag Photo

In her photo shoot for a recent Runner’s World story, Sarah Palin appears to have committed an act that could shock Republican supporters: breaking the American “flag code.” The magazine features a picture of Palin leaning on a flag draped over a chair—apparently violating rules against “bunching up” the flag and using it as “drapery,” notes Katy Kelleher for Jezebel.

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Jackson’s Ex-Wife Rowe: ‘I Want My Children’

Debbie Rowe, mother of Michael Jackson’s two eldest children, wants custody—and a restraining order to keep them away from Jackson’s father, she told KNBC-TV of Los Angeles today. “I want my children,” said Rowe, ex-wife of the late singer and mother of Michael Jr., 12, and Paris Michael Katherine, 11. “I am stepping up. I have to.”

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Jackson Memorial Tuesday at LA Arena After Family Service

A memorial service for Michael Jackson will go ahead Tuesday at Los Angeles’ Staples Center next week, CNN reports, and, according to TMZ, will follow a private, family service at a local cemetery. It’s unclear whether Tuesday’s public event, set for 10am, will be at Staples’ 20,000-seat arena or a smaller venue within the complex.

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Emmys Line Up Harris to Host

Neil Patrick Harris is likely to be the host of the next Emmy Awards ceremony, sources tell Variety . The How I Met Your Mother star is in negotiations with CBS and the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences to front the broadcast Sept. 20. Harris was a hit hosting the Tony Awards, and the Emmys are seeking a ratings boost after last year’s low numbers.

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Jacko Had Secret Galpal: Bodyguard

Michael Jackson was not gay—in fact, he had a secret girlfriend, his former bodyguard tells Sky News. “I’m not going to name who she is but I think the family were aware that there was someone special in his life who he loved and adored and had his ups and downs with,” says Matt Fiddes, adding that questionable doctors “have Michael’s blood on their hands” for pushing drugs on him. More:

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Autopsy Rules Out Carradine Suicide

David Carradine’s private autopsy was completed yesterday, and the medical examiner officially ruled out suicide due to the way the actor’s body was bound, Reuters reports. “The cause of death was asphyxiation, an inability to breathe, now why that happened is still what we’re working on,” he said. Elsewhere: Ryan O’Neal barred Griffin, his son with Joanna Moore, from Farrah Fawcett’s funeral Tuesday after he drove 300 miles to attend. “I was here to say goodbye to a person I had lived with and loved for 33 years,” Griffin tells Inside Edition .

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Jackson Memorial Could Cost Fans, LA

As speculation focuses on Tuesday as the date for Michael Jackson’s public memorial in Los Angeles, how the city will pay for crowd control and security is sure to become an issue, the Times reports. Private donors and AEG, which owns Staples Center—the likely venue for such a service—donated money to cover the costs of the Lakers’ recent championship parade and rally. AEG could also sell tickets to the memorial, though price is unclear.

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Michael as Parent: Eccentric But Loving

Michael Jackson loved his children above all else, but what kind of a father was he? J. Randy Taraborrelli, Jackson’s friend for 40 years, explores the life of the Jackson kids in an ongoing Daily Mail series. The children were not allowed to look in mirrors for any length of time, and their toys were thrown away each night for sanitary reasons—but they clearly loved their father.

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