Lamb Chop visits Kadena during Month of Military Child

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Jason Lake
  • 18th Wing Public Affairs
KADENA AIR BASE, Japan (AFPN) --  Children at Kadena Elementary School and Bob Hope Primary School here got a special visit from a hand-size celebrity April 14.

The famous sock puppet, Lamb Chop, gave a special performance for the students courtesy of the United Service Organizations’ celebrity-education program.

Mallory Lewis, daughter of Shari Lewis who first brought Lamb Chop to life nearly 50 years ago, said this was her first time visiting a military base overseas.

To mark the occasion, Lamb Chop performed for the students wearing a custom-fit military uniform complete with a black security forces beret. Ms. Lewis also performed with a new member of the family -- a 5-year-old orangutan sock puppet named Zoey.

When USO officials asked the trio to visit Okinawa to support the Month of the Military Child, Ms. Lewis said she was more than happy to make the 10-hour flight overseas.

"It is such an honor for me to get the opportunity to visit a military base overseas," she said. "Not too many civilians get this kind of opportunity to come onto a base and get this kind of experience."

Ms. Lewis said she brought Lamb Chop here to share a special message for children of military servicemembers.

"I hope that the kids here on base realize that people back home in the (United States) are very grateful for their (mom’s) and dad's service to our country," she said.

The trio also took time to sign autographs for fans young and old April 15.

Crystal Stanton, wife of Navy Cmdr. Randy Stanton who is assigned to nearby Marine Corps Air Station Futenma, got an autograph with her 8-year-old daughter, Caroline.

"I used to watch the show when her mother, Shari, performed," Mrs. Stanton said. "I can still remember the 'Song that Never Ends.'"

In 1998, Shari Lewis died of uterine cancer. Despite the loss of her mother, Ms. Lewis decided to continue the legacy of Lamb Chop. She said she wanted her son to have the same childhood memories she did growing up with the sock puppet.

Mrs. Stanton said she is also glad Ms. Lewis continued on the legacy because now her daughter shares memories of the friendly little puppet as well.

"It’s fantastic that she's keeping the puppets alive because it brings back a lot of good memories," she said.