Wednesday's Warriors - United Service Organization (USO) 75th Birthday

Tomorrow is the USO's 75th birthday.  From its website,

President Franklin D. Roosevelt sought to unite several service associations into one organization to lift the morale of our military and nourish support on the home front. Those entities – the Salvation Army, Young Men’s Christian Association, Young Women’s Christian Association, National Catholic Community Services, National Travelers Aid Association and the National Jewish Welfare Board - became the United Service Organizations or, the USO.

Bob Hope in WWII 

Public Domain (link)

Today, the USO has continued to support our nation’s military and their families for over seven decades as they defend our country and its freedoms. By providing support to our servicemen and women as they perform their most challenging duties around the world, our credo is to be always by their side.

The reach of the USO’s 160 centers extends to countries on every continent except Antarctica, operated by thousands of staff and volunteers whose goals are to match our service members’ vigilance and provide best-in-class service to those who sacrifice so much for America.

I stopped by the USO at the Tampa International Airport to check my email before my flight home to Maryland.  The Tampa Bay Buccaneers sponsored the refreshment area.

I've also seen Gary Sinese's Lt Dan Band , above, while living in Hawaii.  Here's a list of celebrities who have performed for the USO - do you have a favorite?  I was pleasantly surprised to see Vivian Vance (Ethel from I Love Lucy) on the list.

One randomly selected commenter from this week's blog posts wins a book choice from my convention stash.  Comments are open through Saturday, February 6, 10 pm in Baltimore.  I'll post the winner on Sunday, February 7 at SOS Aloha.

Mahalo,

Kim in Baltimore

Aloha Spirit in Charm City

Marilyn Monroe in Korea

Public Domain (link)

Aloha to Fort George G. Meade

We previously lived on Fort Meade before moving to Hawaii. When we returned to Maryland, we chose to live off post.  Yet we frequent Fort Meade several times a week for the commissary, exchange, and even the bowling alley (where my teens are part of the youth league).    As they bowled, I grabbed my camera ...

From its website (link),

Authorized by an Act of Congress in May 1917, Fort Meade was one of 16 cantonments built for troops drafted for the war with the Central Powers in Europe. The present Maryland site was selected June 23, 1917 because of its close proximity to the railroad, Baltimore port and Washington D.C. The cost for construction was $18 million and the land sold for $37 per acre in 1917. The post was originally named Camp Meade for Maj. Gen. George Gordon Meade, whose victory at the Battle of Gettysburg in 1863 proved a major factor in turning the tide of the Civil War in favor of the North. The 5,400 acres of land on which Fort Meade sits was originally owned by Maj. Samuel Snowden, a Revolutionary War hero.

Fort Meade offers a wide range of housing, including the historic brick homes which are allocated to Colonels.

The brick facades continue at the library, 

historic chapel,

and garrison headquarters. 

Fort Meade is conveniently near BWI airport, where many military personnel arrive from overseas deployment.  Above is Miss Northern Maryland Teen with goodie bags from the USO.

Expect more pictures from Fort Meade in the coming weeks!

Mahalo,

Kim in Baltimore

Aloha Spirit in Charm City