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,
Mahalo,
Kim in Baltimore
Aloha Spirit in Charm City
Marilyn Monroe in Korea
Public Domain (link)
