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50th Anniversary of the U.S.O. 4/5/91 [OA 6897] [2]
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50th Anniversary of the U.S.O. 4/5/91 [OA 6897] [2]
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Speech Backup Chronological Files
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Originally Processed With FOIA(s):
FOIA Number:
S
S
FOIA
MARKER
This is not a textual record. This is used as an
administrative marker by the George Bush Presidential
Library Staff.
Record Group/Collection:
George H.W. Bush Presidential Records
Collection/Office of Origin:
Speechwriting, White House Office of
Series:
Speech File Backup Files
Subseries:
Chron File, 1989-1993
OA/ID Number:
13750
Folder ID Number:
13750-010
Folder Title:
50th Anniversary of the U.S.O. 4/5/91 [OA 6897] [2]
Stack:
Row:
Section:
Shelf:
Position:
G
26
21
3
3
THE WHITE HOUSE
WASHINGTON
April 3, 1991
MEMORANDUM FOR THE PRESIDENT
THROUGH:
TONY SNOW TS
FROM:
BETH HINCHLIFFE BH
SUBJECT:
U.S.O. LUNCHEON
On Friday, April 5, at 2:40 p.m., you will address 850
attendees at a fundraising luncheon for the U.S.O. Your remarks,
five minutes in length, will be on cards, and include a tribute
to Bob Hope for his "Lifetime Achievement Award".
You will speak later in the evening at a U.S.O. 50th
Anniversary Gala in the Universal Studios Amphitheater.
(Hinchliffe/Blymire)
April 3, 1991 5 p.m.
USOBOB Draft Two
PRESIDENTIAL REMARKS: USO FUNDRAISER LUNCHEON
Los Angeles, CA
Friday, April 5, 1991
It's great to be here with all of you -- and great to be in
Los Angeles. But, you know, this isn't the only place in America
where you can find ideas for movies. Think of it: General Tom
Kelly -- cleverly dealing with Wolf Blitzer's questions -- now
starring in "Dances with Wolf." or Louisiana's Governor Buddy
Roemer -- all these years a Republican trapped in a Democrat's
body -- finally featured in "Awakenings." And maybe when
television covers the Mrs. America Pageant, they can bill it as
"The Battle of all Mothers."
You know, when I try to tell à joke I think of Mr. USO here,
Bob Hope -- and what he said before fearlessly launching a mono-
logue: "If I have to lay an egg for my country -- I'll do it."
Well, Bob, in your love for this country's sons and daugh-
ters serving far from home, you've done everything except lay an
egg. On stage, that is. On the golf course is another matter.
I'm proud to be able to take part in this country's anniver-
sary tribute to the USO -- an inspiring part of our lives for 50
years. Fifty years of volunteers giving our servicemen and women
the precious gift of hometown caring. Fifty years of giving them
and their families support through fleet and airport centers;
family and community centers. Fifty years of orientation and
cultural programs -- and of conversation and dancing. Fifty
years of donuts and milkshakes -- literally a taste of home.
2
Fifty years of celebrity entertainment. That adds up to 50 years
of tremendous volunteer dedication.
The USO has always been special to me. First, because for
years it was a big part of my father's life -- and I'm glad right
now to have the chance to thank you personally for honoring him
with your 1990 Christmas Award.
But the USO also has special meaning for me because I got to
know it first-hand during World War II, when I was grateful for
its touches of home -- home that sometimes seemed so far away.
And now, I receive letters from our troops in the Gulf.
Letters that talk from the heart about how much it means to see
USO visitors -- and USO ice cream -- in that distant desert land.
But -- like most Americans -- my real image of the USO is of
Bob Hope wearing baggy camouflage and swinging a golf club on
stages half a world away. In front of young faces lit up with
laughter -- over even the corniest jokes. Sorry, Bob.
It made you want to cry, seeing those kids able to enjoy a
break from their daily struggles and fears. How many soldiers'
lives he brightened. How many burdens he lifted. And along the
way, millions came to see him as the symbol of America. Well,
Bob, I guess that makes you a new kind of Bald Eagle.
For all these years, Bob's travelled on behalf of all
Americans. We couldn't go abroad to comfort our sons and
daughters so we sent Bob. He's a big chunk of our hearts and our
heartlands. Our gift to those who spoke with their presence and
their lives for principle -- for liberty -- for us.
3
Because whenever freedom has demanded sacrifice our young men
and women have answered its call. And wherever they have gone the
USO and Bob Hope have followed, extending the hand of America.
Bob -- your own name says it all. Your dedication brings us
all hope. We're all pleased to see honored a true Point of Light
in the American constellation of caring. You entertain, inspire,
and move us all.
Congratulations, Bob, on receiving this Lifetime Achievement
Award for nearly five decades of dedication to the ideals of the
USO -- and the USA. May God bless you as you have blessed us.
#
#
#
#
#
FACT-CHECK COPY FACT- COPY
DUE 4pm THURSDAY
(Hinchliffe/Blymire)
March 27, 1991 10 a.m.
USO Draft One
PRESIDENTIAL REMARKS: 50th ANNIVERSARY OF THE USO
April 5, 1991
Universal Amphitheater Los Angeles
You know, James XXX
TOKO-RI XX by asking: "Where did we get such men?" Well, I look out book
at these thousands of faces -- veterans from WWII to the Persian
XX X X X
Gulf -- and all I can do is echo his admiration and pride: "Where
did we get such men and women?" The answer -- from the heart of
America. You are the heart of America.
That's what the USO has known all these years. That the men
and women serving for us so far away are the brothers and sisters
the wrld, w.1067
Kuwait, the USO has known what homesick, weary warriors X have
of our hearts. From XX the Battle X of the Bulge to the skies over
X
X X
Col. Hist
X
needed. X Something very simple. A touch of home.
The most important thing the USO has done for 50 years is to
say to our troops, on behalf of America: hey, we miss you. We're
thinking about you. We care about you. You can't be home with
us, so we're sending a little bit of home to you. Maybe it's a
XXXX
phone call to your folks. Or a friendly stranger just to talk
to. Or Bob Hope in a Vietnamese jungle. hospital. But what we're really
Kevin Me
giving you is a smile and a thought from your grateful country.
The USO sums up what's best about this nation. For the USO
XXXX
is made up of volunteers -- there for the simplest, most loving
reason of all -- because they see a human need and want to help.
The USO is family -- the most important word in the American
2
vocabulary -- our country's family caring about and caring for
each member. And the USO is America -- showing the world the
optimism, decency, and good-hearted generosity that fills this
land from coast to coast.
When our troops went to the Gulf, the USO went with them.
It inspired those left behind to join in its spirit -- the proud,
yellow-ribbon spirit of thinking about every single son,
daughter, brother, sister, father, mother over there. Our heroes
of Desert Storm gave a country back its freedom. Together,
Americans have given a nation back its pride.
Even though today's USO is immense, my father would recognize
it as the same organization President Roosevelt asked him to help
start in 1941. Because for 50 years, the USO has proven you
don't have to wear a star to be a hero. Its volunteers have
lifted the spirits and ennobled the hearts of generations of
soldiers
lonely kids abroad, and their lonely families here at home.
I thought I'd leave you with some words a homesick soldier
in the Saudi desert wrote to Tommy Hearns after he made a
celebrity USO tour a few months ago. Sergeant William Thigpen X
when
said: "It just meant so much to me (that you came), words can't
describe how much you have helped me
may the Lord truly bless
you because the Lord has blessed me through you. "
Taking some license with the words of Lee Greenwood, who's
made many USO tours: "There's pride in every American heart and
it's time we stand and say
...
God Bless the USO."
#
#
#
#
APR-02-'91 17:07 ID:USO WORLD HQ WASH DC TEL NO: 202-638-4716
#090 P01
USO
50
WORLD HEADQUARTERS 601 Indiana Avenue, N.W. Washington, D.C. 20004
(202) 783-8121 FAX: (202) 638-4716
1941 A FIFTY YEARS SERVICE TO SERVICE PEOPLE . 1991
TO FAX WORLD uso, CALL (202) 638-4716 or (202) 638-0901
FAX
DATE:
412191
TO:
Carol Blymine
FROM:
uso. SUSAN
SUBJECT:
AHacheD
# OF PAGES:
$ 10
(including this pagel
MESSAGE:
@@@
PLEASE CONFIRM RECEIPT OF THIS FAX IMMEDIATELY. BY
USING ONE OF THE ABOVE FAX NUMBERS AT WORLD USO.
-
President George Bush
Bob Hope
Admirel William J. Crowe, Jr., USN (Ret.)
Heinz C. Prechter
Honorary Chairman
Ambassador of Good Will
Co-Chairman. USO 50th Anniversary Celebration
CA-Chairman
USA
APR-02-'91 17:08 ID:USO WORLD HQ WASH DC TEL NO:202-638-4716
FROM THE PARATROOPERS
OF THE 82D AIRBORNE DIVISION
DESERT SHIELD 90"
30 Nov 90
All. American Base
Changion Main
Sandi Anabia
Dear Steve Martin + Victoria Tennant,
Hi ! How are you all doing? My name is Todd OBnadovich,
and I'm a Captain with the 82d Anbone Division. How Igot
here fun a small Coal mining form in southeastern Kentury, I'm
still not quite sine.
I wanted to write to both of you and send you a heartfelt
thanks for coming to visit us. I was one of the guys that was
Part of your "Honor Guarel" with the anows through our helmets.
Being longtini fans of your fun the 70's "Saturcly Night
five class, we wanted to do something in honor of unit and to
show our affreciation for you coming. to thats how we came
to be at Changin Main to gut you after you left on lat Brigade
APR-02-'91 17:08 ID:USO WORLD HQ WASH DC TEL NO:202-638-4716
#090 P03
Compound. Would it be possible to get an autographed picture of
both of you? I would sincerely affreciate it if possible!
Things One going OK for us over here. he whe 82d are onom
5th month now. We train continuall in the desert # for a was that
we hope and prag doesn't Come, but he must be ready to fight and down
jobs it need be. to far, the highlight of this deployment has been
your visit to us, and he hope that is the highlight Thanksgiving was
decent, but it Made alot of us homesik. This Christmas will be worse.
This will be My second straight Christmas awg from home and famil. fast
Christmas I was on "Operatin: just Caine" and down in Panama.
Steve and Unitorier, thank you very much for taking the time to come
visit us. your visit was qually appreciated by all of us over here. It game us
something to laugh about and broke the technin of this deployment. To know
that people like you back home care about us Mahes all the hardships
I wish you both a very Many Christmas and a Harry New
year!
Sinceres,
Jochl OBradovich
Captain TODD OBradovich
404.92.6893
HHB DIVARTY
Home
65 Liberty St
82d Abn Division
APO, Newyork
Lynch, Ky
40855
09656
APR-02-'91 17:09 ID:USO WORLD HQ WASH DC TEL NO: 202-638-4716
#090 P04
CITIZENS FOR A FREE KUWAIT
November 2, 1990
Steve Martin and Victoria Tennant
c/o World USO
601 Indiana Avenue, NW
Washington, D.C. 20004
Dear Mr. Martin and Ms. Tennant,
On behalf of Citizens for a Free Kuwait, an organization
established to promote the restoration of the legitimate
government of Kuwait, I would like to thank you for
entertaining the U.S. troops stationed in the Kingdom of Saudi
Arabia.
Kuwait has expressed its gratitude many times to the United
States Government and its people for the overwhelming support
of our threatened sovereignty. My countrymen, who have
endured unspeakable and savage treatment at the hands of
Saddam Hussein, have indeed drawn strength from this support.
But the People of Kuwait also realize our lives are not the
only ones to have been disrupted as a result of the current
crisis--so have the lives of the courageous members of the
United States Armed Forces.
These men and women bravely have come to the defense of Kuwait
and the Gulf region as a whole. The Kuwait Government has
expressed its appreciation to them and has aided their efforts
when possible; however, their lives and duties remain
difficult in the unaccustomed desert, far from home. With
your special talents, you were able to bring joy to their
lives and brighten their day-to-day routines. As is true with
the troops, your visit will be remembered eternally by my
country as yet another gesture of kindness and support.
You both should be filled with pride knowing your gracious
efforts touched the lives of those who have been asked to help
deter one of history's worst perpetrators of unprovoked
aggression. Hopefully, with the continued support of people
like yourselves, the spirits of the troops will remain strong
until they can once again return safely home to their
families.
Respectfully,
H. al-
Dr. Hassan Al-Ebraheem
President
Citizens for a Free Kuwait
Enclosure
P.O. Box 21, Falls Church, VA 22040-0021 * (202) 686-2185/6/7/8 (202) 686-2865 FAX
APR-02-'91 17:10 ID:USO WORLD HQ WASH DC TEL NO: 202-638-4716
#090 P05
CRIVED
NOV
INSURANCE S DEFENSE R
UNITED STATES CENTRAL COMMAND
OPERATION DESERT SHIELD, APO NY 09852
ENTRIER
11 November, 1990
Mr. Steve Martin
C/O Mr. Chapman Cox
USO World Headquarters
601 Indiana Ave Northwest
Washington, D. C. 20004
Dear Mr. Martin:
Please allow me to add my personal thanks to the many I'm sure
you have already received for the handshake/autograph tour of
Operation DESERT SHIELD you recently completed. Your visit meant
a great deal to the thousand of American men and women you shared
your time with during your tour. More eloquent than anything I
could say are the hundreds of pinned up souvenirs we see in
offices, barracks, tents, and everywhere else you stopped. Your
appearances were a huge boast to the morale of our people here,
many of whom (as you know so well) are serving in some very
severe conditions.
It was extremely generous of you to share your valuable time with
us. We hope it was as meaningful for you as it was for us. For
a "wild and crazy guy" you're alright. If we can be of any
future assistance, please let us know.
Sincerely,
Ron W
R. E. WILDERMUTH
Captain, USN
Public Affairs Officer
APR-02-'91 17:10 ID:USO WORLD HQ WASH DC TEL NO:202-638-4716
#090 P06
DEPARTMENT OF THE ARMY
Headquarters, 504th Parachute Infantry Regiment
82nd Airborne Division
APO New York, 09656
29 October 1990
Dear Steve and Victoria,
Thank you very much for coming to Saudi Arabia and
lifting the spirits of the troops who are deployed here. A
lot of Americans have shown their concern for the soldiers by
sending letters and packages. However, the most precious gift
anyone can give is one of themselves. It meant a great deal
to everyone that someone cared enough to visit us in the
trenches. I admire your efforts, however I only wish your
Visit could not have been SO hurried. Soldiers, especially
paratroopers, are unique and are worth knowing as
individuals. Having a famous couple take the time to meet
soldiers raises their self esteem and helps make them feel
special. We may not always be pretty and we'll never be
famous. but we have an immense sense of pride in what we do
knowing full well that we may be called to commit the
unltimate sacrifice.
As the holidays draw nearer I ask that you will continue
to think about us and pray for our safety. This Christmas
will be especially hard for me and my new wife: Cindy. Last
year, after jumping into Panama with the U.S. Army Rangers,
I spent Christmas and New Years in a combat zone. I have no
desire to repeat that two years in a row.
Although I would enjoy it if you could Visit the 82nd
Airborne again, I personally would rather you visit us at Ft.
Bragg, N.C. This is not my first trip to the desert or to
the Middle East, but It There is no place like home". With
God's blessings and a little help from Uncle Sam I hope to
make it home before my first anniversary in May.
Once again thank you for the visit from the "Devils in
Baggy Pants".
STRIKE HOLD!
AUGUSTUS JSH WAY FOUNTAIN III
266-75-6348
Captain, Chemical Corps
HHC, 504th PIR
APR-02-'91 17:11 ID:USO WORLD HQ WASH DC TEL NO: 202-638-4716
#090 P07
CAPSULE HISTORY OF BOB HOPE'S ENTERTAINING U.S. SERVICEMEN
TRIP HISTORY: It all began on May 6. 1941, when Hope, with a group
of Hollywood performers, went to March Field (near)
Riverside, California, to do his first radio show
for airmen stationed there.
For the next seven years Hope broadcast all but two
of his regular radio shows at Army, Navy, Air Force
and Marine bases.
Hope began what was to become a Christmas custom in
1948 when he went to Berlin at the request of (then)
Secretary of the Air Force, Stuart Symington, to put
on several shows for the GI's involved in the airlift.
The following year, Hope and a group of performers
entertained GI's in Alaska and in subsequent years
he went to:
1950 - the Pacific
1951 - 1953 Hope remained in California, but enter-
tained the patients at the Long Beach
Veteran's Hospital
1954 - England
1955 - England and Iceland
1956 - Alaska
1957 - Orient
1958 - Europe
1959 - Alaska
1960 - the Caribbean, including Cuba's Guantanamo Base
1961 - Newfoundland and Greenland
1962 - the Far East
1963 - Europe and North Africa
1964-68 South Vietnam, Thailand, Guam, the Philippines
1969 - West Germany, Italy, Turkey, Thailand, South
Vietnam, Taiwan, Guam
1970 - England, West Germany, Thailand, Vietnam, Korea
and Alaska
1971 - Around the world - Hawaii, Okinawa, Vietnam,
Thailand, Italy, Spain and Guantanamo Bay.
1972 - The Aleutians, Japan, Thailand, the island of
Diego Garcia, South Vietnam, Guam.
1973-82 Hope entertained at military and veterans'
hospitals throughout the United States at
Christmastime.
APR-02-'91 17:11 ID:USO WORLD HQ WASH DC TEL NO: 202-638-4716
#090 P08
BOB HOPE - CHRISTMAS TRIPS
page 2
HERE'S A MORE DETAILED WHO, WHAT AND
WHERE OF THE HOPE CHRISTMAS
FROM 1948 ON
DATES
WHERE
GUEST STARS
.48
Berlin
V.P. Alben Barkley, Irving
Berlin, Elmer Davis, Gen. Jimmy
Doolittle, AF Sec. Stuart Sym-
ington, Irene Ryan, Doris Day,
Jinx Falkenburg, Tex McCrary
149
Alaska
Dolores Hope, Jimmy Wakeley,
Patti Thomas, Geoff Clarkson,
Stuart Symington, Linda Hope,
Tony Hope
$50
(Pacific) Japan &
Marilyn Maxwell, Les Brown, The
Korea
Taylor Maids, Jimmy Wakeley, Hy
Averbach, Judy Kelly, The H1-
hatters
'51
USS Boxer San Diego
Constance Moore & Nicholas Bros.
'52
Long Beach Naval Hosp.
Bob Hope
'53
Letterman Hospital,
Bob Hope
San Francisco, Oakdale
Naval Station
'54
Thule, Greenland
Anita Ekberg, Hedda Hopper,
Goose Bay AB Labrador
William Holden, Robert Strauss,
Jerry Colonna, Margaret Whiting
'55
Keflavik, Iceland
Diana Dors, Joan Rhodes
12/19/56
Anchorage, Fairbanks,
Ginger Rogers, Peggy King, Hedda
12/24/56
Elmendorf AFB
Hopper, Mickey Mantle, The Del
Kodiak Naval Base, Ft.
Rubio Triplets, Jerry Colonna,
Richardson Ladd AFB,
Carol Morris, 56 Voice Purdue U.
Eielson AFB
Glee Club
more.
APR-02-'91 17:12 ID:USO WORLD HQ WASH DC TEL NO:202-638-4716
#090 P09
BOB HOPE - CHRISTMAS TRIPS
page 3
DATES
WHERE
GUEST STARS
12/16/57
Honolulu, Okinawa
Jayne Manafield, Erin O'Brien,
Korea, Tokyo, Kwajal-
Carol Jarvis, Jerry Colonna,
ein, Wake Island,
Hedda Hopper, Mickey Hargitay,
Guam
Arthur Duncan, Les Brown
°58
Azores (Lajes AFB),
Gine Lollobrigida, Randy Sparks,
Port Lyantey, Morocco,
Molly Bee, Elaine Dunn, Hedda
S. Africa, Maron
Hopper, Jerry Colonna, Les
(Spain) AB, Madrid,
Brown
Torvejon (Spain) AFB,
Naples (USS Forrestal)
Frankfurt (Germany)
Vicensa (Italy) West
Berlin, Keflavik (Ice-
land), Prestwick (Scot-
land)
'59
Alaska
Steve McQueen, Neile Adams,
Frances Langford, Jayne Mans-
field, Jerry Colonna, Tony
Romano, bandleader Skinnay Ennis
.60
Caribbean
Zsa Zsa Gabor, Andy Williams,
Jerry Colonna, Anita Bryant,
Janis Paige, Peter Leeds, Les
Brown and band
'61
Greenland, Labrador,
Dorothy Provine, Anita Bryant,
Newfoundland, Iceland
Jerry Colonna, Miss World
(Rosemarie Frankland), Jayne
Mansfield, Les Brown and band
*62
Japan, Korea, Okinawa,
Lana Turner, Janis Paige, Anita
Taiwan, Philippines,
Bryant, Jerry Colonna, Amedee
Guam
Chabot (Miss U.S.A.), Peter
Leeds, Les Brown and band
more
APR-02-'91 17:13 ID:USO WORLD HQ WASH DC TEL NO:202-638-4716
#090 P10
BOB HOPE - CHRISTMAS TRIPS
page 4
DATES
WHERE
GUEST STARS
063
Turkey, Greece, Libya,
Tuesday Weld, Anita Bryant,
Italy
Jerry Colonna, The Earl Twins,
Michele Metrinko (Miss U.S.A.),
John Bubbles, Peter Leeds, Les
Brown and band
.64
Vietnam, Thailand,
Jill St. John, Janis Paige,
Philippines, Guam,
Anita Bryant, Anna Maria Alber-
Korea
ghetti, Jerry Colonna, John
Bubbles, Anne Sidney (Miss World)
Peter Leeds, Les Brown and band
'65
Vietnam, Thailand,
Les Brown, Diana Lynn Batts
Guam
(Miss Va.), Joey Heatherton,
The Nicholas Bros., Peter Leeds,
Anita Bryant, Jerry Colonna,
Carroll Baker, Kaye Stevens (18)
'66
S. Vietnam, Thailand,
Phyllis Diller, Joey Heatherton,
Guam
Vic Damone, Anita Bryant, Diana
Shelton, The Korean Kittens,
Les Brown, Reita Faria (Miss
World) (19)
.67
Vietnam, Thailand,
Raquel Welch, Barbara McNair,
USS Ranger and Coral
Elaine Dunn, Madeleine Hartog-
Sea, Philippine
Bel, Phil Crosby, Earl Wilson,
Islands, Guam, Midway
Les Brown (23)
*68
Japan, Korea, Okinawa,
Ann-Margret, Linda Bennett, The
Thailand, Vietnam,
Golddiggers, Dick Albers,
Guam
Penelope Plummer, Rosey Grier,
Les Brown, The Honey, Ltd.,
Roger Smith, Elaine Dunn (22)
more.
APR-02-'91 17:13 ID:USO WORLD HQ WASH DC TEL NO: 202-638-4716
#090 P11
BOB HOPE 60 CHRISTMAS TRIPS
page 5
DATES
WHERE
GUEST STARS
'69
Berlin, Italy, Turkey,
Neil Armstrong, Connie Stevens,
Vietnam, Thailand,
Romy Schneider, The Golddiggers,
Taiwan, Guam
Teresa Graves, Suzanne Charny,
Eve Reuber-Staier, Les Brown,
Hector and Ted Pierro
'70
England, Germany,
Ursula Andress, Johnny Bench,
Crete, Thailand,
Lola Falana, Gloria Loring,
Vietnam, Korea,
Jennifer Hosten, Bobbi Martin,
Alaska
The Golddiggers, The Dingalings.
'71
Hawaii, Wake, Okinawa
Jim Nabors, Sunday's Child, Vida
Thailand, Vietnam,
Blue, Charley Pride, Jill St. John,
Spain, Gitmo
Jan Daly, Suzanne Charny, Brucene
Smith, The Hollywood Deb Stars,
The Blue Streaks, Rear Adm. Alan B.
Shepard, Bon Ho and Les Brown.
'72
The Aleutians, Japan,
Dolores Hope, Redd Foxx, Lola
Thailand, The Island
Falana, Rudy Carcenas, Miss World
of Diego Garcia, South
(Belinda Green) Fran Jeffries,
Vietnam, Guam
12 American Beauties and Miss Norwa
(Ingeborg Sorensen)
1973 to
At Christmastime for the past ten years, Bob Hope with a
1982
mini-troupe of entertainers have lighted the hearts of
military personal at military and veteran's hospitals
throughout the United States.
1983
Bob Hope with Cathy Lee Crosby, Vic Damone, Ann Jillian,
George Kirby, Brooke Shields and Miss U.S.A., Julie
Hayek entertained servicemen and women on board U.S.
Navy ships in the Mideast off Lebanon. Hope also
helicoptered into the U.S. Marine compound in Beirut
Christmas day and traded quips with the marines there.
1987
Hope flying around the world in eight days, entertaining
servicemen in the Pacific, Indian and Atlantic oceans,
as well as in the Persian Gulf on Christmas day, at
bases and aboard ships. With him are Barbara Eden, Lee
Greenwood, Connie Stevens and her daughters Joely and Tricis
Fisher, Miss USA Michelle Royer, 8 dancers Support crew
includes Barbara Eden's son, Mathew Ansara, and Miranda
Hope, 17, Bob's granddaughter.
Contact:
My
1990 - Rosemary Clooney, Mona Gridt (Miss universe) Brooke
Ward Grant
England,
Shields Yakov Smirnaff, La Toyor Jackson
Germany, Russia.
Hope Enterprises, Inc.
Dec. 1990- Trohrain, Saudi crabia Bench Rota Tipol (Sea
aanm
5. NOV 90
Dear Mr. Martin;
I know you probably won't even get to see this
letter, but if you do, I want to let you know how much
visit last october. Thanks.
we the soldiers of the 82ND Airborne Division appreciate your
Stand on stage beside you. I know its impossible to
Personally, for me, was a moment I will never forget to
remember every face but 1 was one of the musicians
that was playing the trumpet at your arrival when
you came to our compound and that key that read BOB Hope
was given to you.
Steve Martin
I should (and I think I speak in behalf of mostly
all of us soldiers) that your presence simbolized the support
that the outside world collectively IS giving US. That day
you gave us a big morale boost.
Thanks again to you and your lovely wife for such
visit. keep up the good work in the movies you make
because we'll be following you all the way.
Have a nice airborne day!
Prane
SGT Isaac Ruiz
82ND ABN DIU Band
APO NEW york
09656
HE MAGAZINE OF
MERICAN VETERANS
THE NATIONAL
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USO commemorates half a century
of service to America's military
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CHRISTMAS TO LOVED ONES
ANK GOD FOR ROB HOPE
DEPARTMENT
THE FIRST FIFTY
Peacetime, wartime, overseas or
stateside-it doesn't matter, the
USO is always there to give GIs-
A
TOUCH
OF
HOME
by Amy E. Adler
Military life teems with acronyms, where the likes of ASAP and SNAFU can
USO*
dominate an entire dialogue. And while many of these terms have since passed
into the civilian world, perhaps none is more universally known or fondly recalled
THE FIRST FIFTY
by Americans than the letters USO.
Mere mention of USO can conjure up images of Bob Hope entertaining troops in Vietnam, can-
teens serving up hot coffee and doughnuts during World War II, or volunteers translating "Guten
Tag" for soldiers stationed today in Germany.
The United Service Organizations (USO) has long served the needs of America's armed forces at
home and abroad. In more than 3,000 communities, USO centers have literally become homes away
from home for GIs around the world. And as this dynamic organization prepares to celebrate its
50th anniversary with everything from glittering galas to commemorative stamps, people are reminded
that it still provides a much-needed service for today's peace-time military.
A non-profit organization relying on private funding, the USO was formed in response to a 1941
request from President Franklin D. Roosevelt that civilian organizations handle the on-leave recrea-
tion of America's rapidly growing wartime forces. His call to action led six civilian agencies-the
National Catholic Community Services, National Jewish Welfare Board, the National Travelers Aid
Association, The Salvation Army, Young Men's Christian Association (YMCA) and the Young
Women's Christian Association (YWCA)-to pool their resources and form a new organization. Its
purpose: to coordinate services that were neither duplicated nor overlooked.
THE NATIONAL AMVET
the USO's World Board of Governors
all-star television special to be aired
From Bing Crosby crooning in Europe to
to those who dish up Thanksgiving
later this year. Already in full swing are
Marilyn Monroe here signing autographs
dinners-assist a world-wide staff of
the 50th Anniversary Galas. Each gala
in Korea, USO celebrity tours have been
750 in providing services. USO World
raises funds and promotes goodwill by
a tradition in the military since Bob
Hope kicked off the first one in 1941.
Headquarters in Washington, D.C.,
way of support from local military and
acts as the facilitator for all programs,
business communities. Successful galas
of organizations and individuals to sup-
setting policy, mapping strategies, and
have already been held in Detroit,
port its long-term activities.
providing training and technical assis-
Tampa, and Washington, D.C., and will
Over the years, though, the USO's
tance. It also produces the overseas
be held in cities such as Omaha and
basic philosophy has never changed.
celebrity entertainment tours and
Orlando, with others to be determined.
Recalls Chester C. Coats of Wasco,
television shows for Armed Forces
Retired Adm. William J. Crowe, Jr.,
Oregon: "I well remember the kind and
Television (AFRTS).
co-chairman of the celebration, echoes
generous attention we received at the
Throughout the eighties and into the
the sentiments of others who have been
USO clubs. At the time we sort of took
nineties, USO has increased the scope
involved with USO. "No organization
them for granted, but now I realize
of its peacetime services and has
has done more for the young men and
what a wonderful thing it was. We were
expanded its family focus to meet the
women in uniform and their families
young, lonely, often broke and sorely
changing composition of America's
than the USO," said the former chair-
in need of a touch of home. We got it
armed forces.
man of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.
at the USO." Maybe that hallmark is
Celebration of USO's 50th year of
The 18-month anniversary celebra-
what makes USO "America's favorite
"Service to Service People" is sprinkled
tion aims to strengthen public aware-
acronym."
with exciting projects, including a USO
ness and understanding of the USO,
book, commemorative paintings, a
particularly among the post World War
Amy E. Adler is manager of publica-
special song ("Always Home") and an
II generation, and to build a network
tions and information for World USO.
SPRING 1990
THE FIRST FIFTY continued
Bob Hope, the current "Ambassador
service families share the same con-
of America's entire overseas force was
of Goodwill," took his still-popular USO
cerns as other American families.
stationed in Vietnam, where ultimately
Christmas show to Vietnam for the first
Seventy-five USO family and com-
more than 5,500 USO performances
time in 1964 and the annual event con-
munity centers help military families
took place.
tinued well into the next decade. The im-
adjust to their new surroundings. In
In the early seventies when the draft
portance of Hope's Christmas shows
addition to providing information on
ended, the need for USO was ques-
can never be exaggerated. Navy wife
child care co-ops, employment oppor-
tioned. In 1974, United Way of
Julie McLaughlin, a new mother, wrote,
tunities, parenting, nutrition, budget-
America and DOD conducted a major
"Not only was [your show] entertaining,
ing and recreational programs, many of
review of USO programs and services
but I got to see my husband for the first
the centers offer orientation programs
around the world. Their conclusion: "If
time since August. It's hard to be away
to promote resources within the local
there were no USO, another organiza-
for SO long, but you made it easier for
civilian community-a service that
tion would have to be created
isola-
me. I had a baby girl
and he hasn't
fosters positive interaction between
tion of the military from civilian influ-
seen her yet. Bringing a piece of home
local citizens and their American
ence is not, we believe, in the interest
was the best gift my husband could
military quests. A Japanese tea cere-
of this nation."
have gotten."
mony class taught at the Kadena Air
With the blessing and backing of
USO entertainment in the seventies
Base (Okinawa) USO, for example,
DOD, the USO was launched into a
and eighties retained its stellar reputa-
demonstrates that community involve-
new era of peacetime service. Programs
tion while increasing its range. Super-
ment programs benefit and broaden the
were initiated to meet new needs and
star rock groups Kansas, The Doobie
horizons of all involved.
policies developed to alleviate military-
Brothers, and Cheap Trick performed.
community frictions. Despite these
Jazz legend Louie Bellson, R&B group
improvements, the service was $1.3
Atlantic Starr and movie stars Kris
million in debt when current USO presi-
Kristofferson, Brooke Shields and
If there was one
dent Charles T. Hagel, a decorated
Chuck Norris (himself an Air Force vet)
Vietnam veteran, took office in 1987.
volunteered to entertain, together with
type of recreation
Through his guidance and with a
other performers like Lee Greenwood,
the USO excelled
more aggressive marketing and fund-
Ann Jillian, Jim Nabors and John
raising approach, the USO recovered
Denver. Of course, no USO Camp Show
at, it was celebrity
and went on to end 1988 with a $1.8
would be complete without beautiful
million surplus. Hagel saw to it that
women such as Miss USAs Michelle
entertainment.
facilities were upgraded and programs
Royer, Courtney Gibbs and Gretchen
rejuvenated throughout the system
Polhemus, or the Dallas Cowboy
and that the USO's tour program,
Cheerleaders. A whole host of country
through corporate sponsorships,
music stars-including Loretta Lynn,
Even with all its programs and the
became financially self-sufficient.
Randy Travis, Rickey Skaggs, Mickey
hard work of volunteers, USO has not
Since then, he has been appointed by
Gilley and the Judds-has also been
always had the bright future it enjoys
President George Bush to be the execu-
part of the show.
now. Although it could claim more than
tive director of the 1990 Economic
Although celebrity entertainment
1.5 million volunteers at the end of
Summit of Industrialized Nations in
shows are still effective morale
World War II, by 1947 they had all but
Houston this July, and has received the
boosters, and remain the best-known of
disbanded. The organization was able
Secretary of Defense Medal for
the USO offerings, the organization
to resume work for the Korean War,
Outstanding Public Service.
continues to provide other vital ser-
but the 1953 truce only increased the
With the signing of a new Memoran-
vices. There are 36 USO airport centers
need for services as more than a million
dum of Understanding between USO
to help military travelers with flight
members of the armed forces remained
and DOD in 1987, USO now serves as
connections, language translations,
stationed overseas. Acting on a Depart-
the principal channel representing
long layovers and missing luggage.
ment of Defense (DOD) request to con-
civilian concern for the U.S. armed
And at 37 locations in the Mediterra-
tinue service for the military overseas,
forces worldwide. The agreement
nean, Pacific, Atlantic and the Carib-
USO expanded gradually around the
authorizes USO, under the auspices of
bean, USO fleet centers offer a range
globe. The evolution, however, was not
the president and the secretary of
of services including information on
without challenges.
defense, to play an active role in coor-
hotels, affordable shopping and cur-
With the onset of the Vietnam War,
dinating local civilian community
rency exchange. Such support is
USO was to locate centers in combat
resources and fostering general civilian
especially vital in places without
zones for the first time in its history.
interest in the welfare of armed forces
American bases such as Haifa, Israel
The first club in Vietnam opened in
pesonnel and their families.
and Cannes, France. Here, the centers
Saigon in 1963 and was followed by 17
To accomplish its mission, the USO
act as a liaison between host com-
others. Six more in Thailand served as
operates 150 centers worldwide, with
munities and visiting ships.
many as a million "customers" a
82 overseas in eight countries. Some
No matter where they are stationed,
month. At the war's height, 40 percent
20,000 volunteers-from members of
THE NATIONAL AMVET
Jim Kenah
Six months before the U.S. invasion of Panama, singer Lee Greenwood entertains Marines stationed there in June 1989. An active sup-
porter of veterans, the popular Greenwood received the AMVETS Silver Helmet Americanism Award in 1988 for his efforts.
That organization became the channel for community participation throughout World War II as
U.S. troop-strength grew from 50,000 to 12 million and with it, the corresponding need for a variety
of services. USO facilities quickly opened in such unlikely places as churches, log cabins, museums,
castles, barns, and yacht clubs. Even railroad sleeping cars were transformed into places where GIs
could write letters home or see a movie. At its peak in 1944, the USO had more than 3,000 clubs
offering programs as varied as the places that housed them. While most aimed at providing off-duty
recreation for the young male service member, a number were geared to women in uniform, and still
others provided child care for military wives.
If there was one type of recreation the USO excelled at, it was celebrity entertainment. Here the
organization truly made history. From 1941 to 1947, USO Camp Shows, Inc., presented an amazing
428,521 performances. In 1945, curtains all over the world were rising 700 times a day for audiences
as large as 15,000 or as small as 25 on some outposts. All told, more than 7,000 "soldiers in grease-
paint" traveled overseas, among them some of the world's biggest movie stars.
When the United States entered the Korean War, USO regrouped and eventually opened 294 clubs
worldwide. USO Camp Shows once again performed thousands of times for battle-weary troops there
and for the wounded in the evacuation hospitals in Japan. By 1952, USO entertainers were perform-
ing every day in Korea.
continued
SPRING 1990
AIRPORT CENTERS
World USO operates Airport Centers at international terminals and Military
Aircraft Command (MAC) terminals around the world. Volunteers at these
centers help military personnel and their families with such problems as
language difficulties, meeting family members, flight delays or cancella-
tions, missing luggage, transportation connections, or passport and visa
questions. Many centers also provide around-the-clock information and
conveniences for travelers at no charge. USO Airport Centers also offer in-
fant nurseries, temporary rest/sleeping areas, and telephone services.
FLEET CENTERS
USO Fleet Centers offer assistance to U.S. Navy and Marine personnel and
their families in more than 10 countries from the U.S. to Italy to Japan.
These USO Fleet Centers offer language assistance, information on hotels,
travel, transportation, currency exchange, maps, telephones, and other
services to facilitate integration into the foreign environment. These serv-
ices are often provided on very short notice as ships arrive in port unan-
nounced. Other programs provided by USO Fleet Centers include planning
opportunities for fleet personnel to participate in community projects.
FAMILY AND COMMUNITY CENTERS
USO Family and Community Centers
provide access to important information
on diverse subjects including living on the local
economy, finding day care, budgeting, housing, job
hunting for dependents and spouses, and crisis
intervention. These centers are also the focal points for
USO recreational activities, offering military families
opportunities to make constructive and satisfying use
of leisure time. These centers also offer the military
communities the chance to form a stable support system
with each other and USO volunteers.
ORIENTATION AND INTERCULTURAL PROGRAMS
USO overseas programs offer informational and
instructional opportunities in language, history, tourism,
and culture which help young Americans overseas learn
to enjoy and appreciate their new surroundings. By
providing interaction between military families and
members of the host communities, USO orientation and
intercultural programs bring people together in a spirit of
cooperation in a pleasurable, informal setting. USO helps to foster
better global understanding among all nations by allowing the
citizens to teach one another and learn from these experiences.
CELEBRITY ENTERTAINMENT
For 50 years, top-name entertainers have donated their time and talent to
help USO bring a bit of home to those dedicated men and women serving
their country overseas. A wide variety of entertainers - from rock'n'rollers
to country stars, from comedians to sports celebrities - have volunteered
to tour for the USO. As different as each USO tour may be, each serves a
common purpose: to entertain, uplift morale, and reinforce the ties to
home and country. Focusing on remote and isolated installations, USO
shows demonstrate to everyone serving on military duty that America
stands behind them, supports them, and appreciates their sacrifice.
Still
The USA Needs the USO.
The USO is a civilian, nonprofit charitable organization
devoted exclusively to serving the special needs of
America's transient military personnel and families. For
nearly 50 years, this congressionally chartered agency has
provided programs and services in support of the now
more than 5 million active duty service men and women
and their family members around the world.
Operating at more than 160 locations overseas and
stateside, USO helps bridge the differences
between the military and the civilian host
community, fostering relations that reflect
positively on all levels of community
life.
Since
the
first days of
USO service dur-
ing World War II, vol-
USO
unteers have provided
the resources that enable
1941 . FIFTY YEARS SERVICE TO SERVICE PEOPLE . 1991
USO to continue its civilian
commitment to the U.S. mili-
tary personnel worldwide. All
USO efforts include volunteers,
from the management level of
the USO World Board of Gover-
nors to the delivery of the myriad
of programs and services in the
field. USO is not part of the
U.S. government and receives
no direct government fund-
ing. Chartered by Congress,
USO
has been an independent agency
since its
foundation in 1941, remaining
solely reliant on
the generosity of the American public for funding
through individual and corporate donations, United Way,
and the Combined Federal Campaign. As USO
celebrates its 50th anniversary in 1991, it continues to
provide a variety of services to U.S. military men, women,
and their families around the world. USO Centers
became a "home away from home" for soldiers of three
wars, but now - more than ever - the USA still needs the
USO, and the USO needs you.
JACKSONVILLERU
The USO Germany Special Olympics.
-d
ec-
gave
Steve Martin jokes with troops
around a tank, Saudi Arabia.
EUSO:
e Division
Soldiers in Operation Desert
Shield are treated to a USO show.
R&B artist David Peaston with an audience of service members and their
families in Turkey, October 1990.
Washington Redskin Mark May
visits a USO day care
EUSO:
program.
SE
And the USO Needs You.
his
the troops to tour smiling rsian the during Gulf.
Jay USO Lenanksgiving
Pumpkin pies from the Korea USO Thanksgiving at the DMZ.
"Dear much
face a
Sixildren's Annual Day Camp Schwab USO Okinawa
but aying \ day the is
the us a Isaac Air
82nd
there can't imagine waiting into port a tremendous without Pieno officer, a USS uservice." Forrestal
Waiting USO bus to the Seoul Olympics. there, L. always always helpful, of Staff
USO
50
LOCATIONS
1941 FIFTY YEARS SERVICE TO SERVICE PEOPLE 1991
USO Airport Centers
USO Fleet Centers
USO Family and Community Centers
USO Commercial
USO MAC
CARIBBEAN
Stateside
Overseas
Airport Facilities
Terminal Facilities
St. Croix
CALIFORNIA
BAHRAIN
CALIFORNIA
St. Thomas
CALIFORNIA
Long Beach
Manama
USO LAX Jimmy Doolittle Center
Travis Air Force Base
CORSICA
Los Angeles (MEPS)
FRANCE
Los Angeles International Airport
Fairfield
Ajaccio
San Diego
Paris
Oakland International Airport
DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA
Calvi
San Francisco (Presidio)
San Francisco International Terminal
GERMANY
Andrews Air Force Base
FRANCE
COLORADO
San Diego International Airport
Baumholder (4)
Washington, D.C.
Antibes
Colorado Springs (3)
Frankfurt
COLORADO
GERMANY
Brest
DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA
Fulda
Colorado Springs Municipal Airport
Rhein Main Air Base
Cannes
Washington, D.C. (5)
Hanau (2)
DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA
Ramstein Mac Terminal
Cavalaire Sur Mer
FLORIDA
Kaiserslautern (4)
Washington National Airport
Cherbourg
GUAM
Mainz
Dunkerque
Ft. Lauderdale
FLORIDA
Andersen Air Force Base
Golfe Juan
Jacksonville Mayport
Mannheim
Miami International Airport
HAWAII
Jacksonville NAS
Stuttgart (2)
La Havre
Orlando International Airport
Hickam Air Force Base
Marseille
Miami (2)
Wiesbaden (7)
Pensacola Airport
Honolulu
Menton
Orlando (2)
GUAM
GEORGIA
Nice
Pensacola
Piti
JAPAN
Hartsfield International Airport
St. Cyr
St. Augustine
Kadena Air Base
ICELAND
Atlanta
St. Maxime
Okinawa
GEORGIA
Keflavik
St. Nazaire
GERMANY
Yokota Air Base
Atlanta (MEPS)
St. Raphael
ITALY
Frankfurt International Airport
Mainland Japan
Warner Robins
St. Tropez
Naples (2)
HAWAII
KOREA
HAWAII
Séte
Rome
Osan Air Base
Waikiki Beach
Honolulu International Airport
Six Fours les Plages
KOREA
Seoul
ILLINOIS
Théoule Sur Mer
ILLINOIS
Camp Casey
O'Hare International Airport
PHILIPPINES
Toulon
Chicago (3)
Pusan
Chicago
Clark Air Base
Villefranche
MASSACHUSETTS
Seoul
INDIANA
VIRGINIA
ISRAEL
Boston
OKINAWA, JAPAN
Indianapolis International Airport
Norfolk NAS
Ashdod
NEW YORK
Camp Foster
Haifa
KENTUCKY
WASHINGTON
New York City
Camp Hansen
Patton, Standiford Field
McChord Air Force Base
ITALY
Watertown
Camp Kinser
Louisville
Seattle
Bari
NORTH CAROLINA
Camp Schwab
Brindisi
Kadena Air Base
KOREA
Jacksonville
Catania
MCAS Futenma
Kimpo International Airport
Genoa
OHIO
SAUDI ARABIA
Seoul
La Spezia
Cleveland (MEPS)
Dharan
MASSACHUSETTS
Livorno
PENNSYLVANIA
UNITED ARAB
Logan International Airport
Messina
Philadelphia Naval Base
EMIRATES
Boston
Naples
PUERTO RICO
Dubai
Palermo
MISSOURI
San Juan
Lambert Field, St. Louis
Rapallo
San Remo
TENNESSEE
NEW YORK
Siracusa
Memphis/Millington
Pan Am Worldport Terminal
Taranto
TEXAS
JFK Airport, Jamaica
Taormina
Corpus Christi
TWA Terminal
Trieste
San Antonio
JFK Airport, Jamaica
Venice
VIRGINIA
OHIO
KOREA
Virginia Peninsula (2)
Hopkins International Airport
Chinhae
Brookpark (Cleveland)
WISCONSIN
Inchon
Port Columbus International Airport
Milwaukee
Pohang
Columbus
Pusan
PENNSYLVANIA
Seoul
Philadelphia International Airport
MONACO
SOUTH CAROLINA
Monte Carlo
Charleston International Airport
OKINAWA, JAPAN
TEXAS
Kin Red Beach
Houston Intercontinental Airport
Naha Port
White Beach
VIRGINIA
Patrick Henry International Airport
PHILIPPINES
Norfolk/Newport News
Subic Bay
WASHINGTON
PUERTO RICO
SEA-TAC International Airport
Roosevelt Roads
Seattle
San Juan
USO World Headquarters
601 Indiana Avenue, N.W.
Washington, DC 20004
(202) 783-8121
FAX (202) 638-4716
THE NEWSLETTER OF WORLD USO
SUMMER / FALL 1990
America's Spirit
USO
ISSN No. 0886-1996
1941
FIFTY YEARS SERVICE TO SERVICE PEOPLE
1991
USO Announces Its Response To Persian Gulf Crisis
American International Group, Anheuser-Busch, The Coca-Cola Company, and AT&T Contribute $500,000
Each to Gulf Crisis Fund
ugust 24th, USO announced plans to provide morale support
East. USOs in Houston; Dade County (FL); Colorado Springs; Jackson-
programs and services to American troops being deployed to the Middle
ville, NC; and USO of Metro Washington are just a few providing a
East and their families who remain in the U.S.
network of support to these spouses, many who face unfamiliar and
"While we realize that the immediate focus is to move troops
difficult circumstances. This network includes weekly group meet-
and supplies to the Gulf region, we have offered our support directly
ings, babysitting co-ops, hotlines-just to provide someone to talk
to President Bush, Secretary Cheney, and General Schwarzkopf, letting
to, and job seminars.
them know that we are ready to respond immediately," said Chapman
Cox, President of World USO.
COMMUNICATIONS
USO will focus on celebrity entertainment; temporary USO facilities
MAIL - ddresses have been established where the general public
and fleet centers; communicating with the troops; and family-oriented
can send mail (letters only, weighing twelve ounces or less) not addressed
social support services.
(See Persian Gulf Crisis page 10)
"The troops over there are living under some very harsh condi-
tions-Americans see that on the news every night. Through the USO,
citizens back home can show they care," said Kevin McCarthy, Executive
Producer.
USO Welcomes New President
ENTERTAINMENT
RADIO - The USO Morning Show Network, comprised of 75 to 100
participating nationwide, will send troops' favorite morning
radio shows to a tape library in the Middle East, allowing them to
listen to news from home mixed with caller messages and comments
from their hometown radio personalities. WAVA-FM in Washing-
USO
ton, D.C. is the flagship station for this promotion. Listeners can also
make contributions to USO by calling 1-900-820-2USO. The stations
will promote the number during their broadcasts.
LIVE SHOWS - USO is taking a number of calls daily from perform-
ers who have said they would travel to the Middle East. "The response
from the entertainment community has been exceptional. Once the
logistical movement of troops and supplies is complete, we will begin
to focus on who will go and when," said McCarthy. USO will defi-
nitely send shows for Thanksgiving and Christmas, if not sooner. "If
the troops are still there, it'll be showtime," McCarthy added.
Chapman B. Cox, President, World uso and Gen. Bernard W.
Rogers, USA (Ret.), Chairman, uso World Board of Governors.
MOVIE PREMIERES - USO is teaming up with West Coast Video
(Photo by David Hathcox)
International to make videotapes of popular new movies available
for troop audiences in the Middle East.
Mr. Cox began his term as president of World
USO on May 1, 1990.
SOCIAL SUPPORT AND OTHER SERVICES
uso CENTERS AND FLEET OPERATIONS - USO will mobilize
A special "hello" to all of our readers. It is a great honor to greet
staff and resources from its Pacific and Europe operations to a loca-
you as the new President of the USO. I'd like to take this
tion proximate to the Middle East. Fleet centers will serve those on
opportunity to tell those of you I have not met a little about my
ships who come into port to refuel and R&R. USO also plans to set
background and what I see for the future of USO.
up hotlines at these centers to field inquiries from concerned fami-
As many of you know, I have served as a member of the USO
lies.
World Board of Governors since 1986, most recently as Chair-
man of the Program and Council Relations Committee. My work
SPOUSE SUPPORT GROUPS - Many stateside USOs have set up
(See Mr. Cox page 10)
support groups for the spouses of service personnel sent to the Middle
1
Budweiser USO Scholarship Winners Announced
T he Budweiser/ Scholarship Committee has selected the first
overseas during the scholar's secondary school years. The scholar-
group of scholarship winners. The winners were chosen from
ship awards were based on Scholastic Aptitude Test scores; grade
hundreds of applicants to each receive a $1,000 scholarship for
point average and class rank; an essay on the topic of personal
college in the 1990-1991 school year.
development through extra-curricular activities; and awards, hon-
The 25 scholarships of $1,000 each have been awarded to family
ors, and recommendations of school officials.
members of U.S. military personnel, most of whom have served
"We congratulate all the recipients on being members of the first
class of the Budweiser/USO Scholarship program,"
said USO World President Chapman B. Cox. This is
Scholarship Committee Winners
the first year of this scholarship program, made
possible by a generous endowment from Anheuser-
Recipient
High School
Service Affiliation
Busch to World USO.
Denise M. Anaskevich
Lafayette (Lexington, KY)
USMC
"We are pleased to be part of this worthwhile
Andrew E. Benzing
Heidelberg American (Germany)
USA
program which contributes to the education of these
Cecilia G. Brown
West Carteret (Morehead City, NC)
USMC
deserving young men and women," said Patrick T.
Mark A. Cantrell
Academy of Richmond County (Augusta, GA)
USA
Stokes, President of Anheuser-Busch, Inc.
Ryan A. Cvancara
Lakenheath High School (England)
USAF
Zachary P. Dziedzic
Lewis-Palmer HS (Monument, CO)
USAF
Brenda A. Eguilos
Ontario High School (Ontario, CA)
USN
Mark R. Flaherty
Bartlett HS (Anchorage, AK)
USAF
Floyd D. Gladden
Quantico HS (Quantico, VA)
USMC
Jennifer R. Holdcraft
Ramstein American HS (Germany)
USAF
Dorothy M. Kalyanapu
York High School (Yorktown, VA)
USA
Mei Lon Kavanagh
Adm. Arthur W. Radford (Honolulu, HI)
USAF
Linda K. Lee
Flour Bluff (Corpus Christi, TX)
USCG
Mathew E. McQuinn
Ledyard High School (Ledyard, CT)
USN
Aurora M. Moya
Nile C. Kinneck HS (Yokohama, Japan)
USN
Kristin R. Olson
Woodbridge (Woodbridge, VA)
USAF
George W. Scholssnagle III
Atholton (Columbia, MD)
USAF
Shawn M. Smith
Norcom HS (Portsmouth, VA)
USN
Timothy J. Sovich
Winnacunnet HS (Hampton, NH)
USAF
Christina Sparn
Brooklyn Technical (Brooklyn, NY)
USCG
During an awards ceremony on July 17, 1990, Captain
Heather Stark
A.J. Diamond HS (Anchorage, AK)
USN
Timothy J. Haynes, Commanding Officer, Navy Recruit-
Michael D. Terrell
Okinawa Christian School (Japan)
USAF
ing District Los Angeles, presented Brenda A. Eguilos
Julian P. Villegas
Summerville HS (Summerville, SC)
USN
with a certificate recognizing her as a recipient of a
$1,000 academic USO/Budweiser Scholarship. Brenda's
John T. Walton
Ryan Academy (Norfolk, VA)
USN
father, machinery repairman 1st Class Petty Officer
Jill Williford
Hampton Roads Academy (Newport News, VA)
USAF
Bonifacio L. Eguilos, is in the center. (U.S. Navy photo by
PH2 John Godfrey.)
Country Pride Chicken Contributes $75,000 to World USO
Funds Will Make Possible USO/Lee Greenwood Tour in 1991
Country Pride Chicken, a division of the conglomerate ConAgra,
has stepped up to become the first-ever food sponsor of USO over-
seas celebrity tours. The company has given $75,000 to World USO
to sponsor an upcoming 50th Anniversary World tour by coun-
try star and USO tour veteran Lee Greenwood.
Clyde Sasser, President of ConAgra Broiler Company, presented
a check to USO during Lee Greenwood's sold-out 4th of July con-
cert in El Dorado, Arkansas, headquarters for Country Pride.
"While most of us are celebrating Independence Day, millions
of our Armed Forces personnel are on duty working straight through
USO
the day to keep our country free. By sending Lee to entertain our
Clyde
service men and women, we are showing them our appreciation
and well-deserved thanks," said Sasser.
Monies for the sponsorship came from a promotion in which
Country Pride distributed a cents-off coupon on its fresh chicken
and a recipe for "Firecracker Chicken." USO received ten cents
Country Pride Chicken, a division of ConAgra Corporation, contributed
for each coupon redeemed.
$75,000 to World uso in honor of USO's 50th Anniversary. The funds
The funds will sponsor Greenwood's 1990 Christmas USO tour.
will sponsor a uso 50th Anniversary celebrity tour featuring country
Lee has been touring for USO since he was 17, when he went on
star and uso tour veteran Lee Greenwood. Pictured (left to right) are
a tour to Alaska, and in fact, was there when his first son was born.
Kevin J. McCarthy, Director of Marketing and Communications for
In 1989 he performed for troops in Panama and the Northeast Com-
World USO; Clyde Sasser, President of ConAgra Broiler Company; and
Lee Greenwood.
mand in two separate USO tours.
2
USO French Riviera Celebrates Bastille Day In Gala Style
Monsieur Michel Mouillot, Mayor of Cannes, welcomes John Forsythe on the stage of
the Palais des Festivals. CDR Roco Tomanelli, VIth Fleet Liaison Officer in Toulon, was
translating the speeches.
Fireworks, music, lanterns, people everywhere
not one ingredient was miss-
The commanding officer of the uss Eisenhower Captain J.J.
ing to make this July 14th-Bastille Day-in Cannes an enormous success. USO of
and Maria Dantone.
the French Riviera served as the liaison to the American military in this gala
celebration of French-American friendship. Cannes was extremely supportive of
nors; Admiral Lefebvre (representing Admiral Trepier
the event-the city donated the Palais des Festivals gratis for the entire evening.
of the French Navy); John Willms, President, USO Coun-
Luminaries present included Vice Admiral J.D. Williams, Commander-in-Chief
cil of the French Riviera; Janet Leigh, Director of USO
of the U.S. Navy's Sixth Fleet; Susan Wood, American Consul General in Marseille;
French Riviera; Josette Martin, USO Executive Financial
Admiral Phillip Dur, Defense Attache Paris; Hon. William Ball, former U.S.
Advisor; French actor George Descrieres; and American
Secretary of the Navy and a current member of the USO World Board of Gover-
actor John Forsythe and his wife Julie. The gala marked
the 100th year of the birth of Gen. Eisenhower. The eve-
ning, which began with a free concert given by the Sixth
Fleet Showband and the orchestra from the USS Eisen-
hower, was emceed by Steward Long, a member of the
USO Council of the French Riviera.
The gala was made possible in part due to strong cor-
porate support from such sponsors as AT&T,
McDonald's Nice, Dow France, TWA, French Med
Tours and the American Sixth Fleet, without whose
support and assistance the evening would not have
been possible.
PUBLISHED BY
USO WORLD HEADQUARTERS
SUMMER/FALL 1990
USO World Headquarters
601 Indiana Avenue, N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20004
America's Spirit is distributed around the world to volunteers, staff and interested
members of the general public.
USO is a civilian, voluntary, nonprofit organization devoted exclusively to serving the
human needs of U.S. Armed forces personnel and their families worldwide.
USO is not a part of the U.S. government and receives no direct federal funding. It is
supported by voluntary, private contributions from the American public through
individual and corporate donations, United Way and the Combined Federal
Campaign.
George Bush, Honorary Chairman
Gen. Bernard W. Rogers, USA (Ret.), Chairman
The 7:00 arrival of the VIP guests at the gala. Mayor Mouillot greets Admiral and
Hon. Chapman B. Cox, President
Mrs. Jonthan T. Howe, Commander in Chief of Allied Forces, Southern Europe; who
Kevin J. McCarthy, Director, Marketing and Communications
are followed by Admiral and Mrs. Thomas C. Lynch, Commander of Cruise / Destroyer
Amy E. Adler, Manager of Publications & Information, Editor
Group 12. Forming two rows between the arriving guests are 20 Harley Davidson
Suzanne J. Crowley, Editorial Assistant
motorcycles from the collector's club on the Cote 'Azur.
3
Alex Trebek and USO Take Third Annual "JEOPARDY!" Tour to Europe
military contestants to participate in "JEOPARDY!" He also met
military personnel and their families, visited military hospitals,
and signed autographs. This is the second consecutive year
Northwest Airlines has sponsored the tour.
The "JEOPARDY!" USO tour is unique because it offers
service members a chance to be on national television and to
acquire cash if they win.
Trebek has conducted annual contestant searches on mili-
tary bases overseas for USO since 1987. Since then, six military
contestants have appeared on the show. The first contestant
from the 1990 search will be Company 1st Sergeant Colin
Hodgen of Gardner, Massachusetts. Hodgen, stationed at
Darmstadt Air Base in West Germany, will be on the September
24th broadcast.
Trebek has been on USO's World Board of Governors since
February 1989, and was Master of Ceremonies at USO's third
JEOPARDY! host Alex Trebek signs an autograph for a young admirer
during a military contestant search in Germany (Photo by Jim Kenah)
annual Christmas Celebration in Washington, D.C. last Decem-
ber. "I have heard firsthand from the military how extremely
A lex Trebek, host of the celebrated quiz show "JEOPARDY!",
grateful they are for the many ways USO helps them. I cannot
traveled to military bases in Europe from March 24 through
recall how many times young families have come up to me to
April 6 on his third USO tour. Northwest Airlines provided
express their thanks and appreciation for the little bit of home
complimentary air travel for the tour group.
we were able to bring," said Trebek. Upon returning from the
Trebek conducted contestant searches at military bases in
tour, Alex married Jean Currivan. The couple is expecting their
England, Germany, Belgium, and Italy in an effort to select U.S.
first child this coming winter.
Bob Hope USO Tour Travels to
Jose Feliciano in Concert
England, Germany, and the USSR
at the DMZ
USO
On May 4th, USO and AFKN (Armed Forces Korean Network)
BOB
representatives attended a press conference where they persuaded
Jose Feliciano and his manager that a trip to the North would be a
rewarding experience. The two men agreed, and the date was set
for Sunday, May 6th. Feliciano first received a briefing on the ori-
gins of the Korean War and the DMZ mission, followed by a wild ride
in a HUMVEE to the guard post Ouellette, where he greeted soldiers
personally and toured their small, highly fortified facility. Upon re-
turn to Warrior Base Mr. Feliciano joined the troops who were having
a barbecue. He was so impressed with the quality of the food (es-
pecially the ribs) that he made three references to it during his com-
mercial concert that eve-
ning in Seoul. After lunch,
a modest sound system
:USO
was set up and he played
Comedian Yakov Smirnoff joins Bob Hope on stage during Hope's 1990
a mixture of old and new
World Peace Tour. (Photo by Jim Kenah)
songs, as well as Spanish
pieces, for those as-
Bob Hope, the modern "King of Comedy" and USO's Ambassa-
sembled in the mess hall.
dor of Good Will, traveled to Berlin, Frankfurt, Cambridge, and
Afterwards soldiers lined
Moscow from May 2 through 11, bringing his famous brand of
up to receive autographs
entertainment to U.S. military audiences through USO.
and have their pictures
Hope led an impressive entourage of performers which included
taken with Jose. "Mr. Fe-
Soviet-born comedian Yakov Smirnoff, Rosemary Clooney, Toya
liciano was enjoying
Jackson, Miss Universe 1990 (formerly Miss Norway) Mona Grudt,
himself so much that it re-
Brooke Shields, and Bob's wife of 56 years, Dolores. The group
quired a good deal of
performed for packed houses at Tempelhoff Airport in Berlin; Royal
coaxing to get him back to
Air Force (RAF) Mildenhall outside of Cambridge; the American
the car so he could return
Embassy in Moscow; and Rhein Main Air Base in Frankfurt.
to Seoul as scheduled,"
The entourage visited the McDonald's in Red Square where there
said Angelique Fernandez
was a four-hour line. The fast-food emporium boasts 27 cash reg-
Page, Special Projects
Jose Feliciano entertains the soldiers at
Warrior Base in Korea. (Photo courtesy of
isters and 300 employees working on each of its three shifts.
Manager for USO Korea.
uso Korea)
4
AT&T and United Airlines Sponsor USO "TRANSATLANTIC JAM"
Top R & B Tour Visited West Germany
audiences in West Germany from June 2 to June 9. This was the first
USO tour produced in conjunction with a radio station. WVAZ (V-
103), Chicago's top-rated rhythm and blues station, broadcast its
morning shows live from the tour in Europe. The multi-talented troupe
performed for local military communities in the cities of Villsek,
Stuttgart, Pirmasens Army Base, and Baumholder. Audience memers
in Pirmasens and Stuttgart stood in the rain for hours to assure they
would get seats for the show.
Highlights from the tour were really the shows themselves-the
tremendous energy and enthusiasm of the performers was matched
only by the audience members, who participated in almost every show.
Alyson Williams, during a few hours "off", had a blast driving a
Bradley Land Vehicle (a tank) with the rest of the group as passen-
gers.
This was the sixth sponsored tour for AT&T of USO's 1989-1990
Michael Cooper takes time off from USO's Transatlantic Jam to sign
celebrity tour season. United Airlines, whose Chicago/Frankfurt
autographs for G.I.s in Villsek, Germany. (Photo by Jack Douthitt)
Gateway began operating May 15, provided complimentary air travel
for tour personnel. The Armed Forces Professional Entertainment
T
he USO brought musical performers Stacy Lattisaw, Alyson Wil-
Office of the Department of Defense also provided logistical support
liams, Michael Cooper, and the group Shades of Lace to military
as they do for all USO tours.
Procter & Gamble and Northwest Sponsor
"NEW KID" on The Block
1990 Miss USA/USO Tour
Visits High Wycombe Air
Station
WEST
LINES
RS SERVICE
New Kids on the Block's Jonathan Knight spent an af-
ternoon at High Wycombe Air Station visiting the
children of servicemen stationed there. (Photo by Larry
Busacca)
Miss USA 1990 Carole Gist is joined on stage by an enthusiastic member of the
audience. (Photo by Jim Kenah)
J
onathan Knight, a member of one of this years'
hottest pop groups, THE NEW KIDS ON THE
P
rocter & Gamble and Northwest Airlines sponsored the 1990 MISS USA/USO
BLOCK, delighted overseas fans by paying a surprise
tour which brought good will and a touch of home to troops in Alaska, Japan,
visit to the Youth Center at High Wycombe Air Station.
Okinawa, and the Philippines from June 10 through June 23. Members of the MISS
High Wycombe is home to more than 450 American
USA performance troupe were MISS USA, Carole Gist; Miss Colorado, Michelle
high school students, all children of U.S. embassy and
Harrison; Miss Connecticut, Allison Barbeau-Diorio; Miss Louisiana, Jeanne Burns;
military personnel. Arrangements were coordinated
Miss Missouri, Lori Suschnick; Miss Oklahoma, Lauralynn Norton; Miss Utah, Debra
by World USO.
Linn Tingey; and Miss Virginia, Evelyn Greene. Tony Perkins, a Washington, D.C-
Jon, his mother and two sisters, were treated to
based comedian, hosted the shows.
lunch (someone even managed to serve Jon's favor-
The troupe performed for members of local military communities in Alaska
ite - pizza!) and a tour of the High Wycombe Air
at Fort Richardson and Elmendorf Air Force Base; in mainland Japan at Yokota
Station. Word spread quickly to all "Blockheads"
and Misawa Air Bases; on Okinawa at Camp Foster and Camp Hansen; and finally,
(hardcore New Kids fans), and Jon was mobbed by
in the Philippines at Subic Bay Naval Station and Clark Air Base. The shows in
kids seeking pictures and autographs. He even held
the Philippines were particularly well-received, since Americans living there have
a private press conference for a local girl scout troop
(See Miss USA/USO, page 10)
that happened to be on the grounds.
5
Spotlight on the Philippines
OL
USI
RAdm Roger L. Rich, Jr., USN, Commander U.S. Facility Subic Bay,
Some of the uso staff and volunteers behind the new reception
Commander U.S. Naval Forces Philippines and Commander-in-Chief
counter, 1-r: Conrado Cruz, Accountant; Cristina Licup, Admin. Asst.;
Pacific Representative Philippines, applauds as David Smith, Director of
Erna Alor, Volunteer; Minda Yasul, Receptionist; Evelyn Rameriz,
Veterans Administration, U.S. Embassy Manila, presents a plaque of
Snack Bar Asst.; Roslyn Alfanso, Snack Bar Asst.; Ellen Besa,
appreciation from World uso to James D. Armel, Managing Director
Receptionist; and Decy Carino, Volunteer.
AT&T Philippines.
The Republic of the Philippines of 1990 rep-
worldwide. On July 11, the center was open
pines Director of Operations Dave Wyckoff.
resents a blend of cultures according to those
for business with a completely new look:
"Through the generous support of AT&T,
who settled the islands: from Chinese, East
new furniture, an enlarged lounge, and a
USO is now better able to be the 'Home
Indian, Arabian and Indonesian traders to
new video system which includes a wide-
Away From Home' for the Subic and Cubi
Spanish conquistadors to, more recently,
screen TV and a pair of speakers donated by
military community, especially the facility's
Japanese and Americans. The country is one
Polk Audio of Baltimore, Maryland. USA
single and unaccompanied personnel." A
of the loveliest in Asia, consisting of more
Direct telephone service has been increased
big boost to local troop morale was the visit
than 7,000 islands scattered in tropical seas
to three lines. Finally, all staff and volunteers
of the Miss USA/USO troupe on June 20 and
and bordered by sparkling white, waving
look professional in their new red, white, and
21st. "The tour was a tremendous success
palms, and lush jungles.
blue uniforms. "In response to the present
and was greatly appreciated by the folks here
The "People Power" revolution in 1986
liberty and travel restrictions, USO is anxious
at Subic Bay and at San Miguel. They came
ended the 20-year dictatorship of Ferdinand
to do its part in providing increased on-base
at the right time," added Wyckoff.
Marcos. Several coup attempts since then
programs and services," said USO Philip-
under the presidency of Corazon Aquino
have made the country a sometimes danger-
ous place for American military to be sta-
USO Seeks Remembrances
tioned.
In the last two years, tensions there,
D₀
you have memories of
punctuated by the assassinations of U.S.
personal experiences you had
servicemen in Olongapo and Angeles City,
at a USO center at any time
have escalated to uncomfortable heights. All
over the last fifty years? Know
leave and liberty at U.S. bases was cancelled
someone else who does?
for several weeks and land transportation
World USO would like to hear
between Subic and Clark Air Base in Manila
from you-whether you vol-
is still prohibited. This year, travel restric-
unteered, met a spouse, per-
tions and security threats contributed to the
formed for the troops, or sim-
decision to close down the Manila USO
ply enjoyed the companion-
Center on June 15. The closing of Manila,
ship you found at the USO.
which had opened its doors in 1945, in-
We are interested in anecdotes
creased the incentive to seek out ways to
from experiences in USOs
service people inside the military facilities
anywhere in the world, from
at Subic and Clark.
any We' dlike to hear from
Thus, in recent months, fulfilling USO's
Bing Crosby in Europe, World War II
you by September 30th, 1990
mission of supporting military personnel
since we are working on a book on USO's 50 years to be published next year. Please
and their families in the Philippines has
include in your written account your current (and any former names), address and phone,
become even more challenging. One way to
where and when you were involved with USO, and if you have related USO memora-
meet that challenge would be a renovation
bilia. Send any correspondence to:
of the much-used facility at Subic. Renova-
Amy Adler
tion by the Public Works Center began on
USO 50th Anniversary History
April 16, and was completed in just over two
601 Indiana Avenue, NW
months using funds provided by AT&T, a
Washington, D.C. 20004
corporate supporter of USO programs
6
New Faces Around The World
Dolores Brooks who has been the Director
new position in September of this year.
Kinser (both on Okinawa). She later trans-
of Camp Foster on Okinawa, Japan since
ferred to the Philippines where she was the
June 1989, accepted the position of Director
Carolyn Harris has worked for USO Wi-
Director of Operations. She went on to ac-
of Operations of USO Guam. Dolores started
esbaden, West Germany since September
cept the position of Director of the USO at
her new job in May of this year.
1987 when she started as first a tour guide
Kadena Air Base on Okinawa in July 1989.
and then a tours manager. For several
In January 1990 she started her new posi-
months she worked as the Acting Director
tion as Corporate Accounts Manager in the
there. She accepted the position of Director
Marketing & Communications Department
of USO Wiesbaden in January of this year.
at USO World Headquarters in Washing-
ton, D.C.
Nancy Olson has been the Director of Op-
erations, USO Caribbean since January,
1990. She worked for USO in Rome previ-
ously, first as Director of the Rome USO,
then as Director of Operations, Southern
Europe.
Shirley Reynoldshas worked for the USO
since 1981 when she started as Director of
Dolores Brooks
the San Francisco Airport USO. From June
1983 to January 1985 she worked first as Lo-
gistics Coordinator and then as Executive
Christine Burns, who for the past 5 months
Director of Camp Schwab USO on Oki-
has been Director of USO Pusan, accepted
nawa. She later transferred to the Philip-
Laine Sutten
the position of Director at Camp Casey,
pines where she worked as Executive Di-
Korea in August. She was previously em-
rector. Shirley then held the position of Di-
ployed as Guest Relations Officer at the
rector of Operations in Korea until her
Paradise Beach Hotel in Pusan, Korea.
appointment to Director of Operations for
Germany in January of this year.
John Stephenson is the new Director of
Jack Darnell, the new director of USO Pusan
Operations for Korea. He began with USO
in Korea, began his work for USO as the
in 1988 as Director of USO Pusan, Korea.
Center Manager of the Subic/Cubi USO in
He has been in his current position since
the Philippines. Jack retired from 31 years
January 1990.
of service in the U.S. Navy in 1986.
Shelley Fletcher began her work at USO
Mannheim in Germany as an Outreach
Assistant Coordinator/Social Worker. She
previously served as President of the
Mannheim German American Woman's
Club. Shelley holds the rank of Major in the
Army Reserves. She became the Director of
USO Mannheim this August.
Shirley Reynolds
James Franson became Director of Frank-
furt USO in June of this year. From 1987 to
1990 he held the position of Program Direc-
Debra Rosenbergis the new director of the
tor for Business and Management at the
John Stephenson
Camp Schwab USO on Okinawa. Her most
European Campus of Central Texas Col-
recent prior position was sales representa-
lege.
tive covering a six-state territory for Mowry
Associates. Debra moved to Okinawa and
Charles T. Taylor became Director of the
Robert Gregoryis the new Director of USO
started her new job in August.
Kadena USO on Okinawa in April 1990.
Camp Foster, Okinawa. He retired this July
From 1978 to 1989 he owned and managed
from his position as Personnel Chief of the
Jeanne Stone transferred to USO Camp
two thriving restaurants and one novelty
U.S. Marine Corps.
Hansen, Okinawa as Director after 22
tee-shirt business in Quantico, Virginia.
months as Director of USO Baumholder in
Thomas Goverois the new Director of USO
Germany.
Louise Williamsbegan her work with the
Naples. His former position was as Euro-
Baumholder USO in January 1990 as Publi-
pean Regional Director at the School for
Laine Suttenbegan her work with USO at
cations Editor/Tour Program Manager. In
International Living. He has lived in Italy
Camp Foster as Assistant Director, then
September of this year she will become the
and is fluent in Italian. He will begin his
worked as Operations Manager of Camp
Director of the Baumholder USO.
7
SHOWING THE SPIRIT
SHOWING THE SPIRIT
Stateside
Atlanta
to assume some of the MWR activities that
Dade County
Mary Lou Austin, Executive Director of
face possible reduction due to projected
USO of Georgia, was followed by a televi-
budget constraints.
sion crew from Cable News Network for an
Metropolitan New York
USO
entire day on August 15. That was when
USO set up a station at Fort Gillem where
The USO of Metropolitan New York hon-
soldiers from the 101st Airborne Division
ored Mary G. Roebling at its annual Dia-
out of Fort Campbell, Kentucky, were
mond Affair luncheon at the Plaza Hotel on
bivouacked en route to Jacksonville, Flor-
May 10. Roebling is Chairman Emeritus of
ida, and eventually to Saudi Arabia. "I was
the National State Bank of Elizabeth, New
on the radio at 7:00AM, and at 7:30 I re-
Jersey and the Woman's Bank of Denver,
ceived a call from Mead Packaging Corpo-
and was the first woman to serve as presi-
ration, saying they wanted to help. Now
dent and board chairman of a major Ameri-
it's 11:00, and I have a thousand dollar
can bank. "I do not know of a single organi-
On April 1st, uso of Dade County sponsored
check from them in my hands," said Austin.
zation that has done more effective work
the opening of the new uso Airport Center at
"Community response has been incredible
Miami International Airport. Pictured are
for its constituency than USO. More, I
Dr. J.R. Gossman, past president of uso
people waiting at the gates to say goo-
know of no non-military organization that
Dade County; Maj. Gen. Sylvan (Salty) Salter,
dbye to the men
Coca Cola has donated
has done more for national defense than
USA (Ret.); and Duane De Corte, president of
over 3,000 drinks, Krispy Kreme has been
USO," said Mrs. Roebling upon her accep-
uso Dade County. uso Dade County, Inc.
sending fresh donuts, the whole commu-
provides such services as cultural and athletic
tance. 'And the USO knocks itself silly not
nity is really concerned." USOs around the
programs, referral services, cultural exchange
just trying to help, but helping." Mrs. Roe-
programs, off-base home visits, child care and
world are mobilizing to handle the situ-
bling's great patriotism and friendship with
youth activities and entertainment programs.
ation in the Middle East.
servicemen and women the world over is
It is also provides assistance to sailors on
evident through her participation in many
military ships visiting Miami.
Jacksonville, North Carolina
governmental agencies and task forces. She
will add USO's "Woman of the Year"
Pensacola
Award to her already prestigious collection
Approximately 100 council members, vol-
which includes the Department of Defense
unteers, and other well-wishers celebrated
Medal for Distinguished Public Service, the
the opening of the new USO Airport Center
Outstanding Civilian Service Medal from
in Pensacola, Florida on July 22, which was
the Department of the Army; the Presi-
dent's Medal from the Association of the
concurrent with the grand opening of the
multi-million dollar Pensacola Regional
U.S. Army; and the Distinguished Service
Airport. Speaking at the ceremony were
Award from the U.S. Marine Corps League.
Denis McKinnon, USO Council President;
Carolyn Speed, Executive Director; Lamar
Norfolk
Dixon, USO Facilities Chairman; Rod
Kendig, City Manager; and VAdm John S.
The USO of Hampton Roads held its first
On June 17, the uso sponsored a show during
Disher, Chief of Naval Education and
Marine Bivouac at Verona Infantry Training
major fundraiser-a "Stroll Down Memory
Training. The lounge replaces the USO
Base Camp. Over 650 troops attended that
Lane" March 3, 1990, at Fort Eustis,
show which consisted of a local group of
booth at the old airport terminal. It provides
drawing more than 500 civic, municipal,
Hawaiian dancers. The Jacksonville uso
a television lounge with comfortable furni-
business, and military leaders. USO of
Center puts on shows every three weeks. Pic-
ture and a small kitchen for coffee and
tured above: group participation in the dance;
Hampton Roads Council President and
snacks. Since opening the original booth in
some of the spectators.
Vice President, Public Relations for New-
January 1988, USO airport volunteers have
port News Shipbuilding, RADM Jack Gar-
logged over 11,000 hours and have served
row, USN (Ret.), introduced the guests,
Great Lakes
who included Commander of the U.S. At-
over 22,500 people.
lantic Fleet Adm. Powell Carter; head of the
On July 16, the USO of Illinois dedicated
Atlantic Fleet's Submarine Force VAdm
their brand new USO facility at the Great
Roger Bacon; and many others. Soldiers of
Lakes Naval Training Center. The 7,500
the 7th Transportation Group and the 8th
square foot facility offers pool, a kitchen,
Transportation Brigade at Fort Eustis trans-
ping pong, a library, a 52-inch screen televi-
formed the recreation center's skating rink
sion, and a family area to the 25,000 service
into a cantina, with a stage at one end and
personnel who occupy Great Lakes, the
band and dance floor at the other end. En-
largest military installation in Illinois. "Our
tertainment was provided by Art Royer's
first facility is targeted to recruits on the
"Stage Door Canteen" and the Navy's At-
training post. This, our second, is available
lantic Fleet Band.
to a much broader audience," said Execu-
May 1990 uso Golf Tournament at NAS
tive Director Ralph Eldridge. Thanks to the
South Texas
Pensacola - 76 golfers played in the one-day
efforts of the Navy command at Great
event which included prizes and a buffet
Lakes, who negotiated with USO of Illinois
The USO of South Texas held its annual
dinner.
to acquire the space, USO will now be able
1990 gala-" Around And Out of This
8
SHOWING THE SPIRIT
SHOWING THE SPIRIT
World With USO"-on March 14 at the
should be handled. Telephone "doctor"
Jerusalem, Massada, Golan Heights, and to
Corpus Christi Town Club. Special guests
programs on customer service and tele-
local kibbutzim. Volunteers from Netanya
Apollo 17 Astronaut Ron E. Evans and
phone skills, now a regular part of James S.
and Haifa prepared home-cooked meals,
RAdm and Mrs. Jimmie Taylor led the
McDonnell USO volunteer training, are
right down to the to chicken soup, for 1,400
guests in honoring Mrs. Maxine Flournoy
showing excellent results.
crew members of the Iwo Jima and the El
for her 14 years service on the boards of
Paso.
Washington, D. C.
both USO of South Texas and World USO.
During WWII, Mrs. Flourney was a mem-
USO of Metropolitan Washington held its
ITALY
ber of the experimental Women's Airforce
1990 Annual Awards Dinner at the Ritz
Rome
Service Pilots (WASPs), opening the sky
Carleton in Pentagon City on July 17th.
trail for future generations of women. In
Honorees at the event were Chairman of
On April 24, Dr. Vito Di Cesare, President
1946 she married Lucien Flournoy of Alice,
the Joint Chiefs of Staff General Colin L.
of the Italian government's provincial
Texas. She returned to flying in the late 60s
Powell, who received the Service Award;
agency for Roman tourism, presented a
in the six passenger Beechcraft Baron and
PO2 Irene M. Wallingford, USCG, who re-
Medal of Honor to the Rome USO for serv-
the ten-passenger Beechcraft King Air.
ceived the C. Haskell Small Award for
ice to the American military and their fami-
Days after the very successful event, Execu-
Volunteerism in the local community; and
lies through enrichment of their knowledge
tive Director Mary Smothers King received
Rep. Les Aspin, Chairman of the House
of Rome's rich cultural history. Di Cesare
some very sad news: Ron Evans had passed
Armed Services Committee, who received
also cited the USO's contribution towards
away from a sudden a heart attack. His at-
the Congressional Award. Special tribute
peace through its offering of hospitality to
tendance at the gala was his last public ap-
was also paid to Dwight David Eisenhower
all NATO countries. Raisa Gorbachev was
pearance. USO South Texas is dedicating its
on the celebration of the centennial of his
also presented a special award which was
study room for student pilots in his honor.
birth. Proceeds from the awards dinner-
accepted by the Russian Ambassador to
Metro USO's biggest annual fundraiser—
Italy, Nikolai Lunkov.
make possible the programs offered to the
300,000 men, women, and children that
The USO Council of Rome presented a
comprise the Washington, D.C. active duty
"Gala Evening of Elegance" at Villa Tav-
military community. These programs in-
erna, the residence of American Ambassa-
clude emergency housing; employment
dor to Italy and Mrs. Peter Secchia. The
services job fairs; mobile van support serv-
lovely garden was decorated with replicas
ices; newcomers orientation and tours;
of Roman ruins furnished by Dr. Di Cesare.
safe-t-first car seat program; special holiday
Six restaurants served samples of some of
programs including holiday hotel, Holi-
Rome's traditional cuisine. Wine, spu-
daylink, and world's longest valentine; and
mante, and mineral water were donated by
youth enrichment programs.
Astronaut Ron Evans signing a young sailor's
Giovanni Speranza, District Sales Manager
gala program.
of Seagram Italia. Gail Caillouet, Director
of the Rome USO, and her staff assembled
more than 500 people who came to support
St. Louis
the Rome USO, which has existed since
1944. After dinner, guests strolled down
Since its inception in 1981, the James S.
Via Margutta (Roman street famous for its
McDonnell USO has been a pacesetter in the
art shops) located in another section of the
area of volunteer development. The largest
garden to admire the sculpture and paint-
USO Airport Center also has the largest
ings of local artists. Music was provided by
USO volunteer force. Executive Director
the Sixth Fleet Combo Band. Finally, guests
Lynn D. Morrissey, Director of Volunteer
got a delightful surprise when local celeb-
Services Jean-Marie Albert and Assistant
rities and American stars Charlton Heston
Director Barbara J. Kittrel have started an
Gen. Colin Powell accepts the 1990 uso
Metro Service Award from uso World
and John Savage paid a visit.
innovative program for volunteer recruit-
ment, orientation, motivation, and recogni-
President Chapman Cox, and Joseph Garrett,
tion. Their training resources include an
President of Metropolitan Washington USO's
Board of Directors, at the Metro uso gala.
orientation manual and detailed, 200-page
(Photo by Harold C. Schramm)
volunteer manual designed to be a compre-
hensive guide for understanding the USO
Overseas
mission and volunteer identity. A volun-
teer receptionist training workshop in-
ISRAEL
cludes sessions and demonstrations on
communications, telephone etiquette, re-
March saw five ships docked in the Israel
ception desk forms, and emergency proce-
Shipyard: the USS Iwo Jima; USS El Paso;
dures. A highlight is the videotape "From
USS Saginaw; USS Trenton; and USS Port-
Curt to Courteous," produced by internation-
land. A total of 7,000 marines and sailors
ally-known "telephone doctor" Nancy
kept Haifa USO Director Gilla Gerzon and
Friedman, who travels nationally showing
her staff and volunteers on the go. Many of
Ambassador Peter Secchia and actor Charlton
corporate America how their phone calls
the visitors traveled to the Sea of Galilea,
Heston at the Rome Gala.
9
Persian Gulf Crisis (continued from page 1)
Four major U.S. corporations have come forward, donating
to a specific person. For Army, Air Force, and Marines, write to:
$500,000 each to the USO Gulf Crisis Fund: American Interna-
Any Servicemember; Operation Desert Shield; APO New York 09848-
tional Group, Anheuser-Busch, The Coca-Cola Company, and AT&T.
0006. For Navy and Marines on board ships in the Saudi Region,
Each of the four corporations has a long history of supporting USO
write to: Any Servicemember; Operation Desert Shield; FPO New
programs.
York 09866-0006.
"The response from corporate America has been amazing and
rapid. Without their immediate support, we would not be able
NUMBERS-By calling 1-900-820-2USO, people can leave taped
to follow through on what we plan to do in the Middle East," said
messages to be delivered to the troops while making a contribu-
Cox.
tion to USO.
USO will draw on the $2 million chest to provide services at
USO fleet centers at ports in the East Mediterranean, Red Sea, North
Because USO receives no federal funds and will provide these
Arabian Sea, and Persian Gulf; USO troop centers on the ground
services at no cost to the troops, it must develop innovative fun-
in Saudi Arabia, Egypt, and Turkey; and to produce celebrity en-
draising programs. USO has established a Gulf Crisis Fund to spe-
tertainment tours on board ships and at land bases throughout
cifically address its intentions for that area.
the region.
Mr. Cox (continued from page 1)
service delivery.
on the board provided me a first hand view of the important serv-
I'm sure you agree that these are high hopes, but if we work
ice USO provides in the field.
together and pool all of our available resources, I think they are
Additionally, I spent six years during the early '80s in various
realistic and attainable. Achieving our goals will require a great
positions at the Department of Defense, all concerned with the well-
deal of dedication and hard work, but it will also be fulfilling.
being and quality of our service personnel. These included Assis-
Following the August 2 invasion of Kuwait by Iraq and the
tant Secretary of the Navy for Manpower and Reserve Affairs and
subsequent U.S. troop deployment to Saudi Arabia, USO has al-
Assistant Secretary of Defense for Force Management and Person-
ready mobilized. We have begun assisting with troop and
nel.
supply movement and setting up support groups for wives and
Those experiences, combined with my career in the private sector
children of those being sent to the area. I have offered our
as a business lawyer and director of various non-profit entities, have
complete support for the men and women in the Middle East,
given me an understanding of USO's role in our modern democratic
to President Bush, Defense Secretary Cheney, and General
society and the larger international community. I have a strong regard
Norman Schwarzkopf, Commander in Chief of the U.S. Central
for USO's unique place in focusing civilian and military resources
Command. USO is prepared to extend its services to help alle-
on one important goal - the improvement of the morale and well-
viate the anxiety and tension inherent in a combat-ready situ-
being of those men and women (and their families) who sacrifice so
ation. Temporary USO centers, telephone calling centers, and
much for the freedoms we all enjoy in this great nation.
celebrity entertainment shows are among the support services
Certainly, many challenges lie ahead for USO in today's new
that can be arranged.
international environment. These changes will cause American
I appreciate the outpouring of well wishes and words of
military force reductions at home and abroad. In turn, the force
kindness received in my first months with USO. I look forward
restructuring will cause demographic changes in the make-up of our
to continuing USO's 50-year tradition of providing service to
armed forces. However, I am excited and confident that USO will shift
service people.
its emphasis and make the necessary adjustments in the kinds of
services we offer to meet the changing needs of the military, just as
we have in the past.
Over the next several months I will be drawing on the creativity,
Miss USA / USO continued from page 5)
energy and management of the headquarters staff, our council
members and directors in the field, and our hundreds of volunteers.
been under tremendous stress for the past few months.
Their skill, expertise, and understanding of local situations will en-
The women were selected for the tour by USO Pro-
hance the quality and quantity of our service delivery.
ducer Iona Sherman during auditions held the week prior
At the last meeting of the USO World Board of Governors, General
to the "Miss USA Pageant", which aired March 2. MISS
Rogers announced the formation of a new strategic planning com-
USA, (formerly Miss Michigan) Carole Gist, went on to
mittee which will involve experienced leaders on our board and sen-
be first runner-up in the MISS UNIVERSE pageant two
ior officials in the Military Departments. I am confident that these
months later. "The MISS USA/USO tour is a unique
leaders will provide us with a good road map for the future.
addition to our tour schedule. It offers many of the service
This road map will address the following goals which I have
members the opportunity to talk with women from their
proposed for the USO in the next five years:
home state," said Sherman. "To those serving our country
By 1995, USO should double its service to our military person-
in the far corners of the world, the 'girl next door' brings
nel and their families.
a gift greater than talent: she brings a little bit of home."
* USO should revitalize its public image to reflect a very posi-
Even a typhoon couldn't keep the troupe from enter-
tive, contemporary USO, caring for and sharing with America's sons
taining the troops. They were flying from Yokohama to
and daughters who are serving their country.
Kadena Air Base on Okinawa when they were diverted
* Every military commander overseas should consider the USO
to Iwakuni for a 20-hour layover due to massive winds
to be an integral part of morale and welfare resources.
from an approaching typhoon. The audience at the delayed
* Finally, USO should receive sufficient revenue from its mar-
show didn't seem to mind the wait-they responded very
keting and business resources to be able to represent to its contribu-
enthusiastically to the performance.
tors that 100% of every dollar contributed will go exclusively toward
10
Upcoming USO 50th Anniversary Celebration Galas
U SO has planned a number of special events to celebrate and
Thursday, December 6, 1990
recognize its 50th Anniversary. Many of these events help gen-
"1990 Christmas Celebration in Washington"
erate necessary funds for the services we provide to the men and
USO's 4th annual Christmas gala will be held at the elegant Omni
women who protect our freedom around the globe.
Shoreham hotel in Washington, D.C. USO will posthumously honor
Paris, Frankfurt, Washington, D.C., Detroit, and Tampa have
one of its earliest chief fundraisers, Prescott Bush, with an award
all been sites of past USO gala celebrations where such celebri-
to be accepted by President Bush or a member of the first family.
ties as Pearl Bailey, John Forsythe, Ricky Skaggs, Charley Pride,
Other honorees will include August A. Busch III, Chairman of the
and Lee Greenwood have been honored for their contributions
Board and President of Anheuser-Busch, Inc., who will receive
to USO. Headline entertainers complete the bill for such events,
USO's Great American Award, and Keith Reinhard, Chairman and
with a roster to date including Tony Bennett, Louie Bellson, Norm
CEO of DDB Needham Worldwide, who will receive USO's
Crosby, and Lou Rawls.
Outstanding Civic Achievement Award. The headline entertainer
A calendar of USO 50th anniversary special events follows.
for the evening will be noted Broadway and screen performer Ann
If you would like more information on any of these, please con-
Jillian.
tact Barbara Gavitt at USO World Headquarters at (202) 879-4718.
Tuesday, February 12, 1990
"USO 50th Anniversary International Tribute to
Saturday, November 10, 1990
Bob Hope"
"USO Day at Universal Studios Florida"
This star-studded gala will be held in Los Angeles. Bob Hope, USO's
On the eve of Veteran's Day, USO will sponsor special day and
Ambassador of Good Will, will be honored at this event marking
evening activities at the Universal Studios theme park in Orlando,
the official 50th birthday of USO on February 4, 1941. All former
Florida. This event will include reduced price admission for
presidents have been invited to attend as well as many luminar-
military personnel and their families and an evening reception
ies of the Hollywood community-past and present-who have
and dinner for USO supporters.
touched our service personnel in some way through USO.
Naples USO Fleet Center Reopens
Rebuilt Facility Is a Symbol That Americans Won't Bow to Terrorism
RAdm. Henry G. Chiles, Jr., President of the Naples USO Council.
"Tonight we pay tribute to the five persons who were killed." But
the opening was also a celebration, said the admiral, of hard work,
generous benefactors, and "determination of the USO staff that would
not admit defeat when things looked bleak."
Without delay after the bombing, USO opened temporary facili-
ties so fleet services could continue, virtually without interruption.
USO also began a fundraising drive to rebuild. Money began coming
in immediately from 6th Fleet sailors and service organizations. In-
dividual contributions, assistance from the American Women's Club
of Naples, who donated all profits from sale of its popular cookbook,
An American In Naples", along with generous gifts from Philip
Morris Companies and AT&T, ultimately helped USO realize its
$250,000 goal.
A lounge dedicated to Philip Morris was unveiled at the open-
ing ceremony, and a second lounge was similarly named for AT&T.
Philip Morris has also been instrumental in providing funds for the
USO Airport Center in Frankfurt and the USO Family & Community
Cutting the ribbon at the opening of the Naples uso Fleet Center- - (left
Center in Stuttgart, while AT&T has sponsored projects and events
to right) Adm. Jonathan Howe, Commander in Chief, Allied Forces
Southern Europe; Richard Henry, Executive Vice President, World USO;
for many overseas USOs.
LCDR Mark Rosen, member of the Naples uso Council; Guy Smith, Vice
The new center is next to the U.S. Navy's fleet landing in a limited-
President, Corporate Affairs, Philip Morris; Katia Crupi, Consumer
access area of the port. It features a snack bar, gift shop, lounge, video
Marketing Director for AT & T; Dott Ing Sabino Sernio, Vice President,
games, and pool and ping-pong tables, and volunteers can also make
S.E.P.L.I.S.
tour and hotel reservations. It is somewhat smaller than the former
USO, which for decades was located in the narrow Calata San Marco.
T he March 2nd ribbon-cutting officially opening the new USO at
"The new center is much more secure because it is in the port and we
the port in downtown Naples marked the end of the rebuilding of
have Italian and American security right at the front door," said Joann
the USO after eight months of work. The old USO was destroyed
Riccio, Director of the Naples USO.
on April 14, 1988, by a terrorist bomb that killed five people-four Ital-
USO operates two other centers in Naples: one at the Naval
ians and an American sailor-and injured 17 others.
Support Activity, and one at the headquarters of Allied Forces South-
"We celebrate this rebuilding that was born out of tragedy," said
ern Europe.
11
PEARL BAILEY
To the readers of
In Memoriam
America's Spirit:
The USO lost a dear friend and
I
served in Vietnam with the U.S.
supporter when legendary Pearl
Army for eighteen months in 1968-69.
Bailey passed away on August 17.
Since that time I have published seven
The dynamic singer whose spon-
cartoon and humor books. Now, the
taneity and infectious enthusiam
memories of my service have
captivated audiences around the
prompted me to write two books about
Vietnam.
world served the nation as a dip-
The first book will be a record for
lomat, wrote several books, and
received a bachelor's degree in the-
our in-country language. The slang,
americanized place names and the nick
ology from Georgetown University
names we gave our units, vehicles,
at the age of 67. She volunteered
aircraft, vessels and almost everything
to perform with USO as soon as
else we could think of.
WWII began, and was still at it five
The second book will be aimed at
decades later. In 1986 she and her
preserving burin-country humor, both
husband, drummer Louie Bellson,
the light hearted and the dark. The
traveled on a USO tour to England
funny incidents, the gags, the jokes, the
and Germany. But 1988 was Pearl's
Louie Bellson, Dee Dee Bellson, and Pearl Bailey at
absurd situations that made us laugh.
the 1988 uso Christmas gala. (Photo by Jim Kenah)
busiest year yet: in June she sang
The laughter should not be forgotten.
need your help to preserve our in-
for American Military in England; in August she traveled to an aircraft carrier in the
country slang and humor. I need to
Persian Gulf, when a crisis situation had developed in the region; and in December Pearl,
hear your funny stories, the slang, place
Louie, and their daughter Dee Dee charmed USO supporters at World USO's second
names and nicknames that you used,
annual Christmas Celebration in Washington, D.C. For her unswerving dedication
along with their meanings. Your iden-
to USO, Pearl received the first USO 50th Anniversary ward on June 9, 1989. She often
tity will be kept confidential and you
said: "My reason for touring for USO is simple. I tell the men and women who wear
will have my thanks for helping to pre-
the uniform of the U.S. military this nobody promised them the bright lights of Broad-
serve a part of our history. Mail re-
way once they got there, but we did promise them one thing: that we wouldn't forget
sponses to Randy L. Melton, P.O. Box
them. And that's why I do it."
800-127, Keizer, Oregon 97303-0890.
Non-Profit
USO
Organization
U.S. Postage
PAID
Southern, MD
USO WORLD HEADQUARTERS
Permit No. 97
601 INDIANA AVENUE, N.W.
WASHINGTON, DC 20004
America's Spirit
Fall 1990
OCTOBER 17, 1990
THE NATION'S NEWSPAPER
TODAY
NO. 1 IN THE USA
NEARLY 6 MILLION READERS A DAY
Steve Martin plays the sands
By Laurence Jolidon
USA TODAY
U.S. TO IRAQ: NO 'PARTIAL SOLUTIONS, 9A
CAMP MIDWAY, Saudi Arabia
kill him."
Islamic country.
- Talk about your tough crowds.
But it was the only joke from
Instead, Martin said he was do-
"You'd better be funny," shout-
Martin, who, with his actress wife
ing "what they call grip and grin
ed one of 500 U.S. soldiers camped
Victoria Tennant, was in the sec-
- we grip your hand and grin at
on a sand dune to hear comedian
ond day of a weeklong USO tour.
you. It's all we can do."
Steve Martin. "We've got bullets."
Martin declined requests for
The couple are the first of what
Martin obliged, offering the sol-
more, saying, "They said they
USO officials hope will be other
diers his solution to the Persian
didn't want us to do a show."
visits by celebrities.
Gulf crisis that brought them here.
U.S. officials wouldn't say why,
Martin, who took a 10-minute
"I've got the answer for Saddam
but have talked of being "cultural-
ride in an M-1 tank, explained his
Hussein," Martin said. "If the
ly sensitive" and hinted at fears of
trip simply: "I had some time off
press would just keep talking
terrorism and repercussions over
and I felt kind of bad just sitting
about his mistress, his wife would
Western humor in a conservative,
there, SO I came."
By David Longstreath, AP
COMIC DUTY: Steve Martin meets with U.S. troops in
Saudi Arabia, but hot exhaust from a tank is no joke.
Thursday, December 20, 1990
THE STARS AND STRIPES
Page 3
Crisis in the gulf
Videos bring troops home for Christmas
By DEEDEE ARRINGTON DOKE
Middle East bureau
EASTERN SAUDI ARABIA - Sgt. Lydell Black
spent much of a recent Monday morning waiting to star
in his own Christmas video special.
"It'll be "The Sgt. Black Show,' he said, grinning as
he sat down before a video camcorder and prepared to
talk for 15 minutes.
"I'll pre-empt Bill Cosby."
Black, assigned to the 501st Ord Co from Crailsheim,
Germany, is one of the many servicemembers taking the
USO up on Project Better Than a Letter. The program
enables the troops and their loved ones to exchange 15-
Ward
minute free video messages through $2 million worth of
donations, including videocassettes, camcorders, televi-
sions, videocassette players and heavy envelopes.
The troops are taping their messages at various loca-
tions throughout the Desert Shield area. The folks in
the United States get free videotapes and taping serv-
ices at Montgomery Ward department stores. The mes-
sages to the deployed servicemembers then can be
viewed on the donated TVs and VCRs.
Christmas cards that feature Desert Shield themes,
camels and wise men in traditional Arab clothing are
plentiful at military exchanges and in local shops. But
the videotaped messages can't be beat, according to the
troops.
"It's more personal than a letter," said Spec. Charles
Schlaegel, also of the 501st Ord Co.
Schlaegel, Black and other 501st members were
headed to a military finance office when they saw peo-
ple queuing up in an open, sandy area.
Black took the USO up on its offer - twice. "I had to
get back in line to do it twice," he said. "I sent one to my
mom and one to my wife."
Spec. Corey Garner, 20, said his video would "let my
mom and dad know I love and miss them." This year
marks Garner's second Christmas away from home.
Last year found him in Panama.
"I'm telling my mom I'm OK, and I'll be back soon,"
he said.
"If we can't be there in person, we'll be there in spir-
it," said Sgt. Willie Richardson, also of the 501st. "Wel-
come to the sunny sands of Saudi."
Some soldiers peered seriously into the camera's eye
and spoke quietly, even somberly. Others joked, as re-
laxed as if their performances took place in their own
living rooms. And still others invited their buddies into
the camera's view to introduce them to their families.
"Man, that's the longest 15 minutes I've ever spent,"
one servicemember said laughing - and wiping his
S&S: Lynda Devidson
brow as he left the hot seat. "After a while, you run out
During a videotaping in Saudi Arabia, Pfc. Dion Teel Invites his squad leader, Sgt. Thomas Boyer, to say hello to
of things to say if it's just you talking."
Teel's folks in Fenton, Iowa. The soldiers are assigned to the 501st Ord Co from Crailsheim, Germany.
(Stighter
planes
And
the singing
are, many are vulner-
Andrews Sisters.
incoming Scud mis-
cial
War
thing new Women
par
pport staff have been
pro
erous positions in ev-
twe
spe
war.
Sur
se more fire is ex-
rear, and because this
flict in which female
ur all-volunteer Army
I such large numbers
date - the fighting
ons about the differ-
n the sexes that are
[th
etical in peacetime.
have what it takes to
ed comrade to safety
ge of enemy fire?
t the so-called "rebel
- the brute rush that
More than doughnuts
Idiers to spray the en-
hine-gun bullets while
selves to heavy fire?
Civilians
They do. Even under the austere
heroic everywoman
conditions of the desert (where, even
eaver blasting away
before the war put celebrity visits on
sties in the movie
the women cut it when
give troops
USO
hold, sensitivity to Saudi mores had
confined Hollywood types to but-
mes? Do they have the
toned-up handshake tours) USO has
nes"?
and families
put down roots.
touchy questions. But
Two full-service USO centers -
ion that hormones -
one in the island nation of Bahrain
a home away
and one in Dubai, a city in the United
stosterone, estrogen-
sh a woman's perform-
FIFTY YEARS ERVICE T
Arab Emirates opened in Novem-
an's, and blood begins
ber for fleet and Army units, says
politically incorrect
from home
program director Janet Bandows
y to get a workout be-
Koster. As she describes the offer-
war is through.
ings of coffee, doughnuts, TV, tele-
phones and a volunteer staff of more
Idiers are barred by
By Cathryn Donohoe
than 300 Americans, it's almost pos-
ling front-line combat
THE WASHINGTON TIMES
sible to see again that little knot of
rained to defend them-
ay "USO," and canteen im-
GIs converged on the piano.
ssary. If they are called
ages of World War II
In fact, it's not much different
ts believe their behav-
de hard answers to a
ally unstudied subject
S
spring to mind: coffee
from the old times, Ms. Koster says.
and doughnuts. De-
Two RV-style entertainment vans
mure young hostesses
based in Bahrain and Dubai stand
arative hormonal re-
en and women during
tinkling the ivories as
ready to roll into Saudi Arabia as
bell-bottoms and kha-
soon as the military command gives
the National Institutes
kis gather 'round. Camp shows on
the word, she says. Fitted out with
makeshift stages. Bob Hope in Sicily,
coffee, cola and popcorn machines,
1 Walter Reed Army
Bob Hope on Saipan, Bob Hope at
large-screen TVs and video-disk
er say the all-impor-
last in Bremen.
players, the vans - true to USO's
IC nervous system -
es the "fight or flight"
But don't wax nostalgic with the
reputation - carry pop-out stages
folks at USO World Headquarters
on back big enough for single acts.
the same in males and
here. They have a war on their
"We plug them in and we've got a
hands.
show!" Ms. Koster says. "It's the
f stress or danger the
And 50 years to the week since the
same thing we did in World War II
us sends a signal
founding of the United Service Or-
and Korea and Vietnam, except we
pituitary gland that
ganizations on Feb 4, 1941, the
have video-disk players instead of
irenal gland to release
warm fuzzies one might have ex-
Victrolas - or whatever it was they
r epinephrine. This se-
pected on a golden anniversary have
Photos by Neil Greentree/
had then." Ms. Koster is 31.
ases the heartbeat and
Courtesy of USO World Headquarters
been stashed away. A frenetic staff
Perennial Bob Hope has been a
There is one big difference be-
ushing to the brain and
of 40 is under the pressure of now.
favorite since World War II.
tween then and now. Most of World
"We've had to overlay Desert
War II's 12 million servicemen were
'engelly, a Vietnam vet-
Shield and Desert Storm on top of all
single. Today more than half of this
orts psychologist who
the other things we do," says Kevin
nawa - all at Thanksgiving. Bob
country's 2.2 million active-duty
Olympic-class athletes,
McCarthy, 36, who oversees World
Hope, Johnny Bench, Marie Os-
military people are married, with
the autonomic nervous
USO's entertainment schedule. "We
mond, Walter Payton and more in the
children.
'S reacts to stress in the
have a regular, ongoing concert pro-
Gulf at Christmastime, even as the
That gives USO a target pop-
doesn't matter whether
gram around the world, not just for
Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders were
ulation of 5 million, many based
is a male soldier facing
Saudi Arabia."
swinging through Korea and the,
overseas. With 94 centers abroad
a female police officer
He ticks off the shows he's been
South Pacific. Billy Joel in the Phil-
and 69 stateside - at airports, fleet
a criminal or an ordi-
juggling: Jay Leno in the Persian
ippines three weeks ago.
stops and U.S. bases USO staffers
Gulf, Randy Travis at Guantanamo
"We run the gamut here," Mr.
EN, page E5
Bay, Earth Wind and Fire on Oki-
McCarthy says.
see USO, page E2
in
hich he
come-
USO
ington's boozeless, proper clir
turned some of his confreres of
"You know Marines." he
phrase
From page El
"They'r heavy-partying. ma
sehold.
types. And some of them los
from a
say that today their private, non-
down on it as a place for people
come-
profit organization is more than any-
nowhere else to go."
bed-
thing else a family affair.
But Mr. Eckler married his h
idy."
The war makes that even more
ess, Patricia Cherney. "Right."
ictress
true as troops leave their families for
says. "I thought USO was real n
talk.
the Gulf. says Chapman Cox. 50, the
They had nice people there. per
vas the
former assistant secretary of de-
who really cared about what was
series,
fense who became World USO's
ing on."
president last May
Defense officialdom thinks ti
rfield.
"We have units in Germany that
same. II
Leba-
are much more strained now than
USO has been a home away fro
Ohio.
they ever were." he says. "Now you
home for millions," says Christoph
.ed to
have women and their kids on the
Jehn, assistant secretary of defen
er.
Germany economy. Some of them
for force management and perso
ibs on
don't have high-school educations
nel.
ight I
They don't speak the language.
So there are more than enou
he
Their breadwinner is gone, so their
kind words for a 50th anniversa
went
access is limited. Their demands on
But here's the rub: When Miria
soap
our social services are even greater
than when the guys were there."
Lawrence and Bill Eckler say "USC
With an annual budget of $25 mil-
they mean something rather diffe
adio
lion - not disproportionately great-
ent from Chapman Cox's World US
larie
er than 1941's $1 million - World
World USO, the umbrella organ
ives
USO keeps a paid staff of only 750
zation, serves only military person
worldwide. Some 20,000 volunteers
nel and families based overseas
do most of its work.
Courtesy of USO World Headquarters
spends none of its funds at home
Even so, Desert Storm strains re-
Marlene Dietrich and Irving Berlin were among the many entertainers who
Stateside 32 local groups - char
sources. Just last week USO began a
USO!
50
went overseas to perform for Allied troops during World War II. USO
tered by World USO but independen
drive to raise an extra $1.5 million to
volunteers tried to provide a home away from home for U.S. military.
of it - run, finance, staff and rustl
support families of Gulf troops.
up volunteers for USO's 69 centers
That, Mr. Cox says, is in addition to
the United States.
adjustment and at first little
audience for the tours' video pack-
the $2.5 million Gulf Crisis Fund, in-
ling reputation and iron hand.
"I spend my days combating the
creased now to $3.5 million by Coca-
to do with celebrity entertainment
ages
When a brown-haired, 19-year-old
Bob Hope image, that all we do
USO Camp Shows were not even or-
The technique has an honorable
Cola Co. in a contribution much
slip of a volunteer named Miriam
serve coffee and entertain the
ganized until November 1941 The
history: Bob Hope's pre USO broad-
hyped at Super Bowl time.
Laing went down to the converted
troops," says Gail Moore, a public
"stagedoor" canteens were an inde
casts from home-front military
feed store that was USO headquar-
relations assistant with USO of Met
Now it may skew the skin-show
image, but in some respects USO
pendent product of the American
bases were sponsored by Pepsodent
ters in Front Royal, Va., for example,
ropolitan Washington - a group SO
Theater Wing. Bob Hope. according
toothpaste. But today's language
had families in mind from its very
she had to deal with Mrs. Otis Kibler,
autonomous it plans to redesign its
to his book "Don't Shoot, It's Only
gets in the way Mr. McCarthy. whose
beginning. So says Teri Tynes. a doc-
USO's local director and wife of the
logo to emphasize its distinction
Me." did not do his first USO show
formal title is "director of marketing
toral candidate at the University of
owner of Kibler Furniture - a store
from World USO.
until 1943.
and communications," doesn't
Texas who wrote her dissertation on
that still stands on Main Street. In
With a $500,000 budget, 800 vol-
From the start USO had a relent-
shrink from calling the troops "a
USO's role in creating "a shared en-
those days Front Royal, with a movie
unteers and a staff of "two full-time
tertainment culture."
lessly non-governmental, civilian
captive audience" and USO's cur-
house and a bowling alley and a sin-
equivalents" (in the words of its
and volunteer character. That. Ms.
rent raising technique "cause-
When six civilian social-service
gle big street, supported an Army
punctilious volunteer treasurer. Jo
Tynes says, made it anathema to
based marketing."
agencies pooled their resources 10
training center for the K-9 Corps.
seph Elkins), Washington USO runs
months before Pearl Harbor to cre-
some Washington New Dealers and
Somehow it seems less crass that
"You had to have an interview, or
10 centers and a mobile family sup-
ate USO. Ms. Tynes says, they were
for a time stifled recognition.
in 1942 George Bush's father, Pres-
know Mrs. Kibler. to get in. They
port service in an area that stretches
11-
"They had a long fight. in the fall
cott Bush, went out and raised
responding to some very family-
were very strict about which girls
from Quantico, Va., to Fort Meade,
e
of 1940. to get the government to ac-
$32 million for USO, no ings at-
oriented needs.
were chosen. because we had a lot of
Md.
m
knowledge their activities. There
tached. How's that for a thousand
Adolf Hitler had blitzkrieged his
girls who - weren't completely
From emergency-housing pro-
le
way to the English Channel. British
were people in the Roosevelt admin-
points of light?
moral," says the former Miss Laing.
grams for low-paid enlisted people
e
istration, even Eleanor." Ms Tynes
In fact. those were more ingenu-
forces had been washed into the sea
Now 66 and living in Lewiston,
thrust into Washington's high-rent
says, referring to the president's
times hear some early volun-
at Dunkirk. Buzz bombs were rain-
Utah. she became Miriam Lawrence
market, to job fairs for military
1,
ing on London. Erwin Rommel was
wife. "who believed the government
teers their stories. for World War
in 1944 - and stopped hostessing
spouses and referral desks at all
it
should be the one to do this kind of
II civilians USO service became not
in Africa. The United States, still at
when she married an MP she met at
area airports, the local group is "into
r.
work."
just a personal effort but the duty of
peace, had called men to both its
Front Royal's USO.
the real nitty-gritty," as Ms. Moore
In February 1941. Ms. Tynes
an community, often presided
Army camps and its war industry
To Mrs. Kibler, only single young
puts it. And she worries that poten-
S
centers. And the social dislocation,
says, FDR himself finally endorsed
over by some local doyenne of ster-
women were hostess-eligible. The
tial donors may bypass her chapter
1
Ms. Tynes says, took its toll.
the private sector approach, and
custom forestalled marital conflict.
for World USO, thinking they are the
1
"You had towns with training
USO was on its way
Once past the morality check, "the
same.
camps and towns with industry.
Today the organization keeps ex-
girls" would spend at least one night
Her worry could be misplaced.
These were small little places, and
tremely close ties to the defense es-
a week at USO pouring coffee, serv-
Gary McCartie, program director
tablishment: Its chairman was once
suddenly they were transformed
ing doughnuts and helping GIs write
for country-music station WMZQ-
into burgeoning urban areas. Over-
supreme Allied commander in Eu-
letters home, Mrs. Lawrence recalls.
FM. tells the world that Washington
night a town of 2,000 would become
rope, its ranks are peppered with
"Dating" on USO time - that is,
USO had to cut back its staff and
a town of 15,000," Ms. Tynes says.
former service employees and its
showing exclusive interest in any
move to rent-free quarters at Fort
written memo of understanding
one soldier while on duty - was for-
Myer in Arlington last year for lack
"They had a critical shortage of
with the Defense Department gives
bidden. Once-a-week dances were
of funds. And he intends to do some-
housing. Children were going to
it an inside track in "representing
strictly chaperoned. Dress was ca-
thing about it. through a station-
schools where there weren't enough
civilian concern" for military per-
sual but pants were taboo.
sponsored $250,000 fund drive for
teachers for them. Camp followers
sonnel.
"With Mrs. Kibler we couldn't
the local chapter.
would come and set up shop, so you
But USO continues its private
have gotten in if we wore what the
Maybe that is the way it works,
had a problem with the vice trade.
traditions, accepting money only
girls wear now," Mrs. Lawrence says.
after all. Teri Tynes, the tracer of
The immediate need was to address
from non-governmental donors -
Then she laughs. "I guess I'm show-
USO history, says she was drawn to
the social problems, but agencies
from United Way to Coca-Cola to
ing my age.
her subject because of what it told
like the Salvation Army couldn't
"Joe Smith on the street," as Mr. Cox
Emily Kibler, 91 now, still lives in
her about this country.
keep up with all the requests for so-
puts it.
Front Royal. And to judge by
"It struck me as peculiar that in
cial workers."
That way is not fail-safe: Slipshod
servicemen's response to USO over
the United States all these people
So. with memories still fresh
bookkeeping and scant contribu-
the years, the kind of prim, home-
would make such an effort to boost
from World War I, when they had
tions typical of peacetime almost
baked quality she stamped into her
the morale of their troops. I thought
worked separately and redundantly,
killed USO five years ago. Today. in
center lived on despite the Dallas
that said something unusual about
the six groups the Salvation Army,
what some call a necessary turn to-
Cowboys Cheerleaders - in USOs
how America saw its Army," she
the YMCA and YWCA. National
ward commercialism, USO licenses
around the country.
says.
Catholic Community Services, Na-
everything from T-shirts to "Desert
At least that's so, according to Bill
think people in this country see
tional Traveler's Aid and the Na-
Storm" watches (as long as they
Eckler, 38, a drugstore manager in
their Army as a civilian one, even
tional Jewish Welfare Board came
meet its standards of taste) It sells
Santa Ana, Calif. Mr. Eckler, sta-
though it's volunteer. And I think
together into USO as a way to coordi-
its tours to corporate sponsors that
USO show aboard a fleet ship in
tioned in Washington, D.C., as a Ma-
their attitude is this: These Army
nate their relief of wartime stress.
relish the chance to get their names
1944. Entertainment was one
rine drummer during the last days
people are regular people. And they
It had everything to do with fam-
before the troops and, later, the TV
of USO's later services.
of the Vietnam War, says USO Wash-
need reminders of home."
Cho Stars Stripes
"To Care For Him Who Shall
Have Borne The Battle And
For His Widow And His Orphan
Abraham Lincoln
THE ONLY NATIONAL VETERANS NEWSPAPER
NUMBER 8
WASHINGTON, D.C., MONDAY, 25 FEBRUARY 1991
75c PER COPY
From Coffee And Donuts To
few know it stands for United Serv-
the commissary, to "respite" ba-
ice Organizations.
bysitting to a friendly ear.
The 'USOasis Mobile'
Chartered by Congress, but pri-
"Desert Shield brought prob-
vately financed, the USO was
lems," said Hardiman, "but Desert
founded by several civilian service
Storm brought problems and anxi-
donations, the USO coffers have
agencies in 1941 at the urging of
eties. There are more wives that
By Karen Timmons
suddenly swelled from numerous
President Franklin Roosevelt.
need listening to."
corporate benefactors. In Septem-
Celebrating its 50th anniversary
In San Diego, local USO direc-
Washington, DC (UPI)--Virtually
ber, Adler said, five major corpo-
this month, the USO operates 38
tor Terri Waldie says the center
forgotten for years by the Ameri-
rations--Coca Cola, American
centers in the United States and
sponsors weekly family nights,
can public, the USO is now
International Group, AT&T,
160 abroad, including two in the
providing free meals to up to 350
flooded with donations and volun-
ARCO and Anheuser Busch--each
Middle East, in Bahrain and the
people. Housing is a particular
teers eager to offer soldiers and
gave $500,000 grants to seed the
United Arab Emirates port of
problem in the area, he said, and
their families a host of new mo-
USO's Gulf Crisis Fund.
Dubai where many soldiers arrive
the USO works with local agen-
rale-boosting services.
Other firms have given "in
in the Gulf region.
cies to find affordable units for the
They're still serving coffee and
kind" donations, Adler said, such
Adler said the USO is awaiting
many military families there.
donuts at USO centers around the
clearance to set up operations in
Waldie said the USO is also
as 5,000 Sony Walkmans for the
world, but the troops of Operation
troops or the Montgomery Ward
Saudi Arabia, including its travel-
gearing up to provide hotel space
Desert Storm and their families at
department store chain's "better
ing USOasis Mobile Van, a 3 1/2-
for families who come in to visit
than a letter" program allowing
ton truck outfitted with a soda
wounded soldiers and sailors.
home are also getting free phone
calls, help with home repairs,
soldiers and their families to film
fountain, popcorn machine, large
At the USO of Georgia head-
emergency grocery money and an
and send videotapes to one another
screen TV, VCR, video disk player
quarters in Atlanta, which serves
array of emotional support pro-
for free.
and a portable stage.
four major military bases and the
grams--all funded with donations.
And then there is Bob Hope and
While its Middle East centers
third largest population of reserv
Since Operation Desert Shield
several other celebrities who have
offer free five-minute phone calls
ists deployed to the Gulf, execu
began in August, donations have
donated their talent to entertain the
home and the traditional refresh-
tive director Mary Lou Austin sai
been "way up," according to Amy
troops for USO shows.
ments and entertainment, USOs on
one local program that has beer
Adler, spokeswoman for USO
USO officials have no firm esti-
the homefront are also treading
most appreciated is the maps of the
world headquarters in Washing-
mate of the donations it's received
new ground.
Middle East given to military
ton.
since August, but Adler says it's
At the Jacksonville, NC, USO
families.
"Everyone is thinking of us,"
clearly "in the millions." She
center near the Camp Lejeune
"People have told me, 'm
Adler said. "Shopping malls have
added the sudden largesse is in
Marine base, director Matt Har-
child, before he goes to bed a
given us the money from their
stark contrast to the period since
diman says "host families" have
night, he touches the map and say
ponds. A little boy at a school in
the late 1980s when "we were in
taken the families of deployed
'this is where my daddy is.' It's a
Iowa wrote us he's having a sale to
financial difficulties.
Marines under their wings and
emotional linkage that means a lc
raise money. One law firm gave us
"In peace time they (the general
provide everything from a ride to
See From Coffee, Pg. 1
the money they would have spent
public) forget about us," she said.
on happy hour after work. During
"But the service people don't."
Christmas a lot of offices skipped
Most Americans connect the
their Christmas parties and sent us
USO with the coffee and donuts
the money."
and dances of WWII canteens or
In addition to such individual
the ubiquitous Hope shows, but
NATION
USO Takes Curtain Call in Desert
SUMMARY: The USO has always been the home away from home for
American servicemen, especially overseas and during wartime. The
venerable United Service Organization network Is smaller now, but
corporate support is Increasing for Its 160 clubs, and the USO is
finding a new role In support of U.S. troops in the Persian Gulf.
The old show biz saw
"The show must go on"
takes on new meaning
USO
when the performance
WAR
venue is the back of a
tank on the front line of
a war zone. And when
comedian Jay Leno
IN THE GULF
brought his stand-up
routine to troops sta-
tioned on the border between Saudi Arabia
and Kuwait late last year. he was participat-
ing in a 50-year-old tradition that has be-
come an integral part of the U.S. military
during wartime: the USO show.
Born of an effort to give American sol-
diers a touch of home away from home
during the tumult of World War II, the
USO's mission remains similar to the one
given it at its inception in February 1941.
It was then that President Franklin D. Roo-
sevelt, working with representatives from
the YMCA, YWCA. National Jewish Wel-
fare Board, Salvation Army and National
Travelers Aid Association, conceived a
PHOTOS BY uso
plan to build morale and provide recreation
for the rapidly growing armed forces.
Within three years of its founding. the
changed clientele. Sure. there still are hot
ROAD TOVIET NAM
United Service Organization reached its
coffee and doughnuts. but today's USO is
apex of activity with more than 3,000 clubs
truly a family affair that reflects the fact that
around the globe. And at the same time that
54 percent of those serving in the military
soldiers were enjoying Saturday night
today are married with children. By con-
dances, the USO Camp Show Division was
trast. more than 60 percent of U.S. troops
busy creating a show business legend that
serving in Vietnam were single.
lives on today.
"Our response to the changing face of
From 1941 to 1947, the USO presented
the armed forces started some time ago,"
a remarkable 428,521 performances. In
says World USO President Chapman Cox.
1945 alone, it put on an average 700 shows
"Most of it began in the mid-1980s when
a day. Audiences have ranged from 25 men
our centers overseas started really focusing
at a lonely outpost to more than 15,000
more on family needs. Today we have
troops gathered in Korea for a glimpse of
women's resource centers. intercultural
Marilyn Monroe in 1954.
programs and all kinds of training in how
Today, even though the number of cen-
to get along overseas."
ters has dwindled to 160 and the nonprofit
With the Persian Gulf war forcing the
USO meant packages from home and
organization no longer receives govern-
temporary estrangement of thousands of
shows aboard ship in World War II, or
ment funding, the USO is still a vital orga-
families both Stateside and abroad, the
Santa Claus with Bob Hope in Vietnam.
nization. It is riding a crest of renewed
USO is marshaling its forces to provide
support derived from an increasing respect
support services to family members left
of service life behind her, including other
for those serving in the military, revised
behind. such as Jennifer White and Debra
lengthy periods away from her husband.
programming designed to meet the needs
Pacheco of Jacksonville. N.C., near the
But for White, the separation from her
of an all-volunteer armed force and a
sprawling Marine Corps complex at Camp
spouse of less than two years has been
healthy revival of old-fashioned patriotism.
Lejeune. Both are wives of Marines serv-
acute.
With an operating budget of $24 million
ing on the front lines in the Gulf conflict.
"This is the first time since we've been
annually and 20,000 volunteers who sup-
White is pregnant with her first child, while
married that I've been separated from my
port a staff of 750, the USO has expanded
Pacheco is the mother of three children
husband, and it's hard," says White. "I
its mission to meet the needs of a vastly
under the age of 10. Pacheco has 10 years
started coming to the USO about a month
22
INSIGHT FEBRUARY 25. 1991
Victoria Tennant, visited in the fall, they
simply shook hands and said hello to the
soldiers, but that did not stop those who
saw the comedian from sending their
thanks.
"You can't imagine how much it means
to us to know that we are not forgotten."
wrote one soldier to the USO. "It is people
like yourselves that make our United States
the best country in the world."
USO
All frontline shows ceased when the war
began, but according to McCarthy, the
USO is working with Gen. H. Norman
Schwarzkopf's staff to arrange for more
Leno kept Desert Shield troops laughing during a show in Saudi Arabia last fall.
entertainment. And even if it is several
months before the USO can put performers
ago, and if it wasn't for the USO I would
getting a power of attorney for someone to
back in the war zone, there still will be
just be sitting at home and watching the
taking care of having somebody's car
plenty of opportunities to keep morale high
television, and that wouldn't be doing me
fixed." he says. "We've provided transpor-
- at least if Janet Koster, the USO's direc-
any good at all."
tation to hospitals, churches. college.
tor of programs, has her way.
For Pacheco, the USO has been a par-
We've had brand-new wives and premature
If McCarthy takes care of the glitz, Kos-
ticular source of help for her children, who,
babies.
And if it's something we can't
ter takes care of the grunts. A hands-on
she says, beg her to take them there each
handle right off the bat. we can provide
manager, she tries to visit as many of the
day after school. "The two oldest both
referrals to family agencies that can help."
160 USO centers as possible. But with no
know what's going on, and it's been hard
centers in Saudi Arabia - the nearest are
for them." she says. "With my youngest,
n the front lines. the USO is mar-
in Dubai and Bahrain - Koster has had to
it's really hit hardest because she's used to
o
shaling its resources to provide
search for ways to get services to the men
having Daddy around. But every day when
soldiers with a touch of home and
and women on the front lines. She is work-
I go to pick them up at school, they want
first-class entertainment. As in earlier
ing to prepare several mobile USO units to
to come back here."
wars, it is not an easy mission.
take out into the field with surefire morale
The two women help answer the phones
"There is something electric about be-
boosters. "In addition to food and bev-
at the Jacksonville USO, which sits amid
ing able to do what we do." says Kevin
erages, they've got state-of-the-art stereo
five Marine bases and is the sole remaining
McCarthy. production director for all the
and video equipment," she says. They also
original USO center. They offer support to
USO shows overseas. "Out on the desert
are equipped with cellular phones.
each other and other Marine wives as well
everyone is really spread out. so you've got
Such projects cost a lot of money that
as take advantage of the recreational facili-
someone like Steve Martin or maybe Jay
for the most part comes from donations.
ties. And on those days when it seems as
Leno doing a routine before 25 soldiers.
"I'd really like to see us expand so that we
though the good times are all behind them,
And for these soldiers. it is a really impor-
had a USO center at every armed forces
they know they can turn to Matt Hardiman,
tant experience. They say, These guys
base," she says. "But money is tight and
the center's director, for support.
really care about me enough to be here.'
funds are getting harder and harder to come
Hardiman, a retired Marine sergeant
Both the logistics of the desert and the
by."
major who served in Korea and Vietnam,
cultural sensitivity of the Saudis play a part
While corporate sponsors such as Coca-
is the stuff of which USO legends are
in the type of entertainment the USO can
Cola, Anheuser-Busch, AT&T and Arco
made. In addition to overseeing the phys-
offer. There are no high-hecled dancers
have donated millions to the USO's Gulf
ical plant. he sometimes must also oversee
there. In fact. no unmarried female enter-
war efforts, it is the mostly unrecognized
a little morale boosting, particularly among
tainers are allowed to enter Saudi Arabia,
contributions of millions of individuals that
newly recruited servicemen.
a fact that came to light when the Saudis
have kept the USO afloat for 50 years, says
Occasionally someone will need a little
denied veteran USO performer Brooke
its president.
bolstering, he says. "But we have a saying
Shields a visa.
Corporate support is definitely increas-
in the Marines: 'Kick ass and take names.
In addition, says McCarthy, the military
ing. says Cox, "but over the years we have
So I'll get a guy and I'll say, 'What's the
commanders do not want to gather too
had an enormous goodwill from very, very
matter with you? Go ahead and make that
many soldiers together in one place for fear
faithful individuals who've always re-
phone call to your mother and father, call
of tempting the enemy. So, like desert no-
sponded to us when we've asked."
your girlfriend.' But loneliness is basically
mads, the USO entertainers travel end-
When Americans think of the USO,
something that wears off after a while.
lessly along the front lines. often making
Cox says, he hopes they conjure up these
After five or six months in the Corps, it
eight or nine stops a day. And while there
images: top-notch celebrity entertainment
feels like home."
has been little in the way of glitz. the
as well as a helping hand and a touch of
With Desert Storm in full swing, Har-
soldiers have responded to visits by such
home to the troops and their loved ones.
diman has found that in addition to his
celebrities as Gerald McRaney. the star of
For all the services it provides, he stresses,
regular USO duties he has been required to
CBS's "Major Dad," and boxer Tommy
the USO is mainly "a place where you can
don more than a few other hats.
Hearns with heartfelt enthusiasm.
feel some kind of connection."
"Last month, we did everything from
When Steve Martin and his wife. actress
- Gayle Hanson
INSIGHT / FEBRUARY 25. 1991
23
teb. 1491
I
Dear Billy,
I am writing you this
letter to let you know of my
appreciation for your visit to
Clark air Base in the Phillipines.
My daughter, Senior airman
Shelley A. Redmond, has been in
the Phillipines since December of
1989 and will be stationed there
all goes well with the War in
until May of 1991. That is, if
the Gulf and she doesn't get sent
there first.
anyways, Shelley was extremely
excited about the concert you
performed over there, and when
she called mee about it, she informed
me that it was the greatest
concert she had ever seen and
her and the rest of the military
was so greatful to you for showing
She also told me of how you
an event she will never forget!
talked about the war to them,
and that it made her even more
proud of herself. In my heart
I know she is very scand, but
II
at the same time I know she is
proud to be a part of america,
her. and, we too, are very proud of
is this.
My point for writing to you
Shelley sent me a 2 article
that was in the Phillipine flyer
telling of your concert. It was
the article is where I received
very interesting. lit the end of
this address, so I decided to
my daughter so excited and happy!
write and thank you for making
These mere and women need
more puple, like yourself, to let
them know we are all behind
I know that it would be
them and also praying for them.
greatly appreciated if you would
write a letter to Shelley and
maybe throw in an autographed
photo of yourself! I know it
special! I realize you are a
would make her feel very
very busy person and I would
III
understand if you can't, but I
just thought it would help her
to get through this time of war.
again, I thank you from
the bottom of my heart. you
really are a great singer, but
most of all you are one special
person.
a Big Fan,
Janet Redmond
P.O. Box 59
W. Pgh., Pa. 16160
P.S.
Shelley's address is:
SRA Redmond, Shelley A.
PSC 2 Box 14356
APO SAN FRANCISCO, CA. 96311
P.S.S.
Shelley has no idea I wrote
it would be a nice supprise!
you this letter - I just thought
Thanks for your time !!
2.5 NOV lago
Dear not Leno:
t is visits such as your that will
t 3d Marines in the chilly debert
a warm aloha from your friends !
1 overs. The time you spent will
e long remembered after this party
up smiles on OWL from 100 foled the
ne herer spent .
the Holy landl is about all any
although we realize one trip to
in there Right mind careled stand,
Inci like to invite you back anytime
1 marines again you'll
if guess if you intenal wait on visiting
1 visit us. Being a Same man its
the get back Harraii.
life for adding that personnel her! touch !
again Thank you and thank your
total you wouldn't keep
Semper J'
Carl Vincenti
usme BOSTON
Dear Billy Joel,
I wanted to write you and tell you how much your visit to Clark AB, Philippines
meant to us. All we ever hear about is how much support the troops in Saudi
get. No one thinks about us here in the PI, how we are usually locked on the
ase and can't go anywhere. I realize that we aren't in a war zone but we are
jetting shot at and are at the mercy of terrorists threats all the time. Your
:oncert was the "social event of the season", it was the highlight of my tour
iere. It really means a lot to us that a major entertainer such as yourself
yould take time out to tour bases overseas. I hope you realize how much your
:oncert brightened our lives. Your concert was the only thing on our minds
rom the day we found out you were coming and even now everyone is still
alking about it.
'our concert was great. I was afraid that when it started raining you might
ave to stop, but instead you kept going. If I ever get a chance to see
nother one of your concerts I will definetly go. Don't ever stop being the
Piano Man", and take care.
oh
oh E. Faber
E.
ohn E. Fakes
SC #3 Box 15736
PO SF, CA 96432
RECEIVED 2 0 1990
THIRD SQUADRON
THIRD ARMORED CAVALRY REGIMENT
3/3
Dear General Davison,
9 Nov 90
yesterday, Mr Richard Henry Hearn. of
in Saudi arabia Warkanged a
the boxer to visit squahon
the USO arought Tomarie
and my command surgeant the major
sparring match between Hearn
It was a great hit, troper
lood it.
thank you and soldiers the USO for
My purpose in writing is to
brightening my day.
Brave Rifler
J.H. DALY, JR.
then Daly
LTC, CAVALRY
COMMANDING
5 1990
9 NOV 1990
bcc: Chapman Cox
OPS Committee
Dear Mr. Henry,
Thanks so much for bringing Me
"Tommy "Hearns to our base here in
support of "Resert Sheild You will
be suprised what little things line
that does to bost morale. It
shows CA that somebody as it back
home. Please keep up the yood
work.
your Com hiend,
Tsyt John Schaver
136 TALL Deployed
APC NY 09856
GOD BLESS THE USA by Lee Greenwood
If tomorrow all the things were gone I's worked for all my life
and I had to start again with just my children and my wife, I'd
thank my lucky stars to be living here today 'cause the flag
still stands for freedom and they can't take that away.
CHORUS:
And I'm proud to be an American where at least I know I'm free.
And I won't forget the men who died who gave that right to me and
I gladly stand up next to you and defend her still today 'cause
there ain't no doubt I love this land. God bless the USA.
From the lakes of Minnesota to the hills of Tennessee, across the
plains of Texas, from sea to shining sea. From Detroit down to
Houston, St. Louis to L.A., there's pride in every American heart
and it's time we stand and say.
CHORUS:
That I'm proud
CHORUS AGAIN:
And I'm proud
21 oct 90
Dear Mr. Martin,
L am sure you ie received
several letter but d felt Com-
pelled to write. My name is
Major John Licle from the
82nd Airborne Division. d was
fortunate enough to meet you
and your wife on your world wind
tour to Saudi Lt was abvious
you were absolutely exhausted with
the schedule you and your lonely
wife were on. Lhe important issue
at hand was that you continued
to push yourself and the troops
appreciated it. for a person
as famous as you, to not only
dedicate valuable time but then
to physically and mentally push
yourself as you did meant a
great deal. Its important to
gives a shit and strade with
these greys to know somebody
them under the american Glay.
L am proud of what d do
and its great to know folks like
you Lot letus know that our country
can show such great support.
is behind us all the way.
this letter is q little but L
Mr Mortin, you might think
thought what you important to
and it meant a lot. Thonks you
and "america's your wife Good from of Honor." a soldier in
IN THIS ISSUE
DECEMBER 24, 1990
D
1
0
weekly
56
LENO OF ARABIA: OF
MORALE AND MEN
Over Thanksgiving weekend, co-
median and Tonight Show guest
host Jay Leno flew to Saudi Ara-
bia to boost the spirits of front-
line troops. He was not the first
Hollywood visitor to the desert.
Comedian Steve Martin and his
wife, Victoria Tennant, went
there in October. But partially
in deference
JAMES KENAH ©1990
SCENE
Thanksgiving dinner? I can't believe you
guys are complaining. Then they'd start
laughing and throw spoons at me. I only
century. You just go from caravan to cara-
used a couple of Saddam Hussein jokes,
van, stand on something, start talking and
like, "I saw Hussein on TV, and I thought,
hope a crowd gathers. The one advantage
'Boy, Noriega's face has cleared up.
to this was these guys really had nothing
Mavis got most of the attention. These
else to do.
guys hadn't seen a woman out of uniform
My concern was not to be some kind of
in 90 days. I'd be struggling to crawl out
rabble-rouser, some flag-waving war
of a tank, and eight soldiers would be say-
booster, so I didn't do any Arab-bashing
ing, "Can I help you, Mrs. Leno?"
jokes or Muslim-religion jokes-that's
I'd just seen The Civil War on PBS. I was
not my job. I had some dirty jokes pre-
very moved seeing those kids who were 17
pared, but the guys didn't seem to want
years old with guns, and then I'd look out
that, which was fine with me. I did what I
at the sand from this tank in the middle of
usually do: talk about my folks, about TV
the desert and see the same kids: The
shows, Milli Vanilli. These soldiers are
uniform is different, but they're holding
kids after all, and that's what they're inter-
guns bigger than they are. It really hit me.
ested in. I'd get one of the prepackaged
There are a few soldiers who look like
meals the guys get and eat a little and say,
men-three-day stubble, big workout
"Boy, this stuff is delicious. What is this,
arms, guys who look like Sergeant Rock.
But then you have these kids, it's the same
"A lot of guys
young faces looking at you. Mavis said,
have written to say
"Twenty years ago I'd have been con-
they had a good
time with it, says
cerned about these guys' girlfriends. Now
the comedian, sign-
I'm concerned about their moms." The
ing an autograph
weapons are more sophisticated now, but
at a desert stop.
what's worse? A bayonet at Gettysburg
with no medical attention or gassed in
Saudi Arabia with a chemical weapon?
"Mavis was the
One is as bad as the other.
star of the show,"
I didn't hear anybody talking with a sort
quips Leno of his
wife, who happily
of gung ho, let's-kill-'em attitude. I think
it's different from Vietnam. Most of the
posed with the
troops.
guys were really concerned about how the
Saudis treat women. They thought it was
"My biggest fear
genuinely unfair. Twenty years ago people
was I'd look like
would probably have said, "So what?"
Dukakis standing
Wives and girlfriends, by the way,
on the tank," says
shouldn't worry that their guys are run-
Leno, firing a one-
ning around with women over there.
liner at the soldiers.
There isn't much chance of that! Another
thing that was nice to see was men and
women of all races and walks of life hang-
ing out together.
The soldiers gave me about 200 names
of all these parents. I've been calling them
up and saying, like, "I saw Timmy." And
they go, "Where was he? How's he do-
ing?" People are so happy that you call,
you feel good about it. I don't know
what's going to happen eventually, but
while I was there, I would really look at
each person I met and try to remember his
face. I can't remember everyone, but I was
thinking, "Gee, is one of these kids going
to get killed?" It would be great fun for
me, 15 years from now, to have one of
those people come up to me in Vegas and
say, "Hey, remember me? I was the guy in
the third row in the tank battalion.' I
would love to be able to remember them,
because I'd like to see them all again.
58
FRIDAY, DECEMBER 7, 1990
The Washington Post
The USO, Troupers For the Troops
Timely Tribute to 50 Years of Service
By Phil McCombs
Washington Post Staff Writer
The USO celebrated its 50th anniversary last night with a
gala dinner for 1,000 guests and dignitaries at the Omni
Shoreham. It was a happy evening celebrating half a century
of "caring, service and love" for American service personnel,
and yet unhappy too, in that once again salving the psycho-
logical stresses of impending war is a growth industry. USO
officials announced they will soon have three service centers
open in the Persian Gulf region, one inside Saudi Arabia it-
self, with others in Dubai and Bahrain.
BY HARRY NALTCHAYAN-THE WASHINGTON POST
Boxing champion Thomas "Hit Man" Hearns, who recently
did a handshake tour in Saudi Arabia under USO auspices
Rep. Tom Ridge, left, and boxer Thomas Hearns last night.
and pronounced it "great," was there last night. "To be
picked to go and help the morale of the troops, I got a great
deal out of it. It made me feel really good," he said. And the
troops loved him too, according to a short film on USO tours
girls. Hope, 87, has been entertaining Amer-
$3.5 million during the past five years.
shown last night. There was Hearns, doing a little pickup
ican forces abroad at Christmas since 1941
Busch came to the rescue when the USO
match with one of the soldiers, surrounded by cheering on-
with gala shows including plenty of starlets
lookers.
was between wars and in managerial disar-
and irreverent humor.
"The Saudis don't have the same idea about a good time as
ray in 1985, and kept with the task until the
we do," said Rep. John D. Dingell (D-Mich.), explaining why
"Hope can't do his normal show because of
organization was again healthy. "It's our way
comedian Steve Martin had to confine him-
Saudi restraints," said Executive Vice Presi-
of saying 'thank you' to the men and women
self to a "handshake tour" and why Bob
dent Richard Henry. Kevin McCarthy, exec-
who defend our country," he said last night.
utive producer of the USO's entertainment
Hope's act will be scaled down. Of course, he
An Outstanding Civic Achievement award
programs, said, "We don't have a cast from
added, "Those military personnel are not
Bob" yet, but that when one arrives, it will
was given to advertising executive Keith
over there for shows."
be submitted to the Defense Department for
Reinhard, who during that same period do-
Would that they were.
approval, which in turn will make sure that
nated ad and public relations services that
"It is the USO challenge to minister to the
the Saudis are not offended.
generated $25 million for the privately fund-
deep human needs resulting from the hard-
But the emphasis last night was on the
ed charity organization. And President
ships" American service personnel are suf-
positive-on the more than 150 USO cen-
Bush's father, Prescott Bush, was honored
fering in the gulf region today as they await a
ters around the world where lonely service
posthumously with a Christmas Award for
possible war, said World USO President
personnel can get "a smile and a hot cup of
having spearheaded the stunning $32 million
Chapman B. Cox. He added that "Bob Hope
coffee," on the American corporations who
fund-raising drive that launched the United
have donated millions of dollars to provide
Service Organizations in 1941 on the eve of
is going for Christmas," and said in a private
off-duty services for the troops deployed on
America's entry into World War II.
interview that Hope will be entertaining as
well as greeting troops inside Saudi Arabia.
Operation Desert Shield, and on certain key
William Prescott Bush-the president's
figures on the American landscape who have
nephew-was on hand to accept this award,
USO officials made it clear last night that
made the USO a vital concern.
recalling his grandfather as "a tall, hand-
the details are not yet nailed down, one of
August A. Busch III, who runs the world's
some, successful man with a great sense of
the principal difficulties being the "sensitivi-
largest brewery, Anheuser-Busch, out in St.
humor and a love of life." He also recalled
ties" of the conservative Moslem culture to
Louis, received the USO's Great American
that the elder Bush was a devoted member
such standard USO show fare as dancing
award last night for contributions totaling
of a barbershop quartet from 1926 to 1962.
To: RichardHerry
18 Dea.
Mr. Smith t Mr. Hearna
cl would like to thank you from the
bottom of my heart for all you and Mr.
Hearna have done.
Mr. Hearns it really helped me abt
when cl saw that someone as famous as
you cared enough about us to quie up at
least two weeks of his life. cl felt like
everyone back home had forgotten us, but
you showed me that people still remembered.
what you did will never be forgotten,
Hopefully cl will be able to look back on
This and tell all my friends how dl
meet the Hitman in the desert. Everyday
when l come back to my tent I'm
usually pretty depressed but when it are
that picture of you it gives me a much
needed boost.
told my wife about you money
Times and she was very impressed. at
just meant so much to me, words cant
describe how much you have helped me.
in just so thankful. you are really a
great person inside and out.
ce hope you have a very Merry Christmas
and a Happy New year. Thank you again.
you will be in my prayers on Christmas
Day as l thank the bond for all the some
people that have supported na. May the
Lord truly Bless you Mr. Hearn because
the lord has blessed me through you.
SGT Thigpin
S cln His Name,
Personnel P.A. 703 325 command 8856 Valerie
437 Supply Deployed
APO NY 09856
Desert Stield
G
USO
WORLD HEADQUARTERS
601 Indiana Avenue, N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20004
(202) 783-8121 FAX: (202) 638-4716
1941 FIFTY YEARS SERVICE TO SERVICE PEOPLE . 1991
USO CASE STATEMENT
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
USO is a voluntary, civilian nonprofit organization devoted exclusively to serving the
human needs of military personnel and their families worldwide.
USO is not part of the U.S. government and receives no direct federal funding. It
relies on voluntary, private contributions from the American public through individual and
corporate donations, United Way and Combined Federal Campaign.
Since its founding by President Franklin D. Roosevelt in 1941, USO has fostered the
creation of a viable understanding and interaction between the military and civilian
communities in the United States and overseas and has responded to the special needs of
service personnel. And as those needs have changed over the past five decades, the USO
has adapted, developed, and improved.
USO today is far more than just another service organization; it's a vital element in
our nation's mobilization for peace. USO is the channel through which the American
public can support the unique needs of our modern, transient, peacetime military. The
morale and spirit of our servicemembers are prime factors in maintaining combat
readiness--America's first line of defense.
Over 2 million Americans wear an armed services uniform. Their spouses and
children add another 3 million, bringing the total military population to over 5 million.
Most military personnel are between the ages of 18 and 25 years, and over 54% are married
with children. More than a million are in the lowest paid enlisted ranks. For today's
military personnel and their families, TRANSIENCY is a way of life. At any given time,
over 820,000 men and women - plus many of their families - are stationed outside the
United States on a peacekeeping mission for our national defense.
Although military families mirror the trends of our ever-changing society (more
working mothers, an increased number of single parents, aggregate families with two sets
of divorced parents), the higher rate of transiency sets them apart from their civilian
counterparts.
Military service is a job to which no other can be compared. Armed forces personnel
are often uprooted and transferred several times during their careers, creating special
problems and needs for the young servicemember, spouse and children living in isolated
areas far from loved ones and familiar support services. Spouses leave careers, children
adjust to new schools in new, often unfriendly surroundings. The mission of service life
precludes any permanent basing. And military personnel have made a commitment to be
ready to fight and even die for that mission.
President George Bush
Bob Hope
Admiral William J. Crowe, Jr., USN (Ret.)
Heinz C. Prechter
Ambassador of Good Will
Co-Chairman USO 50th Anniversary Celebration
Co-Chairman. USO 50th Anniversary Celebration
Executive Summary
Page Two
Because of the unusual demands of service life (growing tensions in the world that
require long deployments and "remote" tours to locations away from family members),
military personnel and their families face numerous challenges not always present in the
typical American family.
Culture shock, language and ethnic barriers in foreign countries, loneliness and
boredom, lack of adequate on-base housing, financial difficulties and lack of adequate child
care are just a few of the stressful problems exacerbated by the unique elements of military
life.
USO services are aimed at today's transient military groups: military travelers on
their way to new assignments, fleet sailors and marines in foreign ports (and their visiting
families), groups on training exercises, servicemembers and families arriving at new duty
stations, and those on leave. USO plays an important role in providing the military family
with services and programs which are immediate, targeted to specific groups and needs, and
often focus upon preventive measures that can enhance military life.
At more than 160 locations worldwide including recently opened centers in the
Middle East, the core of USO today is a human service program offered through Airport
Centers, Fleet Centers, Family and Community Centers, Orientation and Intercultural
Programs and Celebrity Entertainment.
As long as military personnel continue to be uprooted and transferred, and their
families located far from familiar support services, assistance to transients will continue to
be a primary focus of USO's programming.
Through the assistance offered by USO, our military personnel are able to
concentrate more fully on the job at hand: defending our freedom.
The USO needs American citizens and corporations to support its efforts. Through
such support, USO can expand its commitment to serve the morale and well-being of the
men and women who are defending our national interests around the globe.
USO
WORLD HEADQUARTERS 601 Indiana Avenue, N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20004
(202) 783-8121 FAX: (202) 638-4716
1941 FIFTY YEARS SERVICE TO SERVICE PEOPLE . 1991
USO's MISSION
The USO is a congressionally chartered, nongovernmental, nonprofit organization.
For over 50 years, its mission has been to enhance the quality of life for military
personnel -- single or married -- and their families by helping them adjust to the special
rigors of a transient military life style and by fostering a viable partnership between the
military and civilian communities.
The goals of USO are well expressed in the words of one of our country's first
citizen soldiers, General George Washington, who said: "When we assumed the soldier,
we did not lay aside the citizen." In other words, military personnel have the same
social needs and commitments to loved ones as other private citizens. USO's mission
is to address those needs.
To achieve its mission, USO:
Articulates the needs and desires of the military and civilian communities
to each other;
Develops and delivers support services for integration of military personnel
and their families into civilian communities;
Initiates and implements programs that promote interaction between the
military and civilian communities;
Promotes the "quality of life" of military personnel and delivers pertinent
services to support them.
To ensure continuing financial and volunteer support, part of USO's mission is to
make the public aware of the services it provides to military personnel worldwide. This
is becoming increasingly difficult since fewer people have had military experience, and
those who have not are less aware of the rigors of military life. During World War II,
American soldiers numbered 12 million; today they number 2.2 million. Fifty-four
percent are between 18 and 25 years old, married, and have children. Including family
members, the total population associated with the services is over 5 million. USO must
continue to inform the public that USO is not funded by tax dollars, but depends on
the generosity of the American public.
President George Bush
Bob Hope
Admiral William J. Crowe, Jr., USN (Ret.)
Heinz C. Prechter
Honorary
A PROUD HISTORY
Responding to a call for action from President Franklin D. Roosevelt in 1941, six
nonprofit agencies pooled their resources to form a new organization - the USO
(United Service Organizations). The six civilian agencies were the Salvation Army,
Young Men's Christian Association (YMCA), Young Women's Christian Association
(YWCA), National Catholic Community Services, National Traveler's Aid Association
and the National Jewish Welfare Board.
Throughout World War II, USO was the channel for community participation in
the war effort. In over 3,000 communities, USO centers were established to become
the G.I.'s "Home Away From Home." Between 1940 and 1944, U.S. troops grew from
50,000 to 12 million and their need for a variety of services grew accordingly.
With the United States' entry into the Korean War, USO was on hand here and
abroad. The ending of the Korean conflict in 1953 had relatively little effect on
decreasing the need for USO services -- more than a million servicemembers remained
stationed abroad.
In the absence of overt conflict, the early 1960s were a difficult time for military
personnel. The G.I. had become a forgotten figure and contributions to USO declined.
A National Ad Hoc USO Survey Committee in 1963 reaffirmed the need for USO, "not
merely during wartime, but perhaps even more during peacetime."
USO played an especially important role for the troops in Vietnam. But in the
early 1970s, with the ending of conscription, the question of USO's mission resurfaced.
In 1974, a report of United Way of America's Committee on National Agency Support
(CONAS) questioned the need for continued financial support for USO. United Way
of America and the Department of Defense conducted a major review of USO
programs and services.
After making on-site visits to USO operations and military bases around the world,
the findings of the committee members concluded, "If there were no USO, another
organization would have to be created Isolation of the military from civilian influences
is not, we believe, in the interest of this nation."
The results of the study launched USO into a new era of peacetime service to the
all-volunteer force. USO international headquarters was relocated from New York to
Washington, D.C., and the USO was firmly established as an international agency
serving the nation's armed forces around the globe.
A Proud History
Page Two
As the 1980s unfolded, the composition of the U.S. Armed Forces changed
dramatically -- no longer primarily single and male; but male and female -- young --
and married. Over 54% of today's military servicemembers are between 18 and 25,
and are married with children. They must handle frequent moves and long separations
-- often in isolated areas--with or without their families on hand--where they face the
problems of culture shock, loneliness, and lack of adequate on-base housing.
USO continues its close association with military leadership. This cooperation
was reemphasized in 1987 with the signing of a new Memorandum of Understanding
between USO and the Department of Defense. The agreement names USO as a
principal channel representing civilian concern for the U.S. Armed Forces worldwide,
under the auspices of the President of the United States and the Secretary of Defense.
It authorizes USO to play an active role in coordinating local civilian community
resources and fostering general civilian interest in the welfare of U.S. Armed Forces
personnel and their families.
Since USO celebrated "50 years of service to service people" on February 4, 1991,
the organization continues to vigorously fulfill its mission to America's military men and
women. Responding to the most recent enormous challenge of Operation Desert
Shield/Storm, USO established centers in the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, and
Saudi Arabia. Also, two "USOasis Mobiles"--mobile vans equipped as full-service USO
centers--were built to travel to the front lines in order to bring a touch of home to
those stationed in more remote locations.
USO's PROGRAMS TODAY
The image of USO in wartime is familiar. Founded when tens of thousands of young men
were drafted on the eve of America's entry into World War II, today's USO has broadened
its scope to reflect the needs of today's service personnel and their families in peacetime. An
updated picture would include the following vignettes:
A young wife travels halfway around the world to meet her husband's ship. She arrives in a
foreign port only to find that the ship has been directed to another location. The USO Fleet
Center staff and volunteers help reunite husband and wife.
A military family arrives in the Washington, D.C. area after a few years overseas. Shortly
after they move into a trailer with their young daughter, it's destroyed by fire. The USO of
Metropolitan Washington's Family Service Program provides an apartment for the family for
two months--rent free.
A TOUCH OF HOME FOR THOSE IN TRANSIT
Through a broad range of programs at over 170 locations-stretching from the DMZ in
Korea to Iceland to the Middle East--USO meets the needs of our citizen soldiers, sailors,
airmen, and marines.
USO programs serve the unique needs of today's transient military groups: military
travelers, fleet sailors and marines in foreign ports (and their visiting families), groups on
training exercises, military families arriving at new duty stations, and those on leave.
Described here are some of the contemporary USO programs that support the military.
AIRPORT CENTERS
USO Airport Centers at more than 39 locations worldwide provide a personal touch and
help with such travel hassles as cancelled connections, foreign language translation, extremely
long lay-overs and missing luggage. Several USOs are open 24 hours a day and offer
important services when other airport facilities are closed.
FLEET CENTERS
At more than 45 locations in the Mediterranean, Pacific, Atlantic, Caribbean, and Middle
East, USO Fleet Operations assist U.S. Navy and Marine personnel and their families in
foreign ports or new domestic assignments. USO fleet staff and volunteers provide a range
of services, including information on hotels, affordable shopping areas, assistance with
language and currency exchange.
USO's Programs Today
Page Two
Critical services are provided especially when ship visits are cancelled, and
families coming from the U.S. are scrambling to get to the next scheduled port of call. USO
fleet support is vital especially in places without American bases such as Haifa, Israel and
Cannes, France, where USO acts as an "official" liaison between host communities and visiting
ships.
FAMILY AND COMMUNITY CENTERS
No matter where American service personnel are stationed, their concerns are similar
to any American family. They must make adjustments to critical life changes, such as new
marriages, parenthood, family separation and relocation.
Family and Community Center programs help military families-often newly married with
a young child--adjust to new surroundings with information on babysitting co-ops, employment
opportunities, parenting, nutrition, budgeting and children's recreational programs.
ORIENTATION AND INTERCULTURAL PROGRAMS
Many USO affiliates offer orientation programs geared to educating new arrivals about
resources within the civilian community, and to help ease the feelings of cultural shock.
Intercultural Understanding is a hallmark of USO's community orientation programming
overseas, fostering positive interaction between local host citizens and their American military
personnel guests.
Community involvement programs enable servicemembers and families to interact with
local residents in programs which benefit the local community while broadening the horizons
of the military personnel involved.
USOs worldwide provide access to important community resources through information
and referral services.
ANOTHER DIMENSION Celebrity Entertainment
In 1941, after the USO was incorporated, Camp Shows Inc. was formed as a separate
corporation affiliated with and supported by the USO. From 1941-47 alone, USO/Camp
Shows presented almost a half-million performances to an audience that totaled more than
two hundred million people. Camp Shows is considered the largest single undertaking in the
history of entertainment.
USO's Programs Today
Page Three
Today, USO shows featuring popular entertainers-Lee Greenwood, Billy Joel, Marie
Osmond, Earth, Wind & Fire, The Pointer Sisiters, and Randy Travis among them--are
effective morale boosters. Even in peacetime, USO shows have a serious purpose. Emotional
fatigue and the stress of living overseas can affect the mental preparedness of troops.
Celebrity entertainers provide a much-needed break in the midst of duty tours overseas. More
importantly, USO shows demonstrate to military personnel that their country is behind them
and supports them, reinforcing the message that America cares about its courageous men and
women in uniform.
The USO has been able to make its celebrity entertainment tours financially
self-sufficient through an innovative marketing program involving corporate sponsorships
between USO and Procter & Gamble, Anheuser-Busch, AT&T, Pan Am, and Northwest
Airlines. Sponsoring corporations receive signage on stage posters, logo visibility on Armed
Forces Radio and Television (AFRTS) broadcasts, and inclusion in all USO press releases and
media events.
THE ORGANIZATION
Today, the USO is made up of more than 170 locations around the world. It has a paid
staff of 750 and utilizes the services of some 20,000 volunteers, including those who serve on
the World Board of Governors, the USO's governing body. Since its founding under the
direction of President Franklin D. Roosevelt, each succeeding U.S. president has maintained
an active presence in USO as Honorary Chairman.
In fact, the late Prescott Bush, the father of today's Honorary Chairman, President George
Bush, played a very significant role in the founding of USO. Prescott Bush was one of four
business leaders recruited by President Franklin Roosevelt to organize the USO in 1941. Mr.
Bush was honored posthumously with the 1990 USO Christmas Award for personally leading
a fundraising effort which netted $32 million for the USO war chest in 1942.
The organizational structure is comprised of two components -- USO World Headquarters
and USO affiliates worldwide. All USO affiliates and their governing councils are chartered
through USO World Headquarters, which acts as the enabling body for all programs, setting
overall policy and strategies, providing training and technical assistance.
USO delivers programs and services to the U.S. Armed Forces community on the local
level through the Chartered USO Council. USO Headquarters entrusts each Council to adapt
its structure, program services and activities to the needs of the local military community, in
conformity with international USO World Headquarters policies and any prevailing Status of
Forces Agreement.
Like most nonprofit agencies, USO depends on dedicated volunteers who give their time,
talents, and services. A recently instituted USO five-year strategic plan strengthens the
organization's volunteer leadership overseas. Volunteer leaders are being prepared to take
more of an active role and assume more fiscal responsibility for USO operations.
(March, 1991)
18:29-31
THE AMERICAN WAY OF LIFE
156
157
Strength and Pro
29 / The enemies of democracy were wrong in their calculations for a
32 / Today there are many A
very simple reason. They were wrong because they believed that democ-
attain freedom from want and
racy could not adjust itself to the terrible reality of a world at war.
are ideals which can never be r
They believed that democracy, because of its profound respect for
must always have poverty and t
the rights of men, would never arm itself to fight.
the people who harp at the Te
They believed that democracy, because of its will to live at peace with
in the habit of breaking one or II
its neighbors, could not mobilize its energies even in its own defense.
Radio address on Washington'
They know now that democracy can still remain democracy and
speak and reach conclusions and arm itself adequately for defense.
The decisions of our democracy may be slowly arrived at. But when
33 / I am everlastingly angry
that decision is made, it is proclaimed not with the voice of any one man
the Four Freedoms and the Atl:
but with the voice of one hundred and thirty millions. It is binding on all
unattainable. If they had lived
of us. And the world is no longer left in doubt.
sneered and said that the Decla
Address at the White House Correspondents' Association dinner, Washington,
they had lived nearly a thousar
D.C., March 15, 1941
roariously at the ideas of the M
thousand years ago they would ]
Mountain with the Ten Commar
30 / The most significant single fact in recent American history is the
Address before the Canadian P:
ability of the American people to face a tough situation and to take orderly
and united action in their own behalf and in behalf of the things in which
they believe.
34 / We are fighting this war a
Radio address on the ninth anniversary of the administration's agricultural pro-
the same essential reason: becau
gram, March 9, 1942
And there is no force and 1
enough to shake that faith.
Campaign address, Chicago, III.,
31 / The four freedoms of common humanity are as much elements of
man's needs as air and sunlight, bread and salt. Deprive him of all these free-
doms and he dies-deprive him of a part of them and a part of him withers.
Give them to him in full and abundant measure and he will cross the thresh-
old of a new age, the greatest age of man.
These freedoms are the rights of men of every creed and every race,
wherever they live. This is their heritage, long withheld. We of the United
Nations have the power and the men and the will at last to assure man's
heritage.
The belief in the four freedoms of common humanity-the belief
in man, created free, in the image of God-is the crucial difference between
ourselves and the enemies we face today. In it lies the absolute unity of our
alliance, opposed to the oneness of the evil we hate. Here is our strength, the
source and promise of victory.
We of the United Nations know that our faith cannot be broken by
any man or any force. And we know that there are other millions who in
their silent captivity share our belief.
Radio address on United Flag Day, June 14, 1942
19:21-22 U.S. IN AN INTERDEPENDENT WORLD
170
will have its voice in determining the order of world affairs in the days to
come.
This, gentlemen, is the living message which the New World can and
does send to the Old. It can be light opening on dark waters. It shows the
path of peace.
Pan American Day address before the Governing Board of the Pan American
Union, Washington, D.C., April 14, 1939
21 / We of this hemisphere have no need to seek a new international order;
we have already found it. This was not won by hysterical outcries, or
violent movements of troops. We do not stamp out nations, capture govern-
ments, or uproot innocent people from the homes that they have built. We
do not invent absurd doctrines of race supremacy, or claim dictatorship
through universal revolution.
The inter-American order was not built by hatred and terror. It has
been paved by the endless and effective work of men of good will. We have
built a foundation for the lives of hundreds of millions. We have unified
these lives by a common devotion to a moral order.
This cooperative peace in the Western Hemisphere was not created
by mere wishing; and it will require more than mere words to maintain.
In this association of nations, whoever touches any one of us touches us all.
We have only asked that the world go with us in the path of peace. But
we shall be able to keep that way open only if we are prepared to meet
force with force if challenge is ever made against us.
We know that what happens in the Old World directly and power-
fully affects the peace and well-being of the New. It was for this very
reason that we have adopted procedures that enable us to meet any eventual-
ity. At Buenos Aires [1936] we agreed that we could consult, should our
peace be threatened. At Lima [1938] we agreed to stand together to defend
and maintain the absolute integrity of every American nation from any
attack, direct or indirect, from beyond the seas. At Panama [1939] we
worked out means for keeping war away from our hemisphere. I pray God
that we shall have to do no more than that; but should it be necessary, I am
convinced that we should be wholly successful. For the inner strength of
a group of free people is irresistible when they are prepared to act.
Pan American Day address before the Governing Board of the Pan American
Union, Washington, D.C., April 15, 1940
1
22
Wherever men and women of good will gather together to serve
1
their community, there is America. It was true in the first little town meet-
WORLD
170
171
Good Neighbors
19:23-25
world affairs in the days to
ings in the Massachusetts Bay Colony, when the good folk assembled to
decide measures of defense against the Indians, and how to build their first
ch the New World can and
school, and how to care for their aged and sick. It is still true.
n dark waters. It shows the
When we join together in serving our local community, we add
strength to our national community, we help to fortify the structure of
ng Board of the Pan American
our whole Union. That form of fortification-that spiritual fortification-
is not to be dismissed lightly by those in other lands who believe that
nations can live by force alone.
Human kindness has never weakened the stamina or softened the fiber
k a new international order;
of a free people. A nation does not have to be cruel in order to be tough.
by hysterical outcries, or
The vigorous expression of our American community spirit is truly impor-
out nations, capture govern-
tant.
les that they have built. We
The ancient injunction to love thy neighbor as thyself is still the force
nacy, or claim dictatorship
that animates our faith-a faith that we are determined shall live and con-
quer in a world poisoned by hatred and ravaged by war.
by hatred and terror. It has
Radio address on Mobilization for Human Needs, Oct. 13, 1940
men of good will. We have
millions. We have unified
:der.
23 / It is time that every citizen in every one of the American republics
[emisphere was not created
recognizes that the Good Neighbor policy means that harm to one republic
n mere words to maintain.
means harm to every republic. We have all of us recognized the principle
ny one of us touches us all.
of independence. It is time that we recognize also the privilege of inter-
S in the path of peace. But
dependence-one upon another.
f we are prepared to meet
Address at Monterrey during short trip to Mexico, April 20, 1943
ist us.
World directly and power-
24 / Finally, as the war progresses, we seek a national cooperation with
New. It was for this very
other nations toward the end that world aggression be ended and that fair
ble us to meet any eventual-
international relationships be established on a permanent basis. The policy
: could consult, should our
of the Good Neighbor has shown such success in the Hemisphere of the
to stand together to defend
Americas that its extension to the whole world seems to keep faith with
American nation from any
our sons and daughters who are fighting for freedom and justice and
as. At Panama [1939] we
security at home and abroad.
our hemisphere. I pray God
Message to Congress on progress of the war, Sept. 17, 1943
;hould it be necessary, I am
For the inner strength of
are prepared to act.
25 / That [Good Neighbor] policy not only has long-term implications
g Board of the Pan American
of incalculable importance; it has also enabled the American republics in
a time of serious peril and grave threat to their independence to concert
measures and take steps in unison for their common defense. I am confident
that the people of the United States have adopted this policy as a part of
I gather together to serve
their permanent political philosophy.
n the first little town meet-
Remarks to the new Argentine ambassador, Washington, D.C., Feb. 15, 1944
E300
7
R68
WHRC
t: Memorable Quotations of
Franklin D. Roosevelt
Compiled by
E. Taylor Parks
&
Lois F. Parks
Thomas Y. Crowell Company
New York / Established 1834
th. They smeared
automobile.
eir same lousy
Will Rogers.
t's what happened
nitz.
All my films have been concerned
e blacklisting of
simply with man as a social animal,
irnitz.
although in the 1950s I was a more
hopeful person from a liberal
n, when the spirit
standpoint, whereas more recently, in
than at any other
common with many other Americans, I
thing that for just
have become somewhat harder in my
rican can go to a
opinions, presenting possibly a
smiling face of a
somewhat blacker look at the world
his troubles.
today.
sevelt, on Shirley
Roger Corman, 1970.
1935.
han Roosevelt.
Richard Nixon is my President, Ronald
Reagan is my Governor, George
1, mc. 1935.
Murphy is my Senator, Sam Yorty is my
me, I'll hold by.
Mayor, and the William Morris office is
1.
my agent - and you want to know why
graffito
KAZAN.
I'm depressed.
emple when the former
Paul Mazurski, to Larry Tucker.
tion in the Sixties.
If I have to lay an egg for my country,
jail, if it were my
for what I think
To Sam Spiegel, a very brave man.
I have no further use for America. I
I'll do it.
Little does he know that there's a
don't let cops or
wouldn't go back there if Jesus Christ
Bob Hope.
thousand dollars on each of your heads.
was President.
what I think
cy is.
Harry Kurnitz,
Charlie Chaplin,
I can't understand why some Easterners
proposing a toast at a London party hosted by Sam
on being forced to leave the United States. 1953.
think it's unusual that California
mmett,
Spiegel and attended only by political exiles from
ng to jail for refusing to
Hollywood:
elected Reagan. After all, the state is
'ood hearings.
More men have been elected between
just going along with the political trend.
You've lost all your money and have
sundown and sunup than ever were
Hungarian: You
One of our major industries is motion
nothing to lose by not talking. But I
elected between sunup and sundown.
alent, too.
pictures, so the Governor is an actor. In
made 400,000 dollars last year. I've got
Will Rogers.
New York, the nation's financial centre,
ous,
to talk.
re World War II.
their Governor is a multi-millionaire
Elia Kazan,
Public opinion in this country runs like
to Lillian Hellman on their appearances before
financier. In Michigan, the home of the
udapest last night
HUAC.
a shower bath. We have no
automobile industry, their Governor is
e playwriting
temperatures between hot and cold.
a car manufacturer. In Georgia, the
es.
I think I am leaving by force.
Heywood Broun.
state that grows the bulk of our nation's
DUS,
Ring Lardner, Jr.,
papershell pecans, they elected a nut. I
World War II.
after being carried out of the HUAC Hollywood
They have suffered too much ever to be
hearings.
wouldn't be surprised if the next
means I go when
funny to me.
Governor of Florida is a grapefruit.
the lobby.
There is no lantern by which the crank
Charlie Chaplin, on black people.
Groucho Marx and Hal Kantner, 1967.
ssel,
can be distinguished from the reformer
cation, 1943.
when the night is dark. Just as every
With the increase in crime during the
The great nations have always acted
a citizen of the
conviction begins as a whim so does
past decade has come a corresponding
like gangsters, and the small nations
nmunist!Iama
every emancipator serve his
increase in crime prevention. Or
like prostitutes.
apprenticeship as a crank. A fanatic is a
perhaps it is vice versa.
ager!
Stanley Kubrick.
aplin,
great leader who is just entering the
Robert Benchley.
Nazi propaganda.
room.
Heywood Broun.
His mind is so open that the wind
nd not a Jew.
whistles through it.
Iznick.
It takes no great perspicacity to detect
Heywood Broun, on an unnamed news
of Hecht's periodic
commentator.
he Zionist cause.
and to complain of the standardization
of American life. So many foreign and
leaves the room
domestic commentators have pointed
No. No! Jimmy Stewart for governor
it starts.
this feature out in exactly the same
Reagan for his best friend.
roun.
terms that the comment has become
Jack L. Warner,
standardized and could be turned out
on hearing that former Warner contract player
Ronald Reagan was standing for governor of
em of taxation
by the thousand on little greeting cards,
California.
: slogan of 'Soak
all from the same type form: 'American
I'.
life has become too standardized.'
The people of Germany are just as
roun.
Robert Benchley.
responsible for Hitler as the people of
Chicago are for the Chicago 'Tribune'.
playing with
I never vote for anyone. I always vote
Alexander Woollcott,
Last words spoken on the air.
te.
against.
on diplomats.
W.C.Fields.
Viewed as drama, the war is somewhat
II politics is
disappointing.
I don't want to be right: I just want to
D. W. Griffith, 1918.
ice.
keep on working.
STANLEY KUBRICK.
ers.
Arthur Caesar.
We are the first nation in the history of
77
a
NO medium has contributed more than
The Hays Office warned us that we
bad girl and has to change it to a bad
the films to the maintenance of the
couldn't show the heroine as a
story about a good girl.
national morale during a-period
prostitute: We had to put a sewing
Anonymous, c. 1935.
featured by revolutions, riot and
machine in her apartment, so in that
political turmoil in other countries. It
way she was not a whore but a
In a novel a hero can lay ten girls and
has been the mission of the screen,
seamstress.
marry a virgin for a finish. In a movie,
without ignoring the serious social
Fritz Lang,
this is not allowed. The hero, as well as
problems of the day, to reflect
on shooting Man Hunt' (1940).
the heroine, has to be a virgin. The
aspiration, achievement, optimism and
villain can lay anybody he wants, have
kindly humour in its entertainment.
Yea, though I walk through the alley of
as much fun as he wants cheating and
Historians of the future will not ignore
the shadow of debt, I will fear no drivel
- for the Purity Seal is with me
stealing, getting rich and whipping the
the interesting and significant fact that
Gene Fowler.
servants. But you have to shoot him in
the movies literally laughed the big bad
the end. When he falls with a bullet in
wolf of depression out of the public.
his forehead, it is advisable that he
Will Hays.
The producer, director and writer,
clutch at the Gobelin tapestry on the
shackled like a troupe of rheumatic
library wall and bring it down over his
The inanities blessed by the Hays
Houdinis, connive, scheme and risk
head like a symbolic shroud. Also,
Office are more genuinely corrupting
mental hernia to circumvent the censor.
covered by such a tapestry, the actor
than any pornography.
Resultant scenes ofttimes are so dizzy
does not have to hold his breath while
Joseph Wood Krutch.
that they offend the discerning
he is being photographed as a dead
spectators and drive morons into the
man.
park to swing little girls.
Will Hays is my shepherd. I shall not
Herman Mankiewicz, c. 1940.
Gene Fowler.
want.
He maketh me to lie down in clean
Any film that isn't fit to be shown to my
Ben Hecht,
postures.
asked by Bernie Hyman. head of production at
youngest child, isn't fit to be shown to
Gene Fowler,
MGM. whether he could come up with 'some
anybody.
lampooning the Hays Office code.
gimmick' to keep two lovers out of bed until nearer
the end of a particular picture:
The Chicago Chief of Police, c. 1935.
We are paid to have dirty minds.
Frequently a girl has moral concepts
This industry must have towards that
John Trevelyan, 1960.
that keep her virtuous until after a trip
sacred thing, the mind of the child,
to the altar. And
there are men also
towards that clean virgin thing. the
who prefer to wait for coitus until after
unmarked slate, the same,
The Americans are nice people but
they have married the girl they adore.
responsibility, the same care about the
right now they're behaving like small
impressions made upon it, that the best
boys who've just discovered what sex is.
Replied Hyman:
John Trevelyan, 1970.
Wonderful. We'll try it!
clergyman or the most inspired teacher
of youth would have.
About censorship we feel the way
Will Hays.
They are doing things on the screen
either Mr. Moran or Mr. Mack feels
now that I wouldn't do in bed. If I
about piccolo playing. 'Even if it's
I have sometimes thought that a part of
could.
good,' drawls the drawling one, 'I won't
the value I may have had for the
Bob Hope, 1965.
like it.'
industry was the fact that, despite my
Franklin Pierce Adams.
long residence in New York, I have
They can't censor the gleam in my eye.
somehow remained an unreconstructed
Charles Laughton,
when told he was not allowed to show Edward
Middle Westerner from 'the sticks'.
Hollywood must never permit
Moulton-Barretts incestuous relationship in The
Will Hays.
Barretts of Wimpole Street' (1935).
censorship to collapse - it's far too good
for the box office.
Claude Binyon.
It is in the interest of producers to
BRITISH BOARD
OF FILM CENSORS
maintain a certain moral standard since,
if they don't do this, the immoral films
won't sell.
133. OXFORD STREET
Jean Renoir.
SECRETARY: WATKINS
I don't like it, but nor do I like the
This IS to Certify
absence of it.
Robert Rossen, on censorship.
that yield the Night
What critics call dirty in our movies,
they call lusty in foreign films.
has been Passed. for Public
Billy Wilder.
Exhibition to Adult Audiences
The cinema needs continual repression
WHarry
of controversy to stave off disaster.
Lord Tyrell, 1936.
President
The trouble with censors is they worry
if a girl has cleavage. They ought to
worry if she hasn't any.
RIGHT: MARILYN MONROE.
Marilyn Monroe.
80
.........
BOOK OF -
TOL # 80 - -
The insults, the insights, the famous lines.
Compiled by Gary Herman.
***
THE BOOK @ НЕ ВООК ОF
HOL YWOOD @ UOTES
The insults, the insights, the famous lines.
Compiled by Gary Herman.
HE @ BOOK OF
THE
H47
IIII
WH
50th Anniversary of the uso
Universal Stus
Los Angeles, C
uso contact: Kevin McCarthy
783-8121
LA: Bob O' Dell
213-207-9700
or Abigail Perelmen
Robin Cherry
Jean Stafford 213-207-9700
GIYING
our sons and daughters of Desert Storm gave a country back its
freedom; and a nation back its pride.
TS: new proposal; woman soldier; new freedoms; casualty
always special place in my heart -- at request of FDR, Prescott
served as USO's Ntional Campaign Chairman -- helped raise more
than $32 m. for USO in 1942; one of four business leaders
recruited by FDR to organize it in 1941; personally led
fundraising effort; 1990 USO Christmas Award
"heartstick, homesick and weary"
so young, so grateful
bringing touches of home -- and of the home spirit -- what's
truly American -- more than doughnuts or milkshakes or even phone
calls home
maybe nothing that speaks more -- and better -- of the American
character -- caring -- sharing (remember the USO shows, buddies
with arms around each other crying during "Silent Night" -- the
hospitals where
--reminder and comfort ; religious counsel and dancing ; most of
all -- a taste of home
--we can all be USO volunteers -- have been during Persian Gulf -
- it's always a piece of home -- a grateful home a remembering
home -- a loving home -- the best of Americans
Lee Greenwood
(for another time: civil war -- 17-year-olds -- same as in the
desert)
there for the simplest, best, most loving reason there is --
because there's a human need
always there with a smile -- like family
-hundreds of volunteers
even though is huge international undertaking now -- still
comes down to the same thing -- a smile, and a cup of coffee from
home but all it really comes down to is someone saying "we
care. We remember. We love. We're in it together. We're
Americans."
Soldier John Little -- "It's important to these guys to know
somebody
stands with them under the American flag. It let us
know that our country is behind us all the way."
to Tommy Hearns: "It just meant so much to me, words can't
describe how much you have helped me (-- may the Lord truly bless
you
because ) the Lord has blessed me through you. Sgt.
Thigpen
James Michener, BRIDGES AT TOKO-RI, "Where did we get such
men?"
support from hoemfront: letters, homebaked brownies, Girl Scout
cookies, letters, etc.
support and love from strangers --
Bangor, Maine
6,000 people; Universal Ampitheeater; taping for broadcast;
real patriotic -- honoring the troops; Cheney, Powell; 50 years
of USO (show -- do bits from all) i GB at the end, t.y.; one page
(2 minutes) ; just conclude the show; George Schlatter Productions
(Bob Wynn, producer; buzz cohen, writer; (213) 655-1400
great troops; America; Points of Light
fit into character of show -- not a speech -- will be
surroudned by troops
you don't have to wear a star to be a hero
vets of every conflict --
liberated country from old ghosts and doubts
illuminated our better selves. We liked what we saw. We want
to see more.
USO -- through the darkest times, was always a reminder -- a
call to our nation's soul -- a reminder of the values we were
founded upon the value of family, above all -- that's the
spirit that's so richly in the air during this great celebration
optimism; self confidence, decnecy, feel good about self;
emotionalism
mail -- very touching --
unleash goodness you have to do deeds
What is the Am. character -- it's family. Neighbor helping
neighbor. Friendliness, kindness, generosity, patriotic. It's
the Pledge of Allegaicne at Rotary lunches -- it's saying we're
good and decent
:
docut cene about peple cever-
Can went
FRIDAY. DECEMBER 7. 1990
The Washington Post
The USO, Troupers For the Troops
Timely Tribute to 50 Years of Service
By Phil McCombs
Washington Pust Staff Writer
The USO celebrated its 50th anniversary last night with a
gala dinner for 1,000 guests and dignitaries at the Omni
Shoreham. It was a happy evening celebrating half a century
of "caring, service and love" for American service personnel,
and yet unhappy too, in that once again salving the psycho-
logical stresses of impending war is a growth industry. USO
officials announced they will soon have three service centers
open in the Persian Gulf region, one inside Saudi Arabia it-
self, with others in Dubai and Bahrain.
BY HARRY NALTCHAYAN-THE WASHINGTON POST
Boxing champion Thomas "Hit Man" Hearns, who recently
did a handshake tour in Saudi Arabia under USO auspices
Rep. Tom Ridge, left, and boxer Thomas Hearns last night.
and pronounced it "great," was there last night. "To be
picked to go and help the morale of the troops, I got a great
deal out of it. It made me feel really good," he said. And the
troops loved him too, according to a short film on USO tours
girls. Hope, 87, has been entertaining Amer-
$3.5 million during the past five years.
shown last night. There was Hearns, doing a little pickup
ican forces abroad at Christmas since 1941
Busch came to the rescue when the USO
match with one of the soldiers, surrounded by cheering on-
with gala shows including plenty of starlets
was between wars and in managerial disar-
lookers.
and irreverent humor.
"The Saudis don't have the same idea about a good time as
ray in 1985, and kept with the task until the
we do," said Rep. John D. Dingell (D-Mich.), explaining why
"Hope can't do his normal show because of
organization was again healthy. "It's our way
comedian Steve Martin had to confine him-
Saudi restraints," said Executive Vice Presi-
of saying 'thank you' to the men and women
self to a "handshake tour" and why Bob
dent Richard Henry. Kevin McCarthy, exec-
who defend our country," he said last night.
utive producer of the USO's entertainment
Hope's act will be scaled down. Of course, he
An Outstanding Civic Achievement award
programs, said, "We don't have a cast from
added, "Those military personnel are not
Bob" yet, but that when one arrives, it will
was given to advertising executive Keith
over there for shows."
be submitted to the Defense Department for
Reinhard, who during that same period do-
Would that they were.
approval, which in turn will make sure that
nated ad and public relations services that
"It is the USO challenge to minister to the
the Saudis are not offended.
generated $25 million for the privately fund-
deep human needs resulting from the hard-
But the emphasis last night was on the
ed charity organization. And President
positive-on the more than 150 USO cen-
Bush's father, Prescott Bush, was honored
ships" American service personnel are suf-
fering in the gulf region today as they await a
ters around the world where lonely service
posthumously with a Christmas Award for
possible war, said World USO President
personnel can get "a smile and a hot cup of"
having spearheaded the stunning $32 million
coffee," on the American corporations who
fund-raising drive that launched the United
Chapman B. Cox. He added that "Bob Hope
have donated millions of dollars to provide
Service Organizations in 1941 on the eve of
is going for Christmas," and said in a private
off-duty services for the troops deployed on
America's entry into World War II.
interview that Hope will be entertaining as
well as greeting troops inside Saudi Arabia.
Operation Desert Shield, and on certain key
William Prescott Bush-the president's
figures on the American landscape who have
nephew-was on hand to accept this award,
USO officials made it clear last night that
made the USO a vital concern.
recalling his grandfather as "a tall, hand-
the details are not yet nailed down, one of
August A. Busch III, who runs the world's
some, successful man with a great sense of
the principal difficulties being the "sensitivi-
largest brewery, Anheuser-Busch, out in St.
humor and a love of life." He also recalled
ties" of the conservative Moslem culture to
Louis, received the USO's Great American
that the elder Bush was a devoted member
such standard USO show fare as dancing
award last night for contributions totaling
of a barbershop quartet from 1926 to 1962.
SCENE
DOING STAND-UP IN THE SAND,
COMEDIAN JAY LENO SCORES
A DIRECT HIT IN SAUDI ARABIA
Over Thanksgiving weekend, comedian and Tonight Show guest host
Jay Leno flew to Saudi Arabia to boost the spirits of frontline troops. He
was not the first Hollywood visitor to the desert. Comedian Steve Mar-
tin and his wife, Victoria Tennant, went there in October. But partially
in deference to the Saudis, who prohibit public entertainment, the mili-
tary did not allow the wild and crazy guy to put on shows. He only shook
hands and mingled with soldiers. Plans for Leno's shows were also
scrapped after authorities deemed that gathering audiences of soldiers
could be a security risk. But Leno had his own agenda. Helicoptered to
20 remote sites in a four-day sojourn, Leno decided to give impromp-
tu shows from tanks and trucks to crowds of 20 to 250 soldiers. As told
to reporter Michael Alexander, this is his exclusive account of a trip that
was as uplifting for him as it was for the troops.
W
hen the USO called me in August to see if I was interested,
I said sure. I can't say that my country has asked me to do a
whole lot other than tell jokes, ride motorcycles and generally act
silly.
It's a totally different culture over there. When I go to a foreign
country, I go out of my way to be friendly. So I'd go down the
street in Riyadh, the capital, and smile and say hi to women
wearing veils. They'd look away, and I realized that this was
equivalent to making a pass at them. Women aren't allowed to
vote or drive cars. They aren't allowed at the pool in the hotel,
and when you go to some restaurants with a woman-who has
to be your wife-they put a screen around your table. My wife,
Mavis, was told not to roll up her shirt sleeves and to keep her
top button buttoned. You're a guest in their country so you re-
spect the customs, but it made no sense to me. Someone I know
made the analogy to South Africa: "If it were blacks they were
treating this way instead of women, everyone would be up in
arms." It doesn't seem like much fun for the men either. They're
not off downtown gambling and going to topless bars. Some of
them did recognize me from The Tonight Show, which they see at
11:30 in the morning. They'd point at me and say, "You know
Tom Selleck?"
The desert would get up to 100°F, 110°. I was wearing fatigues
so I was pretty comfortable, but the hard part to get used to is the
great expanse of desert. We'd fly for three hours in a helicopter
and see nothing but rolling hills of white sand and an occasional
oasis, like one of those bad Casbah movies. The sand is like fine
powder and gets into everything. When I brushed my teeth, I spit
out sand. Finally, in the middle of nowhere, we'd see a group of
tanks. When a helicopter lands, the soldiers think mail is being
delivered and they all gather around.
The USO said I should just get out, shake hands and walk
around. But all the guys do is walk around all day; they don't
want to see another guy walking around. You have to give them
something. So I stood up on a tank and started to tell some jokes.
In a lot of ways it was like going back to my start in show busi-
ness, when I'd go into a bar and just stand up and start talk-
ing. This is what I envision show business was like in the 12th
56
Photographs by James M. Kenah © 1990
SCENE
Thanksgiving dinner? I can't believe you
guys are complaining." Then they'd start
laughing and throw spoons at me. I only
century. You just go from caravan to cara-
used a couple of Saddam Hussein jokes,
van, stand on something, start talking and
like, "I saw Hussein on TV, and I thought,
hope a crowd gathers. The one advantage
'Boy, Noriega's face has cleared up.'"
to this was these guys really had nothing
Mavis got most of the attention. These
else to do.
guys hadn't seen a woman out of uniform
My concern was not to be some kind of
in 90 days. I'd be struggling to crawl out
rabble-rouser, some flag-waving war
of a tank, and eight soldiers would be say-
booster, so I didn't do any Arab-bashing
ing, "Can I help you, Mrs. Leno?"
jokes or Muslim-religion jokes-that's
I'd just seen The Civil War on PBS. I was
not my job. I had some dirty jokes pre-
very moved seeing those kids who were 17
pared, but the guys didn't seem to want
years old with guns, and then I'd look out
that, which was fine with me. I did what I
at the sand from this tank in the middle of
usually do: talk about my folks, about TV
the desert and see the same kids: The
shows, Milli Vanilli, These soldiers are
uniform is different, but they're holding
kids after all, and that's what they're inter-
guns bigger than they are. It really hit me.
ested in. I'd get one of the prepackaged
There are a few soldiers who look like
meals the guys get and eat a little and say,
men-three-day stubble, big workout
"Boy, this stuff is delicious. What is this,
arms, guys who look like Sergeant Rock.
But then you have these kids, it's the same
"A lot of guys
young faces looking at you. Mavis said,
have written to say
"Twenty years ago I'd have been con-
they had a good
cerned about these guys' girlfriends. Now
time with it,' says
I'm concerned about their moms." The
the comedian, sign-
ing an autograph
weapons are more sophisticated now, but
at a desert stop.
what's worse? A bayonet at Gettysburg
with no medical attention or gassed in
Saudi Arabia with a chemical weapon?
"Mavis was the
One is as bad as the other.
star of the show,"
I didn't hear anybody talking with a sort
quips Leno of his
of gung ho, let's-kill-'em attitude. I think
wife, who happily
it's different from Vietnam. Most of the
posed with the
troops.
guys were really concerned about how the
Saudis treat women. They thought it was
genuinely unfair. Twenty years ago people
"My biggest fear
was I'd look like
would probably have said, "So what?"
Dukakis standing
Wives and girlfriends, by the way,
on the tank," says
shouldn't worry that their guys are run-
Leno, firing a one-
ning around with women over there.
liner at the soldiers.
There isn't much chance of that! Another
thing that was nice to see was men and
women of all races and walks of life hang-
ing out together.
The soldiers gave me about 200 names
of all these parents. I've been calling them
up and saying, like, "I saw Timmy." And
they go, "Where was he? How's he do-
ing?" People are so happy that you call,
you feel good about it. I don't know
what's going to happen eventually, but
while I was there, I would really look at
each person I met and try to remember his
face. I can't remember everyone, but I was
thinking, "Gee, is one of these kids going
to get killed?" It would be great fun for
me, 15 years from now, to have one of
those people come up to me in Vegas and
say, "Hey, remember me? I was the guy in
the third row in the tank battalion." I
would love to be able to remember them,
because I'd like to see them all again.
58
food fair) at Freeman,
1936
Hauptmann, kidnapper of the Lindbergh baby,
Dakota
electrocuted
eamacher, Luxembourg
1946
- Lt. General Homma, Japanese commander of the
2045 Palm Sunday
Bataan death march, executed
2021, 2083, 2094 Good
1965
SNAP-10A launched
1969
Beginning of Passover
1970
Schmeckfest (German food fair) at Freeman, South
2073, 2084 Quasimodo or
Dakota
Sunday
Maple Festivals began at St. Albans, Vermont
and Chardon, Ohio
1971
Mt. Etna, Sicily, erupted again
1972
Start of Holy Week in Greece
Lover's Market in Luxembourg
acofara
1955, 1966, 1977, 2039, 2050, 2061, 2072 Palm Sunday
Mormina, died (Feast Day)
1931, 1942, 1953, 2015, 2026, 2037, 2048 Good Friday
the Bold," of France, born
1904, 1983, 1988, 1994, 2067, 2078, 2089 Easter
chester, died (Feast Day)
1910, 1921, 1932, 2005, 2016 Quasimodo or Low Sunday
the Sung Chinese in a sea
died
April 4th
England, born
ambresis ended French claims
Ancient Roman games honoring Cybele, mother of
all the gods -
artist, fell to his death
431 BC
Peloponnesian War began
illustrating the ceiling of
186 AD
Caracalla, Roman Emperor, born
issent in Cadiz
304
Sts. Agape, Chionia, and Irene, died (Feast Day)
Mitiersman, born
397
St. Ambrose, church statesman, died (Feast Day)
first doctor to perform a
636
St. Isidore of Seville, died (Feast Day)
decemy for croup, born
896
Pope Formosus, died
author, born
1292
Pope Nicholas IV, died
King of Sweden
1305
Joan, Queen to King Philip the Fair of France,
author of Man Without a
died
born
1406
King Robert III of Scotland, died
riders left Sacramento,
1490
Mathias, King of Hungary, died
tomia, and St. Joseph, Missouri
1581
Queen Elizabeth I knighted explorer Francis
composer ("Oh, Promise Me"),
Drake
1588
King Frederick II of Denmark and Norway, died
polar explorer, died
1589
St. Benedict the Black, died (Feast Day)
riter, died
1617
John Napier, inventor of logarithms, died
Banking Corporation
1802
Dorthea Dix, educator-poet, born
opened
1841
President William Henry Harrison died after a
acion of Richmond and Petersburg,
month in office
1850
Los Angeles incorporated as a city
shot by his own gang for
1870
California legislature passed the act creating
eward
Golden Gate Park
recked off Nova Scotia
1895
Nebraska's legislature adopted the Goldenrod
died
as the state flower and the nick-
Nastmaster General, born
name "Tree-planter state"
of Time magazine, born
1896
Robert Sherwood, playwright, born
Mciana fined for accepting
1905
Kangra, India, rocked by an earthquake
rebates
1912
Isaac K. Funk, Wagnalls' publishing partner, died
suspended the Croatian
1920
Nebraska completed its first test on tractors
1924
Gil Hodges, baseball player, born
born
1932
Tony Perkins, actor, born
0
1933
Elizabeth B. Custer, wife of the general, died
1
1949
North Atlantic Treaty signed
1
1953
Turkish submarine Dumiupinar collided with the
1
Swedish Naboland in the Dardanelles
1968
Unmanned Apollo VI launched
Martin Luther King, Jr., civil rights leader,
1!
assassinated
1970
South Carolina's Tricentennial Celebration at
Charleston
19
Independence Day Celebration in Senegal, Africa
19
Start of the Jeep Safari at Moab, Utah
1909, 1971, 1982, 1993, 2004, 2066, 2077, 2088, Palm
19
Sunday
1947, 1958, 1969, 1980, 2042, 2053 Good Friday
19
1915, 1920, 1926, 1999, 2010, 2021, 2083, 2094 Easter
19
19
April 5th
Feast of St. Kazurus (Bulgaria)
Arbor Day in Korea
19
Chin Ming Festival (Chinese visit graves)
End of the British government's fiscal year
19(
2348 BC
Noah's ark grounded on Mt. Ararat
19:
823 AD
Lothair I crowned Holy Roman Emperor
195
1355
Charles IV crowned Holy Roman Emperor
1419
St. Vincent Ferrer, patron of brick and tile
manufacturers, plumbers and pavement
workers, died (Feast Day)
Apr
1494
Lightning struck Santa Maria del Fiore church
in Florence
1605
Stephen Bocskay elected Prince of Transylvania
1614
Pocahontas married colonist John Rolfe
6
1649
Elihu Yale, godfather of the University, born
4
1697
King Charles XI of Sweden, died
1726
Benjamin Harrison, signer of the Declaration
12:
of Independence, born
1753
British Museum founded (London)
1764
British Parliament passed the Sugar Act,,
1199
affecting the "triangle trade" of
slavery
1203
1768
First American Chamber of Commerce founded (New
1249
York City)
1792
First U.S. Presidential veto exercised
1327
1793
Original plans for the U.S. Capitol accepted
1822
Theodore R. Timby, inventor, born
1348
1827
James Henry Hackett became the first American
actor to appear abroad on the stage
1483
Joseph Lister, surgeon, born
1520
1829
Pope Pius VIII, crowned
1528
1837
Algernon Swinburne, poet, born
1712
1842
Shah Shuja, King of Afghanistan, assassinated
1748
1856
Booker T. Washington, educator-author, born
1773
1879
Peru and Chile declared war on each other
B. Custer, wife of the general, died
1900
Spencer Tracy, actor, born
antic Treaty signed
1901
Chester Bowles, author-statesman, born
abmarine Dumiupinar collided with the
1902
"Battling Nelson" knocked out Willie Rossler
Swedish Naboland in the Dardanelles
withl punch, the total fight
pollo VI launched
lasting 12 seconds
her King, Jr., civil rights leader,
1915
Jess Willard knocked out Jack Johnson in 26
assassinated
seconds for the heavyweight boxing
ina's Tricentennial Celebration at
title
Charleston
1930
Mahatma Gandhi began his march to the sea (India.
e Day Celebration in Senegal, Africa
1933
First successful lung removal by surgery
= Jeep Safari at Moab, Utah
performed
13, 2004, 2066, 2077, 2088, Palm
1942
British cruisers Dorsetshire and Cornwall sunk
Sunday
by Japanese planes off Ceylon
0, 2042, 2053 Good Friday
1954
Princess Martha of Sweden, wife of King Olav V
9, 2010, 2021, 2083, 2094 Easter
of Norway, died
1965
Pyrgos, Greece rocked by an earthquake
1969
Oxford-Cambrdige Boat races on the Thames,
England
Explosion of the Cart Spectale at Florence,
Kazurus (Bulgaria)
Italy
Korea
1903, 1914, 1935, 1936, 1998, 2009, 2020, 2093 Palm
:ival (Chinese visit graves)
Sunday
tish government's fiscal year
1901, 1912, 1985, 1996, 2075, 2080 Good Friday
unded on Mt. Ararat
1931, 1942, 1953, 2015, 2026, 2037, 2048 Easter
ned Holy Roman Emperor
1959, 1964, 1970, 2043, 2054, 2065 Quasimodo or Low.
med Holy Roman Emperor
Sunday
rer, patron of brick and tile
ufacturers, plumbers and pavement
kers, died (Feast Day)
April 6th
k Santa Maria del Fiore church
Florence
Annunciation Day (Russian Orthodox)
lected Prince of Transylvania
Han Sik (Cold Food Day) Korea
ed colonist John Rolfe
64
BC
Solar eclipse
ather of the University, born
46
Caesar defeated sons and allies of assassinated
of Sweden, died
Pompey at Thapsus, North Africa
1, signer of the Declaration
121
AD Marcus Aurelius, Roman Emperor, born (or 21st,
dependence, born
or 26th depending on which
unded (London)
historian)
t passed the Sugar Act,,
1199
Richard I, "the Lionhearted, King of England,
ting the "triangle trade" of
died of a cross-bow wound
y
1203
St. William of Aebelholt, died (Feast Day)
amber of Commerce founded (New
1249
St. Louis IX, King of France, taken prisoner by
ity)
the Moslems
ntial veto exercised
1327
Petrarch, Italian poet, first saw Laura, his
the U.S. Capitol accepted
inspiration
inventor, born
1348
Laura, inspiration of the poet Petrarch, died
became the first American
of plague
o appear abroad on the stage
1483
Raphael, Italian artist, born
eon, born
1520
Raphael, Italian artist, died
med
1528
Albrecht Durer, German artist, died
poet, born
1712
Slaves in New York revolted
Afghanistan, assassinated
1748
Pompeii ruins discovered
, educator-author, born
1773
First court west of the Alleghenies opened at
red war on each other
Hanna's Town, Pennsylvania
FACT-CHECK COPY
DUE 4PM THURSDAY
(Hinchliffe/Blymire)
March 27, 1991 10 a.m.
USO Draft One
PRESIDENTIAL REMARKS: 50th ANNIVERSARY OF THE USO
April 5, 1991
Universal Amphitheater Los Angeles
X XXXXX THE BRIDGES X AT X
You know, James Michéner ends his war novel
TOKO-RI by asking: "Where did we get such Well,
X X X X X XXXXX men?" XX I look + out X 1.0.K
at these thousands of faces veterans from WWII
these X X X -- + XXXX to the Persian X
Gulf -- and all I can do is echo his admiration and pride: "Where
did we get such men and women?" The answer -- from the heart of
America. You are the heart of America.
That's what the USO has known all these years. That the men
and women serving for us so far away XX are the brothers and sisters
of our hearts. From X + the Battle of the Bulge to the skies over
X
XX
+
X
of Hist
re 14.1067
Kuwait, the USO has known what homesick, weary
X X X X X warriors X have X
needed. X Something very simple. A touch of home.
The most important thing the USO has done for 50 years is to
say to our troops, on behalf of America: hey, we miss you. We're
thinking about you. We care about you. You can't be home with
X
XX
us, so we're sending a little bit of home to you. Maybe it's a
phone call to your folks. Or XX a friendly stranger just to talk
X
to. or Bob Hope in a Vietnamese X jungle. X hospital. But what we're really
giving you is a smile and a thought from your grateful XXXXX country.
The USO sums up what's best about this nation. For the USO
is made up of volunteers -- there for the simplest, most loving
reason of all -- because they see a human need and want to help.
The USO is family -- the most important word in the American
2
vocabulary -- our country's family caring about and caring for
each member. And the USO is America -- showing the world the
optimism, decency, and good-hearted generosity that fills this
land from coast to coast.
When our troops went to the Gulf, the USO went with them.
It inspired those left behind to join in its spirit -- the proud,
yellow-ribbon spirit of thinking about every single son,
daughter, brother, sister, father, mother over there. Our heroes
of Desert Storm gave a country back its freedom. Together,
Americans have given a nation back its pride.
X
Even though today's USO is immense, my father would recognize
it as the same organization President Roosevelt asked him to help
start in 1941. Because for 50 years, the USO has proven you
don't have to wear a star to be a hero. Its volunteers have
lifted the spirits and ennobled the hearts of generations of
soldiers
lonely kids abroad, and their lonely families here at home.
I thought I'd leave you with some words a homesick soldier
X
X
X
X
in the Saudi desert wrote to Tommy Hearns after he made a
celebrity USO tour a few months ago. Sergeant William Thigpen X
X
X
said: "It just meant so much to me (that you came), words can't
describe how much you have helped me
may the Lord truly bless
you because the Lord has blessed me through you. "
Taking some license with the words of Lee Greenwood, who's
made many USO tours: "There's pride in every American heart and
it's time we stand and say
God Bless the USO."
#
#
#
#
92
April
The day in history:
1882-Jesse James killed in St. Joseph, Mo.
1936-Bruno Richard Hauptmann executed in Trenton, N.J., for
kidnap-murder of Charles A. Lindbergh, Jr.
1948-U.S. Congress enacted Marshall Plan for giving billions of
dollars for European Recovery Program.
1968-North Vietnam, in oblique and tardy reply to long-standing
U.S. proposal, suggested preliminary talks to arrange peace talks.
The day's birthdays:
Writer Washington Irving 1783, New York City; actor Marlon Brando
1924, Omaha, Neb.; author Edward Everett Hale 1822, Boston;
actress Doris Day, Cincinnati, Ohio.
Quotation of the day:
"Increased means and increased leisure are the two civilizers of
man. Benjamin Disraeli, April 3, 1872
APRIL 4
Zodiac sign for the day: Aries, the ram.
Zodiac birthstone for the day: Jasper, bloodstone, aquamarine.
The day in history:
1841-William Henry Harrison died after 31 days as President;
succeeded by John Tyler.
1902-Cecil Rhodes willed $10 million for American scholarship for
graduate study in England.
1945-Hungarian holiday marks end of World War II fighting there
on this date.
1949-Treaty establishing North Atlantic Treaty Organization was
signed in Washington, D.C.
1959-Senegal Independence Day marks birth of Federation of Mali
from which Senegal later withdrew in favor of independence.
1968-Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. was murdered in Memphis,
Tenn., sparking riots in many U.S. cities.
The day's birthdays:
Photographer William Henry Jackson 1843, Keeseville, N.Y.; con-
ductor Pierre Monteux 1875, Paris; writer Dorothea Lynde Dix
1802, Hampden, Me.; dance instructor Arthur Murray 1895, New
York City.
April
April
93
Quotation of the day:
Mo.
"I claim not to have controlled events, but confess plainly that
ecuted in Trenton, N.J., for
events have controlled me." -Abraham Lincoln, April 4, 1864
Jr.
1 Plan for giving billions of
APRIL 5
tardy reply to long-standing
St. Vincent Ferrer, Spanish Dominican missionary, d. in Brittany,
1419
is to arrange peace talks.
Zodiac sign for the day: Aries, the ram.
Zodiac birthstone for the day: Jasper, bloodstone, aquamarine.
rk City; actor Marlon Brando
Everett Hale 1822, Boston;
The day in history:
1792-President Washington made his first use of power to veto an
Act of Congress.
1915-Jess Willard won world heavyweight boxing championship by
e are the two civilizers of
knocking out champion Jack Johnson in Havana, Cuba.
1963-U.S.S.R. accepted idea of "hot line" direct emergency com-
munications link with U.S.
The day's birthdays:
Scientist Sir Joseph Lister 1827, Upton, England: artist Jean Honoré
odstone, aquamarine.
Fragonard 1732, Grasse, France; actor Melvyn Douglas 1901, Macon,
Ga.; merchant Elihu Yale 1649, Boston; writer Algernon Charles
Swinburne 1837, London; conductor Herbert von Karajan 1908,
er 31 days as President;
Salzburg; statesman Chester Bowles 1901, Springfield, Mass.; South
Vietnam's President Nguyen Van Thieu 1923, Annam; actress Bette
r American scholarship for
Davis, Lowell, Mass.; Black teacher-reformer Booker T. Washington
1856, Franklin County, Va.; actor Gregory Peck 1916, La Jolla,
'orld War II fighting there
Calif.
Treaty Organization was
Quotation of the day:
"The lament for a golden age is only a lament for golden men."-
rth of Federation of Mali
Henry D. Thoreau, April 5, 1841
of independence.
as murdered in Memphis,
APRIL 6
Zodiac sign for the day: Aries, the ram.
Zodiac birthstone for the day: Jasper, bloodstone, aquamarine.
3, Keeseville, N.Y.; con-
The day in history:
er Dorothea Lynde Dix
thur Murray 1895, New
1830-Joseph Smith organized first (Mormon) Church of Latter Day
Saints, in Seneca County, N.Y.