National USO Day Is Today

Today is 'National USO Day'. According to Wikipedia.com, the United Service Organizations Inc. (USO Show) is a nonprofit organization that provides programs, services and live entertainment to United States troops and their families. Since 1941, it has worked in partnership with the Department of Defense (DoD), relying heavily on private contributions and on funds, goods, and services from various corporate and individual donors. Although congressionally chartered, it is not a government agency. The USO operates 160 centers worldwide.

During World War II, the USO became the G.I.'s "home away from home" and began a tradition of entertaining the troops that continues today. Involvement in the USO was one of the many ways in which the nation had come together to support the war effort, with nearly 1.5 million Americans having volunteered their services in some way. After it was disbanded in 1947, it was revived in 1950 for the Korean War, after which it also provided peacetime services. During the Vietnam War, USOs were sometimes located in combat zones.

America’s 1.3 million active duty service members receive an estimated annual total of 10 million acts of connection from USO centers, services and volunteers.

When is comes to USO shows, legendary comedian Bob Hope was the king. See for yourself what this amazing man did during World War II to help boost morale of the troops. And to all of our veterans, THANK YOU for your service.- Alan