Today is the 74th anniversary of the USO. From the Library of Congress (link),
At the suggestion of General George C. Marshall in 1940, and with the approval of President Franklin Roosevelt, representatives from existing public service organizations came together to form the USO Inc. Creating the USO were the Salvation Army, the YMCA, the YWCA, the National Jewish Welfare Board, the Travelers Aid Association of America, and the National Catholic Community Service.
During World War II, more than 1 million volunteers operated more than 3,000 recreational clubs, which were established wherever they could find room. Clubs were housed in churches, museums, barns, railroad cars, storefronts, and other unlikely locales.
Today's anniversary inspires a new feature here at SOS Aloha - Wednesday's Warriors. We'll honor warriors and their families at the 12th Annual SOS America Military Tribute during the RT Booklovers Convention, at the Hyatt Regency Dallas:
Join Kathryn Falk, Lady of Barrow, in saluting our military heroes and their families. Readers will "deploy" to a military location (themed table) hosted by authors connected to the military, including, Heather Ashby, Chanel Cleeton, Delilah Devlin, Lea Griffith, Sharon Hamilton, Elle James, Cat Johnson, Kennedy Layne, Merline Lovelace, Lindsay McKenna, Angel Payne, Julie Ann Walker, and Kimberly Rocha/Book Obsessed Chicks. Plus an Aussie Table with Megan Bamford and a Canadian Table with Julie Rowe to appreciate our Allies!
Your mission includes tasting MREs, navigating the coin challenge, and singing the services' songs, such as: "The Army Goes Rolling Along", "Wild Blue Yonder", "Anchors Aweigh", "The Halls of Montezuma", and "Semper Paratus".
This event is open to readers attending the RT Booklovers Convention. Sign up for tickets at this link. I will also have tickets available at the SOS America Promo Table in Club RT on Wednesday, May 13.
Today's anniversary inspires a new feature here at SOS Aloha - Wednesday's Warriors. We'll honor warriors and their families at the 12th Annual SOS America Military Tribute during the RT Booklovers Convention, at the Hyatt Regency Dallas:
Wake Up with the Warriors, May 14, 2015, 830 am - 945 am:
Join Kathryn Falk, Lady of Barrow, in saluting our military heroes and their families. Readers will "deploy" to a military location (themed table) hosted by authors connected to the military, including, Heather Ashby, Chanel Cleeton, Delilah Devlin, Lea Griffith, Sharon Hamilton, Elle James, Cat Johnson, Kennedy Layne, Merline Lovelace, Lindsay McKenna, Angel Payne, Julie Ann Walker, and Kimberly Rocha/Book Obsessed Chicks. Plus an Aussie Table with Megan Bamford and a Canadian Table with Julie Rowe to appreciate our Allies!
Your mission includes tasting MREs, navigating the coin challenge, and singing the services' songs, such as: "The Army Goes Rolling Along", "Wild Blue Yonder", "Anchors Aweigh", "The Halls of Montezuma", and "Semper Paratus".
This event is open to readers attending the RT Booklovers Convention. Sign up for tickets at this link. I will also have tickets available at the SOS America Promo Table in Club RT on Wednesday, May 13.
Contact Kim Lowe, sos.aloha@yahoo.com, to host a table or donate door prizes.
Meanwhile, I am giving away a book choice from my convention stash. To enter the giveaway,
1. Have you visited a USO lounge? Seen a USO show? Do you have a favorite USO performer?
I've seen Gary Sinise perform with the Lt Dan Band as part of a USO tour in Hawaii. I salute Gary for his support of military families.
I've seen Gary Sinise perform with the Lt Dan Band as part of a USO tour in Hawaii. I salute Gary for his support of military families.
2. Comments are open through Saturday, February 7, 10 pm in Baltimore.
3. I'll post the winner on Sunday, Feburary 8.
Mahalo,
Kim in Baltimore
Aloha Spirit in Charm City
Learn more about the RT Booklovers' Convention at this link.
 |
| I'll be giving away these Thunderbirds poker chips at the SOS America Promo Table |
I've never visited a USO lounge or seen a show. I've donated to the USO, but that's the only involvement I've had, although I think it would be very rewarding to volunteer at some point.
ReplyDeleteI've never visited a USO lounge or seen a show except on TV years ago. Of course the performer was Bob Hope.
ReplyDeleteI have no connection to the USO at all. Very interesting.
ReplyDeleteWayne newton
ReplyDeleteKimh
The only USO show I have ever seen was the Bob Hope show back in the 60's on TV.
ReplyDeleteI never visited a lounge but did see some shows on TV. I attended a tribute at RT in NYC. It was amazing.
ReplyDeleteNever visited a lounge. I used to watch Bob Hope entertain the troops. He was great.
ReplyDeletepatoct
Hmm - don't know why I came up as anonymous :-P Oh - I also have one of those ducks - The Marine
DeleteHaven't visited a USO lounge - I've enjoyed the 1940's movies that highlighted the USO canteens. Always enjoyed the Bob Hope USO shows that were televised.
ReplyDeleteMy brother used the USO lounge in an airport when he flew home from Croatia.
ReplyDeleteDenise
No connection with USO, but I always enjoyed the ones on TV with Bob Hope.
ReplyDeleteI've never been to a USO lounge or seen a show. I used to watch the televised shows. I salute the entertainers to take the time to visit and entertain our troops.
ReplyDeletehaven't been to one
ReplyDeleteI thought maybe my husband had been to one but he said he was too far down in the delta and the shows were at the big bases.
ReplyDeleteNo I have never been to one.
ReplyDeleteI didn't know there were USO performers. I live under a rock apparently. ☺️
ReplyDeleteI am so glad RT will have a military event!! They deserve it!!
I have not been to a USO event. Thanks for the info about the USO. That is really cool that you got to see the Lt. Dan Brown band!
ReplyDelete