VETERAN'S DAY, HOPE AND THE USO

Armistice Day! November 11, 1918 celebrated the end of WWI, (the peace treaty was signed at the eleventh hour, of the eleventh day, of the eleventh month).  After WWII, the name of the holiday was changed to Veteran's Day and its aim changed, to acknowledge all U. S. military personnel.

THE TOMB OF THE UNKNOWN SOLDIER, IN ARLINGTON NATIONAL CEMETERY.  MOST OF THE GOVERNMENT WAS SHUT-DOWN BY LAST WEEK'S SUPER STORM, HURRICANE SANDY...BUT THIS GROUP OF FEDERAL EMPLOYEES STILL WENT TO THE OFFICE.

My dad served in the United States Army.  He rose to the rank of corporal while stationed in Italy after WWII (1946-1947).  His primary duty was being in the band corps.  He toured the war-ravaged country and played the saxophone, flute or clarinet while entertaining troops or performing during military functions.

BACK IN '46, MY SOULFUL SAX-DADDY WAS SAID TO HAVE INSPIRED BOTH CLARENCE CLEMONS AND KENNETH "BLEEDING GUMS" MURPHY.

In the late 80's on the 4th of July, my parents came to visit my wife and I in South Jersey.  We capped the holiday festivities by watching a patriotic concert in Cape May.  This part of the celebration pleased my dad especially when the band members took their position on the gazebo and warmed up.  I always pictured my folks relocating to my area and him joining a similar, neighborhood band.

At the specified time, the band leader introduced his troupe and said, "This year, we decided to try something different...so we won't be playing the typical Independence Day fare."

Unfortunately for my dad, the maestro wasn't kidding.  By the third selection, the look of disappointment on my father's face was incredible.  We stayed till the end and other than the, "National Anthem," nary an old favorite of dad was played...not even a modern variation on John Philip Souza's, "STARS AND STRIPES FOREVER." 

Click on the link below to hear the best patriotic piece of music EVER !

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w4v9Da5DpYo

Years earlier, the height of my craps dealing career in Las Vegas was marked by nearly two years (1980-1982), working at the Stardust Casino. In that time, I caught at least a glimpse of several celebrities who gambled or walked through the joint.  The most noteworthy was, Bob Hope.

Hope came into our craps pit.  He was about 77 and wasn't wearing make-up.  While he chatted with our pit boss, I made the wisecrack that he looked like he was 150 years old.  Then one of my Vietnam veteran coworkers got in my grill and told me that Bob Hope was one of the greatest American patriots that ever lived...and told me why!

ON THE LEFT, LESLIE TOWNES HOPE (AKA BOB HOPE) (1903-2003) WAS AN ENGLISH-BORN, AMERICAN ACTOR, COMEDIAN WHO MADE HIS MARK ON BROADWAY, VAUDEVILLE, RADIO, MOVIES AND TV.  IN THE MOVIE, "SON OF PALEFACE" (above) HE SAYS ONE OF MY FAVORITE IN LINES AFTER ORDERING MILK IN A TOUGH SALOON.  WHEN ALL THE ORNERY HOMBRES GIVES HIM THE STINK-EYE HE ADDS, "AND PUT IT IN A DIRTY GLASS."

A short list of Hope's credits include; appearing in seventy films and shorts, hosting the academy awards fourteen times, authoring fourteen books and even being a minority owner of baseball's Cleveland Indians.  But it's universally agreed that he is most famous for his work with the USO.

THE UNITED SERVICE ORGANIZATIONS (USO) WAS SUGGESTED  BY FRANKLIN ROOSEVELT IN 1941.  THIS NONPROFIT GROUP PROVIDES PROGRAMS, SERVICES AND ENTERTAINMENT DESIGNED TO LIFT THE SPIRITS OF TROOPS AND THEIR FAMILIES. 

The USO was congressionally chartered but is not a government agency.  However, together with the defense department, the USO originated as a cooperative effort between; the SALVATION ARMY, YMCA, YWCA, NATIONAL CATHOLIC SERVICES, the NATIONAL JEWISH WELFARE BOARD and TRAVELERS AID.  The USO relies on private contributions for funds, goods and services from individuals and corporate donors.

Today, the USO still operates 160+ centers worldwide.  It originally gained prominence by developing a tradition of aiding and entertaining during WWII as a GI's, "home away from home."  Soon Hollywood got in the act and the USO expanded from free coffee, card games and ping pong tables, to the notion of live "camp shows."

The genius of the camp show was, it boosted the morale of the troops because the most popular entertainers of the day showed their patriotism and support by giving their time and skill, (sometimes in war zones or under other hazardous conditions).

Hollywood brought a sense of home to the troops.  Movie historian Steve Cohan said, "Most of all...in taking 'home' on the road, the USO equated the nation to show business.  The shows exported home to the soldiers...with a sense of patriotic identification with America through entertainment." 

LOOK magazine stated; For the little time the show lasts, the fighting men are taken straight back to Main Street. 

Actor George Raft said, "Now, it's time like they had back home."

One of the USO's promotional slogans included; The camp shows belong to the American people, for it is their contribution that made it possible.  It is an important part of life of your sons, brothers, husbands and sweethearts.

From 1941 to 1947, the USO presented more than 400,000 performances, featuring entertainers such as Bing Crosby, Judy Garland, Bette Davis, Humphrey Bogart, Lauren Bacall, Frank Sinatra, Marlene Dietrich, Hattie McDaniel, Eubie Blake, Ann Sheridan, Laurel and Hardy, The Marx Brothers, Jack Benny, Larry Adler, Ossy Renardy, Zero Mostel, James Cagney, James Stewart, Gary Cooper, Doraine and Ellis, Lena Horne, Danny Kaye, The Rockettes, Al Jolson, Fred Astaire, Curly Joe DeRita, The Andrews Sisters, Joe E. Brown, Joe E. Lewis, Ray Bolger, Lucille Ball, Glenn Miller, Martha Raye, Mickey Rooney, Betty Hutton, Dinah Shore, and most famously, Bob Hope.

BOB HOPE (above in 1944) WAS THE USO KING.  HE DID 57 USO TOURS (1942-1988).  IN 1996 HE WAS DECLARED THE FIRST (AND ONLY) HONORARY VETERAN OF THE U. S. ARMED FORCES.

My Stardust coworker's enthusiasm was its sharpest when he finished by saying, "Throughout my Bob Hope USO show, the laughter usually drowned out the (nearby) artillery explosions."

I realized my mistake.  From that moment on, I respected  Bob Hope as a hero and national treasure.

Mr. Hope out-lived my father by eight years.  He was still entertaining well into his eighties and even got to see his hundredth birthday.

I don't recall my dad ever mentioning his own connection with the USO...I just hope he did perform with them...and I forgot that he told me.

Please, today and everyday, recognize and appreciate Veterans Day!  And regardless of your politics, don't take our country's volunteers who are now, fighting, getting wounded and dying in the furthest, most remote outposts on the planet for granted.   Because those brave hearts are the only ones separating us from a draft...and violent protests in streets, to prevent everyone's sons and daughters being at risk.