The USO Celebrating 85 Years ofEntertaining the Troops

By Paula Green

"I encourage those that are in the arts to take a moment to understand the 

military community and visit them. And you can't do it any better than with the USO." 

– David Boreanaz

The USO, or United Service Organizations, helps support the well-being of active-duty U.S. military members and their families. For 85 years, it has brought entertainment to the troops through performances by celebrities.

One of the best-known USO entertainers was Bob Hope, a comedian, actor, singer, dancer, and humanitarian. He was known as “the one-man morale machine.” For almost 50 years, from World War II through the Gulf War, Hope devoted his time to entertaining the troops. He traveled around the world, visiting remote outposts in Alaska, battle zones in Beirut, and ships at sea to perform USO shows. Because of his dedication, people often associate Bob Hope with the USO.

There were countless other celebrities who entertained the troops over the years. A few included Bing Crosby, Frank Sinatra, Humphrey Bogart, Judy Garland, the Andrews Sisters, Sammy Davis Jr., Marilyn Monroe, and Ann-Margret.

The USO officially began on February 4, 1941. It was created before the United States entered World War II at the request of President Franklin D. Roosevelt, who sought an organization to provide recreational, social, and morale-boosting support to U.S. military personnel. 

Since it began, the USO has grown significantly. Today, it operates more than 260 locations worldwide, including major airports in the U.S. and bases in Europe, the Middle East, and the Indo-Pacific.

Besides entertainment, the USO offers other programs for the military. At major airports around the world, they run “airport lounges” where service members can get “a touch of home.” There, they can relax during layovers, enjoy free snacks, nap, do laundry, or use Wi-Fi.

Traveling remotely is also part of USO programming. Their Mobile USOs are large, climate-controlled centers that travel to remote military bases, training exercises, and natural disaster zones, equipped with Wi-Fi, gaming consoles, and TVs.

Supporting families and building community are key parts of the USO’s work. For example, the Bob Hope Legacy Reading Program lets deployed service members record themselves reading books to their children and send the recordings home. The USO also hosts baby showers for expectant military parents and networking events to help people connect. These programs show that the USO’s support goes beyond just entertainment.

The USO offers programs and workshops to help service members and military spouses successfully navigate civilian life, focusing on employment, education, and financial readiness. They partner with Hire Heroes USA to provide resume help and job placement support. The organization helps wounded and fallen soldiers by attending dignified transfers at Dover Air Force Base. Through these efforts, the USO continues its support in a new phase of service.

Northern Connection magazine salutes the USO for its countless hours of entertainment and its unwavering support of the military.

Sources: www.uso.org/