February 25, 2008 – 6:30 am
While on some of my travels this past week, I sat on the train next to a man wearing a USO (United Service Organizations), www.uso.org, pin. When I asked his involvement with the USO he explained that he is a retired military person and volunteers at the USO center at the Philadelphia Airport where some 70,000 military personnel make use of the center annually. I was reminded of my neighbor Doris, a former WAVE, www.womenofthewaves.com, who occasionally reminds us of the great support the USO was to her and other military people during World War II, and that it still offers this support today. She has prompted some of us to contribute to the organization.
I recall that my husband mentioned how much the USO meant to him while he was serving during World War II. He always welcomed the food they had to offer.
In my book, We Knew We Were at War: Women Remember World War II, several of the women mention their volunteer activities with the USO.
Ellie tells about a fabulous home in Hingham, Massachusetts that was purchased to serve as a USO center. Here many of the young women played the piano, sang, danced, and helped make the troops forget the reality that they soon would be heading off to war.
Jeanne remembers the many changes that occurred in the Phoenixville, Pennsylvania area when the Valley Forge General Hospital was opened in 1943. A USO was established where local citizens volunteered as hostesses, dance partners, entertainers and served as volunteers in the wards, acting as substitute family for the wounded soldiers.
Through the years, the USO has been a source of great help and support to our military.
For more information, go to www.peggeorge.com.
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