WWII USO Record to Home
The United Service Organization (USO) is a congressionally chartered non-profit organization. At the request of President Franklin D. Roosevelt, it was founded in 1941 to provide morale and recreation services to U.S. uniformed military personnel. It works in partnership with the Department of Defense (DOD), but relies on private contributions, as well as funds, goods, and services from corporate and individual donors, to support the organizations operations.
The first USO center was opened in DeRidder, Louisiana on November 28, 1941, followed by many more USO centers and clubs around the world. The centers and clubs serve as a place for soldiers to attend dances and social events, for movies and music, or simply to have a quiet place to talk or write a letter home. From its inception, the USO became the G.I.'s "home away from home" and began a tradition of entertaining America's soldiers that continues today.
The organization became particularly famous for its live performances called Camp Shows, through which the entertainment industry helped boost the morale of servicemen and women. Many famous celebrities, most notably Bob Hope, joined the ranks of USO entertainers. They entertained in military bases at home and overseas, sometimes placing their own lives in danger, by traveling or performing under hazardous conditions.
In addition to operating USO Centers and Clubs, and providing entertainment through the Camp Shows, the USO provides numerous other functions, from sending care packages to troops to providing grief services to family members of fallen military personnel.
The first USO center was opened in DeRidder, Louisiana on November 28, 1941, followed by many more USO centers and clubs around the world. The centers and clubs serve as a place for soldiers to attend dances and social events, for movies and music, or simply to have a quiet place to talk or write a letter home. From its inception, the USO became the G.I.'s "home away from home" and began a tradition of entertaining America's soldiers that continues today.
The organization became particularly famous for its live performances called Camp Shows, through which the entertainment industry helped boost the morale of servicemen and women. Many famous celebrities, most notably Bob Hope, joined the ranks of USO entertainers. They entertained in military bases at home and overseas, sometimes placing their own lives in danger, by traveling or performing under hazardous conditions.
In addition to operating USO Centers and Clubs, and providing entertainment through the Camp Shows, the USO provides numerous other functions, from sending care packages to troops to providing grief services to family members of fallen military personnel.
The item in my collection is a World War II era 78 rpm USO phonographic record. The USO had kiosks in some locations that allowed soldiers to record voice messages onto records that could then be sent home to their family or their sweetheart.