Day 5: The USO (part 1)

Not much going on around here today; 5 days into the deployment. 8am and N. is happily playing Thrillville: Off the Rails, on the XBOX. Z. is playing a game on his daddy's computer. Me, I'm just pulling together today's post. I might take the kids to a cheap dollar movie, or play some video games myself. It's all about keeping busy. This is the first weekend, and I don't have work to distract me and make time fly. I just need one day to float into the next....

I imagine that is what it is like in Iraq for the men and women there. Wanting one day to float into the next so they can come home and see their loved ones.

To make things easier on the troops, the USO (United Services Organization), puts together shows of celebs and stars to entertain the troops, since its beginning in 1941. President Franklin Roosevelt asked six organizations --the YMCA, the YWCA, National Catholic Community Service, National Jewish Welfare Board, Traveler's Aid Association and The Salvation Army--to come together to help boost troop morale, and together they formed the USO. Congress charted it as a non profit organization, and every president since FDR has been an honory chairman.

Of all the benefactors, none has been bigger than Bob Hope. From his first radio show at California's March Field in 1941, to last show in Bahrain for Operation Desert Storm, at the age of 87, Bob Hope was the USO.

Hope wouldn't fully recognize today's shows by the USO, which is trying to update how it entertains the troops. Performances from 50 cent, Kid Rock, and various Country Music artists, have boosted moral. The USO now even gives some leeway to comedians who use more "colorful" language. But it all is for the same reason. For the troops. And the troops appriciate it.

"It really helps getting through all the stressful times in Baghdad", says one soldier.

I've found some good USO footage of stars who have made their way over there. I'll show you just a bit of what our soldiers enjoy:

From: Toby Keith

From: Kid Rock

(warning: has some of that "colorful" language I was talking about, but a good show)

WWE Superstars



And even some lesser known folks have gone over, like Kellie Pickler (country singer who appeared on American Idol), who sings with this member of the US Air Force:



The band Drowing Pool even made a music video of one of their songs based on their trip to Iraq (loud song, you may want to turn your volume down, but has great footage of Iraq):


(several of the videos above have links to other shows you can see)

But Drowing Pool makes a great point with their song. This is for the Soldiers! In my search for USO information, I came across some of stars that have refused to go to Iraq to participate in the USO shows. I'll have more on that in The USO (part 2).

But for now, I remind you to keep the soldiers in your thoughts and prayers. May God bring you all home safe!