My fondest memories of the Navy back during my hitch days were at the USO in Naples, Italy. There was a storefront location in a fine old wooden building with tables and chairs inside. I would go there and hang out infrequently seeing how there was always something else to do as well.
Friendly people, things to do and say. In all, it was a nice interlude for someone like me who sought a break from some of the rigors of the military and life at sea.
Today is USO Day. It is held each February 4 — being the birthday celebration of the American nonprofit-charitable corporation known as the United Service Organizations Inc.
It provides live entertainment, care packages, and much more, the USO is the bridge connecting overseas soldiers to their friends, families, and homes.
The USO partnered with the War Department, and later with the Department of Defense (DoD), to serve everyone in military life. They certainly have been a blessing in my life.
The USO has it's beginning in the efforts of WW2 social reformer one Mary Ingraham who was requested by President Roosevelt to provide services for those in military attachments internationally because he felt they need to be cheered up.
This was the beginnin of the USO which is a conglomerate of 6 other service organizations providing entertainment and a connection to home for all of those serving in the military.
After WW2 the USO was disbanded only to find itself revived as a function of the "cold war" and become chartered in the late 1970s.
They were there when I needed a friendly face and somewhere to go far from home.
I hope they stay for all the other service people around the world as well.