President Barack Obama, Vice President Joe Biden, First Lady Michelle Obama and Dr. Jill Biden, the vice president’s spouse, joined the USO in celebrating 75 years of service to America’s troops and their families during a special entertainment show here yesterday.
To celebrate the milestone, the USO and Joining Forces invited comedian and former “Daily Show” host Jon Stewart to host a Celebration of Service Comedy Show.
“Tonight is about honoring [service members] and their service, and we’re delighted to be here,” Stewart said.
Serving America’s Military Members, Families
For 75 years, the USO has served the men and women in the U.S. military and their families throughout their service; from the moment they join, through their deployments and as they transition back to their communities.
“75 years ago, Bob Hope did his very first USO show for service members at [March Air Reserve Base] in California,” said J.D. Crouch II, president and CEO of the USO. “As we turn 75, I think it’s safe to say that we’ve put together a show that would make Bob Hope very proud.”
The comedy show, kicked off by the president, recognized National Military Appreciation Month and served as a personal “thank you” to servicemen and women, and their families.
“I want to thank the USO for the outstanding work they’ve done for so many years and it means so much to not only those in uniform, but also their families,” the president said.
Obama then continued to express his gratitude and appreciation for the troops’ efforts.
Presidential Thanks
“This is a nice way for me to not just say thank you for your service, but give a particular thanks to [Joint Base Andrews], home of the 89th Airlift Wing, because Joe and I spend a little bit of time on this base,” the president said.
“You guys are the ones who take care of our planes. You keep us on time -- most of the time,” Obama joked. “You’re always the first ones to welcome us home. You mean so much to us, and I’m so glad we’re able to do something here so you guys know that we don’t take you for granted.”
The vice president spoke about how much his late son, Beau, appreciated the USO’s efforts.
“After a year in Iraq, he set foot on American soil at Pease Air National Guard Base, New Hampshire,” Biden said. “There was a long line of warriors standing there to salute his brigade as they got off, to say ‘thank you, major, thank you.’ He said it was the most meaningful thing that happened to him, getting off the plane and seeing everybody just standing there in the middle of the night to say ‘welcome home.’”
As the USO enters its 75th year, its mission is the same as it was in 1941 -- to strengthen America's service members by keeping them connected to family, home and country throughout their service.
In addition to commemorating the legacy of the USO, the show celebrated the fifth anniversary of Joining Forces and its work with the public and private sector to support service members, veterans and their families. Joining Forces works hand in hand with the public and private sectors to ensure that service members, veterans, and their families have the tools they need to succeed throughout their lives.
“Five years ago, we at the USO had the distinct honor of assisting Mrs. Obama and Dr. Biden as they launched Joining Forces, a very successful initiative aimed at supporting not just our men and women in uniform, but their families,” Crouch said. “When one member of the family serves, everyone serves.”
USO staff and volunteers dedicate their time to ensure service members and their families feel at home by providing them with vital programs, entertainment and services at more than 180 USO locations worldwide.
Legacy of Service
“President Franklin Roosevelt, who founded the USO 75 years ago, called it into existence by proclaiming this: ‘Not by machines alone will we win this war.’ He knew that troop morale would make the difference between World War II victory or the unthinkable,” Crouch said. “Throughout five wars, countless military action and 75 years, it has been the profound privilege of the USO to be the force behind the forces that 13 presidents have called upon to serve as America’s vital bridge from wherever [service members] are, back to the very things they signed up to defend: their families, their homes and our country.”
Crouch said the USO was formed out of six service organizations to focus on active duty men, women and their families.
“I pledge to you that’s what your USO will always do,” he concluded.
Special guests at the show included former “Late Show” host David Letterman, writer/director Judd Apatow, and comedians Mike Birbiglia, Kristen Schaal, Hasan Minhaj, John Mulaney and Jeff Ross.