[Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: George W. Bush (2008, Book II)]
[October 1, 2008]
[Pages 1263-1265]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]
Remarks at the 2008 United Service Organizations World Gala
October 1, 2008
Thank you all. Please be seated. Thank you very much. I'm proud to
be here on this special night. The USO sure knows how to make a fellow
feel at home; after all, that's what you've been doing for six decades.
You've been making those who wear our uniform feel at home, providing
them a home away from home while they defend our Nation overseas.
Through many conflicts across many continents, the USO has formed a warm
and loving bond with the men and women who wear our uniform. And you
know what I know: They are our finest citizens, and we owe them a debt
that can never be repaid.
This job comes with plenty of privileges. I haven't seen a traffic
jam in 7\3/4\ years. [Laughter] But no perk bestowed on a President is
more satisfying than the honorary title of USO. President 41 understands that as well.
I don't know if you know this or not, but my dad and I were not the only members of my family affiliated
with the USO. It turns out my grandfather, Senator Prescott S. Bush, was
one of the very first chairmen of the USO, and his title wasn't even
honorary. [Laughter]
During this time of war, I've had the opportunity to witness the
USO's good works firsthand. I want to thank you for your commitment to
our troops and for your energy and enthusiasm and for your devotion to
our wonderful country.
I do want to thank Sloan Gibson for
leading this fantastic organization and for the kind introduction. I
thank Ned Powell, the outgoing president;
Bill Moll, chairman
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of USO world board of governors. I thank all the governors for joining
tonight and for working for this fantastic organization.
I welcome the Members of Congress--you got a little work to do.
[Laughter] I do want to congratulate my friend Senator John
Warner, who won the Spirit of USO Award--no
finer Member of the United States Senate than John Warner.
I am proud to be here with the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of
Staff, Admiral Mike Mullen, and his wife
Deborah; the Vice Chairman of the Joint
Chiefs, General Jim ``Hoss'' Cartwright; the Commandant of the Coast Guard, Admiral Thad
Allen.
I appreciate the other military leaders, members of the Armed
Forces, and their families who are here tonight. I am some kind of proud
to be your Commander in Chief.
I had the honor of having my picture taken with the USO award
recipients and their families, and I congratulate them on setting such a
fine example.
I extend my deepest sympathies and my highest respect to the wounded
warriors from Walter Reed and Bethesda who are here tonight. I welcome
the members of the diplomatic corps.
And I have taken note of the master of ceremonies--God, I miss you,
Sam. [Laughter] Well, not really. [Laughter]
The USO was established in 1941, as our allies were fighting for
their survival against powerful armies driven by toxic ideologies. As
Americans heard the approaching thunder of war, we were undertaking
every effort to be ready. Young men would soon offer their lives in
freedom's defense. And as they deployed to theaters of battle around the
world, they could count on the USO to follow.
Once we entered World War II, the newly established USO was given an
urgent mission: to coordinate civilian war efforts, enlist communities
in the fight, and give our forces all the love, care, and support we
could offer. And this was vital to our eventual victory. As General
Eisenhower put it, ``Morale is the greatest single factor in a
successful war.'' USO centers in thousands of communities were quickly
established in churches and storefronts, railroad cars and museums,
mansions and yacht clubs. These centers helped families stay in contact
with loved ones going off to fight in the war. And the USO enlisted the
biggest celebrities of the age to show their support for the troops
overseas.
Legendary stars made dangerous treks. Entertainers like Marlene
Dietrich, Fred Astaire, Diana [Dinah]* Shore, John Wayne, and many
others offered the troops their talents, brought memories of joy--
brought moments of joy and laughter and memories of home. Looking back
on these war-torn days, a former serviceman
once said, ``I'll never forget the USO's positive impact during those
dark and perilous times.'' Well, that statement holds a special meaning
to me because it was uttered by Navy pilot George H.W. Bush.
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*White House correction.
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Dad's generation was the first to find
strength and solace in the USO, but thankfully, it was not the last. The
USO has been on duty whenever America has been deployed in conflict. One
memorable moment came in the USO's notable history in 1954: Marilyn
Monroe interrupted her honeymoon with Joe DiMaggio to perform for the
troops in Korea. As she stood before a sea of soldiers, one officer
called her the greatest hit the Yankee Clipper ever made. [Laughter] One
awestruck sergeant who had the privilege of driving her around couldn't
help but note that, ``In my 14 years of Army driving, this will be the
most curves I've ever taken in one car.'' [Laughter] Marilyn Monroe
performed in subzero temperatures and became ill as a result, yet she
called her visit with the troops the best thing that ever happened to
her.
No celebrity is more closely associated with the USO than the man
who was first
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introduced to the troops as a relatively unknown radio entertainer. Over
the decades, Bob Hope became known to everyone. After a quarter century
performing for the USO, he estimated that he had traveled 2 million
miles to entertain 11 million troops. He loved every minute of it,
including the traveling partners he was able to recruit. As he put it,
``How else would I get to travel with Lana Turner, Ann-Margret, and Raquel Welch, and
have my wife wish me, `Bon voyage'?'' [Laughter]
Bob Hope's love for the troops won America's lasting respect. In
1963, President Kennedy presented him with the Congressional Gold Medal
in recognition of his service to the troops. At the ceremony, Hope told
him, ``I feel very humble, but I think I have the strength of character
to fight it.'' [Laughter] Bob Hope liked to joke about Hollywood's
reputation for self-involvement. But the truth is that he took his
responsibility to the troops very seriously. He was proud of the chance
to make them feel better, at least for a while. And he once said that
whenever the troops applauded, it was the best sound in the world.
We may never have an entertainer so closely linked to the USO, but
we can be grateful that a new generation of performers is stepping
forward to support our men and women in uniform. Some of these generous
entertainers are with us tonight. Many of you have gone to dangerous war
zones to support our troops. And your love and support has made a world
of difference. I think we all know the moment things began to turn
around in Iraq: It's when the USO decided to deploy Jessica
Simpson. [Laughter]
As Commander in Chief, I greatly appreciate all the entertainers
supporting the USO. I thank you for what you're doing, and I encourage
more to step forward and join you.
And I appreciate the thousands of USO volunteers who are supporting
the war effort and lifting morale. These volunteers are providing vital
aid to members of America's Armed Forces in service centers around the
world. They're helping our troops get in touch with their loved ones
back at home. They're easing the burdens on our military families by
offering them an open hand and a shoulder to lean on.
To all the supporters of the USO: Our Nation is grateful for your
dedication to our men and women in uniform. I join you in prayer for the
safety of our troops and the success of their missions. May the USO
continue to stand with our troops in times of war, and may we all live
to see a world that stands in peace.
Thank you for having me, and God bless.
Note: The President spoke at 7:21 p.m. at the Marriott Wardman Park
Hotel. In his remarks, he referred to Sloan D. Gibson IV, president and
chief executive officer, USO; Sam Donaldson, correspondent, ABC News, in
his capacity as master of ceremonies for the 2008 USO World Gala;
entertainers Ann-Margret Olsson, Raquel Welch, and Jessica Simpson.