[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 44, Number 39 (Monday, October 6, 2008)]
[Pages 1287-1289]
[Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

<R04>
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

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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 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.
    * White House correction.
    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

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in one car.'' [Laughter] Marilyn Monroe performed in sub-zero 
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 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 was 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; 
actresses Ann-Margret Olsson and Raquel Welch; and entertainer Jessica 
Simpson.