Remember the USO...UPDATED

[MiamiCubano]

Honestly, I've never been one to pass along much of the multitudes of things that come my way, but recently it seems I've been receiving more and more things I've wanted to share. Got an email the other day that was one of them...a bit different than the other Leatherneck/Jarhead stuff I receive.

So, here you BOTLs/SOTLs go...FWIW to you...

I was on the Bob Hope Christmas tours of Vietnam as a member of the Les Brown Band from 1967 thru 1972, and I can honestly say that, of all the gigs I've played, including presidential inaugurations, the White House, Carnegie Hall, motion pictures, television, etc. in my 49 years as a Hollywood musician, the ones which I look back on with the most pride are those tours.

We were paid very well, of course, but most of us would have gone for nothing. Being there with you guys at places like Long Binh, Danang, Chu Lai, Camp Eagle, Pleiku and all those other places which are now just an ancient memory or a bad dream to most of you, was the greatest. No other audience has ever been as wonderful to play for since then. Those of us who did those trips still talk about them when we see each other. Even though my four years in the Air Force were during the Korean War, I consider Vietnam to be "my war."

I will never forget the earth shaking cheer that would go up when Bob was introduced, or watching your faces when Ann-Margret or Raquel Welch or the Gold Diggers were on stage, or trying to play "Silent Night," our final number, with tears streaming down our faces.

God bless every one of you. And God bless all those who live on only as names on that sacred wall in Washington.

Jack Redmond

Semper Fi Brothers.

 

[tone-ny]

I've been a recipient of all the good that the USO has to give over the years and am a staunch supporter. So if you have loved ones, friends or neighbors serving in the military please find it to send whatever you can.

 

[MiamiCubano]

I've been a recipient of all the good that the USO has to give over the years and am a staunch supporter. So if you have loved ones, friends or neighbors serving in the military please find it to send whatever you can.

Agreed (I am as well) and damn good point Tony. I should have posted a link, so:

USO

 

[MiamiCubano]

Got this sent to me recently in response to the post above...

Mr. Jack Redmond of Les Brown and his "Band of Renown". Wow memories flood back. I was at the 1967 Bob Hope show in Chu Lai. Bob and Miss World, (a beautiful young lady from South America I recall), and the redoubtable Barbara McNair. Before the concert started a group of Marines, in the combat gear, straight from the bush, dirty and maybe a little tired because they were lugging their stuff, all were marched down to the front and sat on the ground in front of the stage.

The show commenced, Bob saying that we were so close to the Cong that he could smell their rice cooking, the same jokes from WWII and Korea, but now for a new age audience. We still laughed. Miss World showed some skin, but not enough as far as I was concerned. Some songs, the band played, it was fine.

Then Barbara McNair came out and started singing. In the middle of her song the grunts got up and began to move out. So Barbara stopped singing and said, "Wait a minute fellows, my act gets better." She then took her clothes off and sang in a bikini. We all cheered and the grunts sat back down. Don't know if that was staged or not, but it was great stuff. Ms McNair died not to long ago and I will never forget her.

Nor will I ever forget you Mr. Redmond or Bob Hope or any of the others who cared enough to take our minds off war for a while. Thanks for the memories.

Steve Eslin, Pvt to 1st Lt
RVN Oct 1966 to Jan 1969 (Couldn't get enough I guess)

Not McNair, but Raquel Welch with the great Mr. Hope. God Bless the USO...moments like this...utterly invalvuable...

 

[jfields]

Thanks for sharing this MC! Very nice.

 

[tsmckenney]

A lot of troops enjoyed the view from the ground that day.