Showing appreciation for military, both then and now

Their appreciation did not go unnoticed while in the service, and it certainly does not go without notice now.  

With May being National Military Appreciation Month and with one month to go until D-Day, how fitting is it to look at ways that military members were appreciated, and entertained, during World War II. 

The website, The American Soldier in World War II, details how troops were entertained, what went into organizing morale, being a home away from home, and more.  

In commemoration of the 80th anniversary of D-Day - June 6, 1944 - we will feature a story related to the largest amphibious invasion in military history. These stories will be shared on the sixth of every month leading to June 6, 2024.  

Regarding entertainment, the article states how when people like Bob Hope went on tours of military camps for the United Service Organizations, it allowed troops to laugh and take their minds away from the war for a few minutes.  

The routines had a much larger purpose than simple diversion – it served to remind service members of home, of everything that they had left behind, and of everything that they hoped to return to at the war’s end. Entertainment gave them something to fight for. 

When it came to improving morale, the Special Services Division managed the Army Exchange System, “providing first-run Hollywood movies to be shown in camp theaters, organized a rapidly growing radio network that featured popular music and informational programs, published Yank magazine, distributed tobacco and candy to soldiers under fire, organized athletics programs, and operated clubs where soldiers could purchase food, read American newspapers and magazines, play games, and dance with girls from home.” 

National Military Appreciation Month is dedicated to people who are currently serving in the United States military. It was officially recognized by Congress in 1999. Since then, nearly every state has made proclamations about the month, with the first ones being Michigan, Arizona, Montana, North Carolina, and Washington. 

In April for National Garden Month, we examined Victory Gardens on the World War II home front. Check back in June for the final installment of the lead up to D-Day stories as we prepare to commemorate the anniversary with a program at The War Memorial on Thursday, June 6.