“Until Every One Comes Home”

Koch VETS is honored to say, “Happy birthday USO, and thank you for always being with us no matter where we’ve been.”

From the moment they join, through their assignments and deployments, and as they transition back to their communities, the USO is always by their side.

For eight decades the United Service Organizations have supported our nation’s military and their families. On February 4th, 1941, just prior to our involvement in World War II, President Roosevelt intended to enhance the morale of and provide on-leave recreation for U.S. uniformed military personnel. So, he united several existing service associations to form the USO aimed to support U.S. troops. 

The purpose of the USO has remained the same since 1941: to serve the educational, religious, social, spiritual welfare and entertainment needs of the armed forces.

During World War II the USO became known as the G.I.’s “home away from home” and began a tradition of entertaining the troops that continues today. With the help of the entertainment industry, the USO established “Camp Shows.” Entertainers waived their pay to bring live entertainment to the troops based within the United States. In 1942, the USO took home “on the road,” providing entertainment to U.S. troops located overseas. 

Although it remains a private organization, the USO has a congressional charter and receives funding through donations, philanthropy, and corporate support.

The USO is a private non-profit organization committed to connecting our service members and their families. USO centers have come to mean many things to military personnel. They can be a place for coffee and doughnuts, a place to view a movie, write a letter, find religious counsel, to relax, or a place to meet other people. Even amidst terrorist threats and continued acts of war, they remain with us “Until Every One Comes Home.” 

The USO Motto: Wherever and whenever they go, the USO will be there. The USO Slogan: Until Every One Comes Home

In the beginning, the USO brought people together to boost troop morale while promoting America’s war effort. Today, the Organizations provide a critical bridge between the U.S. military and the American people and continues to respond to the needs of those who serve our country. With 30,000 volunteers in over 160 USO locations around the world, today’s service members, whether they’re deployed to a war zone or stationed overseas, are never far from receiving a range of USO services.

The USO strengthens America’s military service members by keeping them connected to family, home and country, throughout their service to the nation.

Today marks 80 years that the USO has been providing programs, services and entertainment to the U.S. troops and their families. Happy Birthday USO, and please accept a great BIG thanks from Koch VETS! May you continue to lift the spirits of the men and women of our military for many decades to come.

“Charlie-Mike” 

To help #ConquerTheTransition, Koch VETS provide a Transition Guide with tips and best practices for every step of your transition.