More than 125 veterans took their partners to the inaugural “Be a Hero, Save a Hero” dinner and USO show Friday night.
In many ways, with its vocal and dance performances, the event helped veterans remember some joyous times had during the ’40s, ’50s and beyond.
Actors portraying Bob Hope and Raquel Welch participated in the event, making it feel more authentic to more than 250 people who attended.
USO (United Service Organizations) shows are most remembered for providing entertainment for troops during the World War II, the Korean War and the Vietnam War. However, the USO continues today, and is focused on serving men and women in the U.S. military.
The event included a dinner of pork steaks, potato salad, baked beans, rolls, dessert and drinks. It included a silent auction and a raffle for a quilt.
Three World War II veterans attended the event, Harry Reed, Wilbur Rowden and Charlie Smith.
Reed proudly said he landed on Omaha Beach in Normandy.
“I wasn’t the first one,” Reed said. “We sat out in the channel there, until they cleared it out.”
He said Germans had massive spikes in the beach that prevented landing craft from making it all the way in. Reed was part of the spearhead that struck into Germany.
“I was in charge of a squad. At the Battle of the Bulge, I lost about all of them,” Reed said. “It was about 20 below, and snow knee deep, and Germans everywhere.”
A purple heart recipient, Reed said he was injured in one eye, on an arm and in his legs.
“It was all through the war. Every little bit — I got wounded,” he explained. “You want to see something? Over here is a French medal.”
Reed pointed out that he received the Knight of the Legion of Honor medal from the Consulate General of France — an honor the French rarely offered.
Sponsored by the Heroes Outreach Program, the event not only entertained, it raised awareness of veteran suicides.
The program founder, John Morlock, who tried to kill himself, but survived, tries to prevent veterans from feeling alone and reaching low points in their lives. In his program, veterans may sit down with a friend or peer over a meal or a cup of coffee. It’s a simple act that may help prevent suicide.
In 2016, data showed 22 U.S. veterans died by suicide every day. The number has since climbed above 25, Morlock said.
Money raised during the event would help feed hundreds of veterans at gatherings each week, he said. And, it will be used for suicide prevention.
Morlock said the Heroes Outreach Program has helped three homeless veterans get off the street this year.
Pam Gilligan, with the Heroes Outreach Program, said it was able to help a young veteran in California recently. The young man had a service dog, but didn’t have a job because his car wasn’t working. He didn’t have money to fix the car. So, all his money went to feeding his dog.
“We bought him dog food,” Gilligan said. “A lot of it’s networking. Then, we reached out to other veterans.”
They got his car fixed and connected him with job opportunities.
“We can provide a lot of services, but we’ve got to get the word out,” Morlock said.
The program hosts weekly coffee talks, 9 a.m. Wednesdays at Disabled American Veterans, 5054 Monticello Road, Jefferson City.
Veterans also meet 9 a.m. Mondays at the Gathering Place, 318 S. Oak St., California.
Meetings are at 6 p.m. Mondays at Pioneer Cafe, 801 W. Newton St., Versailles; 6 p.m. Wednesdays at Golden Corral, 3734 Osage Beach Parkway, Osage Beach; and 6 p.m. Thursdays at Silver Dollar Restaurant, 20 Acorn Drive, Eldon.
Morning and evening meetings are also in Springfield. Check the Heroes Outreach website at www.heroes outreachprogram.org for more details.