USO Canteen, Show and Charity Auction: Share Memories of the 40s at UCCLM

In the 1940s “homes away from home” for WWII GIs - USO centers and canteens in churches, log cabins, castles, barns, beach clubs, yachts, railroad sleeping cars, storefronts, museums and old mansions - were a familiar and welcoming sight, as were the USO Camp Shows – think Bob Hope! – that took “home” to those at the front. 

Remember the music?  “The Boogie-Woogie Bugle Boy?”  “The White Cliffs of Dover?”  “Lili Marlene”  “When the Lights Go On Again All Over the World?”  “When Johnny Comes Marching Home again?”   A thousand others?

Remember the food – and ration coupons?  Mom’s old-fashioned comfort food, made at home?   Macaroni and cheese?  Fried chicken?  Salad from her Victory Garden?  Apple pie – if sugar and butter were to be had, that is?

On Saturday, May 18, 2013 (Armed Forces Day), the people of the United Church of Christ of La Mesa (UCCLM) are bringing those memories back at their USO Canteen and Show and Annual Auction.  WWII entertainment will be enjoyed throughout the evening.  There’ll be a silent auction AND a live auction of services and treasures old and new.  And, of course, there’ll be dinner, a USO-themed dinner featuring La Résistance Hors D’oeuvres,  Victory Garden Salad, War Bond Chicken, D-Day Potatoes, Yankee Doodle Macaroni & Cheese, USO Vegetables and All-American Apple Pie.

It all starts on the Patio at 4:30pm with hors d’oeuvres and the silent auction.  At 5:30 we’ll move into Friendship Hall for dinner, followed by the frenzied fun of the live auction, the proceeds of which are used by the church’s Mission and Outreach Board to send kids to camp and to support organizations making a difference in the greater San Diego community, among them Crisis House, FISH and Uptown Faith Community Service Center.

Cost:  $15.00 at the door

Dress:  1940s, military, patriotic suggested

UCCLM, an Open and Affirming Congregation, is at 5940 Kelton Avenue, La Mesa 91942 (619-464-1519, www.ucclm.org).

Everyone welcome!