“THIS IS THE ARMY” conclusion
After touring the English provinces, the company went to North Africa for two weeks and then sailed for Italy. This Is the Army was presented at the San Carlo Opera House in Naples in early April 1944. The group arrived in Rome by truck only six days after the Eternal City fell to the Allies. The musical was presented twice a day at the Royal Opera House in June.
Egypt was the next stop in early August, with This Is the Army being performed at the Cairo Opera House until the end of the month. September and October were spent in Iran. The company then traveled to the vast Pacific Theater, with New Guinea the first stop at the end of December 1944.
The company eventually landed at Guam in early August 1945, days before the first atomic bomb was dropped on Japan. A number of island-hopping stops followed, from Leyte in the Philippines to Okinawa, Iwo Jima, and other Pacific islands. The touring company reached Hawaii on October 10 and gave its final performance in Honolulu on October 22, 1945. Irving Berlin spoke after the last performance and expressed hope that he would never again have to compose a war song.
“This Is the Army” was made into a Technicolor movie by Warner Brothers in 1943. The film starred future President Ronald Reagan (then an Army lieutenant), George Murphy (later a senator from California), and Joan Leslie. The motion picture was produced by Hal B. Wallis and Jack L. Warner and directed by Michael Curtiz. The entire cast and crew were transported to Hollywood in February 1943 and stayed at a large tent camp near Warner Brothers Studio under military command.
Irving Berlin’s doleful cinematic performance of “Oh How I Hate to Get Up in the Morning,” recreating the role he previously played in his World War I musical “Yip! Yip! Yaphank”, is legendary. Boxer Joe Louis, Frances Langford, and Ezra Stone also appeared in the movie version, along with Kate Smith, who naturally sang “God Bless America.” Included in the cast were hundreds of soldiers released from duty until the filming was completed.
Although the movie was mainly a musical that merged entertainment and propaganda, a thin plot tells the story of Jerry Jones (George Murphy) and his son, Johnny (Ronald Reagan), during the course of two world wars. “This Is The Army” won an Academy Award in 1943 for best musical score..
Berlin was drafted into the Army in 1917 during World War I and was sent to Camp Upton in Yaphank, Long Island, where he wrote the musical “Yip! Yip! Yaphank”. The review raised $83,000 to build a service center at Camp Upton. However, the service center was never built, and Berlin never found out what became of the money.
“God Bless America,” which was originally written for this show, was thought to be a little too hymn-like for a musical, and remained unknown and unpublished in Berlin’s files. Kate Smith introduced the song during a CBS radio broadcast on Armistice Day, November 11, 1938, and recorded “God Bless America” for RCA Victor on March 21, 1939. Her original version was reissued over the years on many occasions and was also recorded by numerous other artists.
Berlin wanted “God Bless America” to be the final number of the Broadway musical. Director Ezra Stone had other ideas and used the song “This Time.” Stone eventually realized how wrong he was!
“This is the Army” was especially significant in that African American performers were included in the cast at Mr. Berlin’s insistence. “This Is the Army” thus became the only integrated unit in the military at that time, with white and African American soldiers working and living together.
“This Is the Army” eventually raised more than $10 million for the Army Emergency Relief Fund from the stage productions and movie version until performances ceased at the end of 1945.
By Sheldon Winkler
Click on images to enlarge.
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Military Humor – Sad Sack style –
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Farewell Salutes –
Thomas Arias – NYC, NY; US Merchant Marines / US Air Force
Melray R. Ballard – W. Benson, UT; US Army Air Corps, WWII, PTO, 11th Airborne Division
Stanley Bieber – Oakland, CA; USMC, WWII & Korea, radioman
Adelard Dubreuil (100) – Putnam, CT; US Army, WWII, ETO, 7th Armored Division
Teddie Massie Sr. – Lesage, WV; US Army, WWII & Korea
Michael Priano – Brooklyn, NY; OSS, WWII, CBI, ‘frogman’, Bronze Star
Desmond Scott – London, ENG; Royal Navy, WWII
Robert Styslinger – Pittsburgh, PA; US Army, Korea, 1st Lt., B/57/7th Infantry Div., Bronze Star, KIA (Chosin Reservoir)
Harold Vienot – Brighton, CO; US Army, WWII, ETO
Joe Walsh (100) – East Orange, NJ; USMC; WWII, Pearl Harbor / Korea, D.I. Sgt.
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Posted on January 2, 2020, in Home Front, WWII and tagged 1940's, Army, Broadway, History, Irving Berlin, Military, Military History, nostalgia, veterans, WW2, WWII. Bookmark the permalink. 134 Comments.
The film clip of Kate Smith singing God Bless America is a classic. Ronald Regan, relatively unknown at the time, is in the film. I have shown it to my preschoolers.
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Did they think they were dinosaurs? haha
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Haha! It was in color, so that made a difference. They were a little confused by the opening part of the song which is rarely sung. You know that Irving Berlin wrote it because he hated our National Anthem. Best to you, GP.
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Thanks for that trivia bit of info, Jennie.
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You’re welcome, GP. By the way, every so often your blog goes off my reader. I don’t know why, so if I seem to be MIA, it’s because I had to track your blog down, again. Best to you, GP
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I understand. Weird glitches happen to me as well and I’m not computer literate enough to know why. 🙂
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Ritu is the other blogger that gets dropped once in a while. I hate that, especially because my technology skills are poor. My goal next week (school vacation week) is to learn how to highlight someone’s post or blog so it appears blue, and the reader can go right to it. Lofty goal, but I will persevere. 🙂
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haha, you’re ahead of me! I didn’t even know that was possible!
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Dan is so good at doing that, but he is way too techy. 😀
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Reblogged this on quirkywritingcorner.
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Thank you.
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A wonderful conclusion and summary, gpcox. Many folks may not be aware but Uncle Ronnie did not go into combat… because his eyesight was extremely poor. But he wanted to serve so badly he got to do what he loved: narrate WWII newsreels or “star” in US military educational movies (like the importance of identifying/spotting aircraft, piloting, etc.)
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At least he tried – unlike John Wayne who constantly had excuses when his friends asked him about going.
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I’ve been passing your post along to the readers!! Jeez, I wish I had remembered that!!
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You are always so considerate, gpcox… I still vividly see your letter about Smitty being read at the base of Breakneck Ridge on Leyte… and the low, rumbling thunder from the heavens that followed.
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I can never thank you enough for doing that for me. I have the link address inside a folder that is right beside me at the desk. I see it there almost everyday and it makes e smile. I know our fathers were with us that day!!!
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Where do you get the Military Humor comics? They are cool! If it’s a secret, it’s totally okay! No pressure! xxxooo
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Let me know how he likes (or not) them.
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I will! I know he will like them. 😃
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Still love those old comics and cartoon strips..brings back fond memories! Thank you! ♡
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So do I. The new comics seem to only be rehashing the old material, but the original is best. IMO
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This was absolutely fascinating. Shows how little many of us know about a relatively recent time.
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That is very true!! If you have time one day, there is a link to the original, but restored, movie here in the post. I’ll lay odds you’ll never forget it.
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Reblogged this on depolreablesunite.
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Thanks, Rick!
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Great story. With missing money, integration and a future president it is crammed with information.
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This is what a National treasure should look like – it has everything!
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🙂
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That was amazing, GP. A terrific post to get the new decade rolling. Wishing you health, happiness, and prosperity. Happy New Year.
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Thank you very much. Yes, I felt it was too close to the holidays to jump right back into war itself.
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Love this series
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Thank you. I try to have something for everyone.
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=)
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Charlee: “Happy New Year! We are back!”
Chaplin: “And we are sending lots of purrs that you have a great year!”
Lulu: “And tail wags, too!”
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Good to see ya’all, welcome home!!
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I had heard the songs that were in the film, but until last year had I seen said film. It is one of my favorite wartime movies. I use “Oh How I Hate to Get Up in The Morning” as an alarm for my husband (current Navy) boy he hates when it comes on because it means he gotta get up. 😀 Thank you for posting this entry. Take care!
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Thanks for your comment and please shake your husband’s hand for me with a hearty Thank You attached!!
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I will do just that for you. Please have a good rest of your weekend!
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Thank you, Diana.
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Good heavens! The film is included and is free for Amazon Prime subscribers. I’m going to watch it! Love the history, and love the fact that I can enjoy the film now, in context. Thanks, GP!
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I have a link here on the post – enjoy!!
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Will have to check it out. I remember it as a kid, but that a long time ago.
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Same as me. I almost forgot about putting it in here and I really liked it.
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My first job was a film editor and projectionist at a small TV station. “This Is the Army” was a favorite as a Sunday afternoon feature.
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I can certainly understand THAT!!
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👍😊👍😊
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I honestly he (President) played a bad role on that one, but he was a great president on the flipside, he did well I guess….
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I think Pres. Reagan did better in this than his Bozo movies! lol
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Very interesting and informative post, I enjoyed it!
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Thank you, Liz. Berlin did wonders for the morale of this country!
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Those Sad Sack comics look familiar! I might have had them in my collection!
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Are you kidding me? That would be outstanding.
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I know I had a couple of Sad Sacks when I was a boy. One had a story about him feeding the Sarge a lot of baloney ‘top secret’ information to throw off a couple of Commie spies!
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I’ll bet they weren’t real commies either, were they?
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Well done for telling this story, not a single detail of which I was familiar with!! And well done, Mr Berlin, for making sure that both black and white performers were in the show, and that the whole unit was integrated.
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Whoa, I found something that you were not aware of? I am too used to you contributing!! Berlin did do a great job!!
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Epic stuff GP. Love those images.
Pardon me for sticking this in here:
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No problem – my link works for some but not others, so another one is good.
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That was a very interesting time in history. As always, thanks for posting, GP!
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Always my pleasure, Lavinia. So glad you liked it!!
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Reblogged this on John Cowgill's Literature Site.
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Thank you, John.
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You are very welcome.
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A very interring post indeed GP. I’m not sure if I have seen The film ‘This is the Army’ but it certainly rings a bell! With a cast of that nature it would certainly have to be notable!
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There’s a link where the name is mentioned if you have time one day to see it. The studio restored the original.
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Yes I saw that. Definitely one to come back to and look at. Thanks GP.
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Reblogged this on Dave Loves History.
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Thank you, Dave!
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This is the army Mr. Jones. No private rooms or telephones…
Oh how I hate to get up I the morning. Oh how I’d love to remain in bed…
I didn’t know the origin of those glee club songs from high school until now. Thanks for shedding light on a distant memory.
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Good memories, I hope! I know I used to sing Oh how I hate to get up in the morning….. when I was in school!!
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This is so interesting. I really do love musicals and I had forgotten that Ronald Reagan was once an actor. .
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Yes, he was quite accomplished and well-liked.
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Reblogged this on John's Notes and commented:
And here is the second part of the good post by GP Cox.
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Thank you, John.
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For those who want to see the film – youtube has 2 postings, take the first 2+ hour one for superior quality
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Yes, I have the link on the post.
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sorry, I didn’t see that before… but there is a better quality print, 2hrs 5 mins, which youtube post title says ‘HD Restored Full Movie’
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I thought I had linked to that one – NO?
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nope !
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I just clicked it again and it went right to the movie. I don’t understand why it won’t work for you (but then again I don’t understand computers.)
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Maybe I was unclear before…the click goes to the movie fine, but I was referring to a different YT posting of the movie, which has better quality.. sorry for the confusion
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Oh, okay. I know a friend in Germany had to use a service from Indonesia to see it – so I didn’t have a clue!! 🙂
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Interesting info and images!
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Thank you!
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Great information, GP. Thanks.
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Too bad I do see these oldies on TV anymore – everybody loves “reality shows” – yuck.
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Yuck is right.
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I don’t think anyone can sing “God Bless America” quite like Kate Smith did. Very informative posts, thanks. (— wonder what did happen to that $85,000…)
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No one ever will! She was an original. (The money? I’d first look to see what politician was around at that time – just an idea)
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I’m going to see if I can find the movie on Netflix or Hulu or Amazon or… Hmmm…
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The link is here on the post, if you wish to see it.
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This series is a great piece of history. Thank you for sharing.
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My pleasure, James. I’m glad you liked it!
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Impressive tour de force of the travelling team of This is the Army! It wasn’t just a fundraiser for the war effort, but also a significant morale booster.
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Exactly, Peter! This show did wonders for everyone!! Thank you for reading about it.
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Reblogged this on Long Island Past and Present and commented:
Continuing the great story of “This is the Army” . . .
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Thank you, Rose!
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My pleasure!
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Thanks for a great series GP. No one can sing “God Bless America” like Kate Smith. I don’t like new singers changing its tune. It sounds awful. What are they thinking?
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I don’t know what they’re thinking. They say it’s all free expression or their arrangement – but to me it is more than a song, I feel it’s akin to the anthem.
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I remember seeing this on TV as a kid! Thanks for stirring up the memory. And happy New Year!
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My pleasure, Amy. I’m glad the memory was a good one.
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A wonderful story, Pete. You do an excellent job of paying tribute to military personnel. I’m proud to know you.
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Thank you very much, Stephen. That is very nice to hear, I’m honored.
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I inadvertently referred to you as Pete. My apologies. Last mistake I’ll make this year 🤪.
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No problem, Steve, I’ve sure been called worse!!
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I was here earlier, but WordPress didn’t know it was me. This show is like “White Christmas” on steroids. This was a great little series. I had never heard about this, and I doubt I ever would have if I hadn’t been here. I’m glad to read that it won an award. It sounds like it should have won several.
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I thought it should have, but those categories probably didn’t exist back then. And what do you mean WP didn’t recognize you ? Jeez do they need major medical help or what? There’s a link on the post here to see the movie if you have the time one day.
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I typed my comment and it asked me to login. I did, but my comment was gone. I tried to like the post but got sent to the nether regions of blogville.
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Jeez!! If you don’t know what’s going on – I SURE don’t. Being computer illiterate in this day and age doesn’t cut it!
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I just go with WordPress being cranky.
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haha, I buy it!!
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I got it, GP! 😉 Thank you very much for the two very interesting sequels. Michael
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Glad you liked them, Michael! Does the link to the movie work there in Germany?
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It did, GP! I used an proxy from Indonesia. 😉
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Terrific. Gee I wish I understood computers!
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Well done to Berlin for insisting black performers featured. Thanks for this conclusion, GP. I learned a lot about something I had never heard of.
(I received your postcard today, and it will be featuring soon. 🙂 )
Best wishes, Pete.
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Yes, this show was great all-around!
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Reblogged this on e-Quips and commented:
This is the concluding part of “This is the Army”–It’s also highly worth spending the time to read it.
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Thank you for sharing this, Pat.
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It’s interesting that it took show business to kick start integration of the armed forces.
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Hollywood and Broadway were totally different venues back then than they are now!!
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Fascinating, GP. Especially the bit about the first integrated unit in the military working together. You win a PhD–Phenomenal HIstorical Dissemination of really cool WWII information.
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haha, I did? Terrific.
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Great series! Thanks.
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Glad you enjoyed it.
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Excellent post.
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Thank you.
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Thanks for this story, GP
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Thank you!
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While not a relevant comment to the post itself, I thought I would tell you the “Sad Sack” cartoons provoke a bit of nostalgia for me. I remember reading the comic books as a small child; I guess it was still close enough to WWII for them to be common.
The Berlin posts were interesting as all your posts are G.P.
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Thank you – the humor section is an important part of the post – just think how much those chuckles meant to the troops. Thanks for telling me how you feel!!
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Two of Leora’s brothers went through Camp Upton on their way to France. Enjoyed this post. I remember seeing Kate Smith on black and white TV. Yes, she sang “God Bless America.”
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Thank you for taking in the conclusion and adding to the post, Joy.
I am so enjoying your book, despite the hectic schedule around here this time of year.
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