Below is a building we built at Camp Camelot during the time I was there. It was used for floor shows and night movies. Working the night shift at Newport, I did miss a lot of the shows. Here are some I saw during the day. You will notice at one of the shows, the roof wasn't on yet. Good thing it wasn't the monsoon season, although it could have made it more interesting. Anyway on with the show. |
Page 11 |
Here are a few photos I took of some USO shows at Camp Camelot |
USO Page I would like to dedicate this page in honor of all the USO Entertainers who so graciously took the time and effort, not to mention putting themselves in harms way, to go to Vietnam just to make some of our days a little more bearable. I would also like to give special thanks to Gunilla Thorn, "Nilla" from Sweden. She surfed into my site and recognized herself as one of the entertainers. After signing the guestbook and exchanging emails, I learned that she has always wondered about us, if we made it home ok, and how badly some of us were treated on our returns. *Let us not forget them.* |
Nilla April 12, 2002 |
Nilla was with a group called The Fountain Show which included herself, Sandy and Valerie, who were from England, and the band, who was from the Philippines. Below are the 16 photos I took from that show at Camp Camelot in 1968. |
Nilla taking boots off GI laying on stage floor. Nilla wearing boots signing "These Boots are Made for Walking". |
Three more of Nilla. |
Two of Valerie |
Sandy above and below |
Sandy |
Below - Another show |
Another Show. D' Mighty Mustang Show. |
Another Show |
They came to us to bring a smile In the land of Uncle Ho Their lives in danger all the while Still, they gave us quite a show They all chose to be there To bring a needed lift A song, a dance, a shoulder bare Each brought a special gift If we didn't get to see them Jungle telegrams spread the news So lonely boys could remember when Girls wore dainty high-heeled shoes And if we were in an area Where the show could still go on Two hours of down home happiness Was worth a week of Viet Cong When the news reached the grunts in the bush They'd curse and give a downtrod' look Then heave a sigh with eyes awash Their faces open, a well-read book They'd say: I would not deny their impossible dream The singing, dancing, and showtime bands; Of pretty ladies busting out at the seams But this Marine's ticket - a gun in hand For those of us out in the sticks Had to 'skip the light fandango' to survive We had to perform our own magic tricks By just wishin', and stayin' alive But: They acknowledged that the love from home Was shown in the hearts of entertainers; When they had entered a hell of their own And their smiles...of home were a reminder. They brought with them a short reprieve From rigors of the day before Then saddened soldiers watched them leave But remembered fondly what they wore Now years have passed and time has flown So if you stood upon that stage Accept our thanks...and know they've grown As sweet wine does with age! Written by members of 'Boondocker's Poetic Justice' |
Full Speed Ahead |
Some Photos Nilla Sent Me From Shows She Did In Saigon |
Nilla Thorn |
These Boots Are Made For Walkin' - Nancy Sinatra - 1966 |
Nilla |
Sandy |
( Angels From The World ) |