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On This Day - May 6, 1941 – Eighty-there years ago, Bob Hope began broadcasting his first USO radio show from March Field at Riverside, CA. Already a huge radio star, Hope was invited to entertain the troops at March Field and said to be nervous about taking his popular broadcast outside the comforts of the Hollywood studios of NBC. He was also concerned about how the show would play with the troops stationed at the base. He started out with; “And I tell you that I’m thrilled being here,” he quipped to the packed crowd in the gym and the millions listening at home that night. “And what a wonderful welcome they gave me! As soon as I got into camp, I received a 10-gun salute. … They told me on the operating table.” As we know, he was a huge hit with the troops that day. And that love affair between our military and Bob Hope continued for 50 years. From WWII, Korea, Vietnam and the Middle East where Hope - and his entourage of movie stars, singers and performers - traveled the globe and entertained the troops. And at age 80, he entertained troops during Operation Desert Shield. All in all, he headed up 57 USO tours to entertain our troops in distant lands to bring a little joy, a slice of home and brief respite from the burdens of their day. God Bless, RIP and, "Thanks for the memories"...