Do you remember USO Dances?

If you do, you probably remember the GIs and sailors lining up to dance with those beauties who had come to do “their patriotic duty” by flirting with the guys who were bussed to area canteens and dance halls to attend dances hosted by local chapters of the United Services Organizations which is still very much in existence today. The closest active club is in Pensacola Naval Air Station.

Baldwin County during WWII was a hot spot of military activity, with the Naval Station at Barin Field and the Army and Army Air Corps based at Fort Morgan. In addition, many military personnel were garrisoned at the Prisoner of War camps located in Loxley and Elberta.

Along with the home front efforts such as “make and mend” clothing efforts, rationing, and raising Victory Gardens in every back yard came the additional service that local residents provided through the Red Cross and through the USO. High schools each had chapters of Red Cross volunteers who rolled bandages and most had a Defense Support Club.

The USO was so active in Baldwin County that many residents today can remember those afternoon teas, those Canteen Dances and evening dances held at the armories, the PZK Hall in Robertsdale, and the present day Gift Horse in Foley which at that time was the official USO Hall in Baldwin County. American Legion Hall Military personnel were bussed to events to boost their morale and to provide the locals a chance to show their support for the war effort.

Olympia Corte Dyas and Doris Higbee Allegri are two of those girls who still smile at their precious memories of those dances and the soldiers and sailors who attended them.

The women recently got together to reminisce about their senior year in Fairhope High School, 1942-43. Doris Higbee Allegri and Olympia Corte Dyas both lived in Fairhope, but during each summer, Olympia’s family moved to Foley where her father managed the potato shipping shed. The Corte family would rent a different house each summer, but that summer of special remembrances was the one when the family lived near enough to the USO Dance Hall to really make a difference.

Allegri lived in Fairhope year round, but would “hitch” a ride to Foley on the Army laundry truck after the delivery of laundry to the Fairhope Laundry.

She had to hide any time a vehicle passed as her presence in the official army vehicle was not approved by the United States Military. But, hey, all for the morale of the boys in uniform, right? The driver would drop her by Dyas’ house in Foley where the girls would dress for a night at the USO Dance in town.

They would wear what they dubbed “Sunday Dresses”. Nylon stockings were a rarity, so they usually wore bobby sox. They remember the events as having very few refreshments, but always hot coffee and cold lemonade. There were occasional live bands, but usually records were played on the Victrola and the dancing was lively — the Jitterbug and Lindy dances were the rage.

The soldiers and sailors were bused in from Baron Field and Fort Morgan to attend the event. And the girls considered their patriotic duty to see just how many cute boys they could dance with in one night.

Allegri particularly remembers, “We thought we were so popular because we always had at least six or seven guys walking us home to Olympia’s house. We later realized that the real reason was that Olympia’s mother was a fantastic cook and always had sandwiches and homemade cake waiting for the group after the dances.”

Do you think that was the only reason? Not so. The soldiers and sailors who attended the dances were homesick and deeply appreciated the taste of home the girls gave them. Many of the soldiers and sailors had left sweethearts, friends, and, of course, family to come to serve our nation right here in Baldwin County.

Many left here to report overseas, some never to return home, and some to return to Baldwin County to live after the war.

The public is invited to show their appreciation to those WWII Veterans and those who served on the Home Front anywhere in support efforts at a WWII Re-Enactment of a USO Dance on Sunday from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. at the PZK Hall in Robertsdale.

The afternoon agenda includes an opening ceremony at 2:30 p.m. with colors presented by the Robertsdale High School JROTC and remarks from County Commissioners and Mayor Murphy of Robertsdale. School Superintendent Faron L. Hollinger will join dignitaries in expressing appreciation to the veterans and will provide information on the Alabama law which provides for diplomas to be awarded to all WWII and Korean War Veterans who left high school before graduation for active military duty. Baldwin County schools have already presented 36 diplomas to veterans in the past four years.

Demonstrations and displays are scheduled by WWII Re-enactor organizations under the leadership of Carl Lejsak of Silverhill. A restored WWII era Jeep will be on display and authentic WWII uniforms will be worn and displayed by participants. Fort Morgan, home to active military troops during the war, will provide information from the museum at the fort, and the Red Cross of Baldwin County will share their local history.

The Baldwin County Commission Department of Archives and History under the direction of John Jackson will provide information on the county history during the WWII era as well as the upcoming Bicentennial. The county has established a Bicentennial Steering Committee which is planning and executing many events emphasizing the important historical events of Baldwin County.

Honoring the WWII era history is one of several events on tap. The veterans will be registered and photographed and will be formally introduced to the gathering at 3:45 p.m. A musical tribute to the Armed Forces will then recognize each of the branches of the military.

A special invitation is issued to all WWII Veterans to come and be photographed for the Baldwin County Archives Tribute to WWII Veterans, an album of military personnel living in Baldwin County or nearby areas who so deserve our appreciation. Veterans are asked to bring any wartime photographs that could be copied and returned immediately.

The goal of the sponsors is to have a record number of WWII Veterans in one place for a salute to their service.

WWII Re-enactors and Red Cross Volunteers dressed in period clothing will be on hand to provide demonstrations and the opening ceremonies. Bob Jennings and The Classics will be providing the Big Band music for the afternoon dance. The event is open to the public at no charge and all citizens are urged to come and to invite all WWII Veterans to attend. Local dance clubs are providing demonstration dances, and the dance floor promises to be fun for all who attend. All guests are invited to dress in 1940s style clothing, but all attire is welcome.

BALDWIN COUNTY

DURING WWII

Baldwin County history is rich with WWII era stories. Active military troops were located at Fort Morgan, Barin Field, the Grand Hotel, and at the POW camps located in the county. Each town had a reserve unit as well, some activated at different times during the conflict. Home Front volunteers were active as all joined in patriotic activities to further the war effort.

The USO was one of the most active organizations where the doors were open to military personnel at all times to provide a little taste of home away from home. Residents today remember especially the dances that were held in Foley every weekend. Soldiers were bussed in from Fort Morgan and Baron Field, as well as those garrisoned at the camps nearby.

The music for most dances was provided by records, but occasionally a live band was engaged for the entertainment, as were local singers and performers. Dances were also held at the PZK Hall in Robertsdale, the Country Club in Fairhope and in Bay Minette at various locations.

The Kahalley family was one of those who opened their homes for gatherings of active military personnel. In Bay Minette, the Kahalley family was known for having a large group of young people upstairs in their home above the business, which is today the home of Uncle Grumpy’s Furniture Store. Homemade cakes and sandwiches welcomed the visitors.

The dances were supported by high school students and by local citizens. High school girls remember the evenings as a time to show their patriotism by dancing with the guys who were far from home. Each local high school in the county was experiencing the war on campus as well as in community activities.

All schools had a Defense Club and a Health Club, both supporting the troops under the direction of the USO. Rolling bandages and writing letters were among their activities.

High school graduating classes were often almost devoid of young men, as many 17-year-old guys left high school before graduation to enroll for active duty. Each high school recognized those absent students with an “Honor Roll” of students serving. Today, all WWII and Korean War Veterans are entitled to a high school diploma from their school of attendance. Interested veterans may contact the school system Office of Communications for more information, 937-0324.

The event Saturday is sponsored by the Baldwin County Historical Society, Al Guarisco, president, and the Baldwin County Department of Archives and History; Bicentennial Steering Committee, John Jackson, County Archivist. The event has been designated as an official Bicentennial Event. For more information, email harrietoutlaw@msn.com or call (251) 370-3132.