During my stay in the deserts of Saudi Arabia there wasn’t much to be excited about. Sand was everywhere and in everything. Our days were filled with training and many nights were occupied by patrolling our positions. Mail call was the most important event of each and every day and a hot meal was a close second.
In the months preceding Thanksgiving and Christmas 1990 a major topic of discussion among the Marines was if we would be home for the holidays. As time passed and it became clear we would not be leaving Saudi Arabia any time soon the disappointment proved bitter for many.
The Marine Corps and the Country did much to keep our morale high. As always the Marine Corps came through with a first rate Thanksgiving meal with “all the trimmings”. We had a number of high profile visitors which was appreciated.
And finally the USO show came to town. The stage was the back of a 6×6 with the sides dropped and parked in a small depression in the desert surrounded by tanks on the high ground. Bob Hope worked his magic backed up by a wonderful Johnny Bench. Stealing the show was Dolores Hope singing Thanks for The Memories. One of my fondest memories ever is of Dolores Hope singing this song to Bob Hope on the back of a Marine Corps 6×6 truck. The moment was magic.