USO OF GREATER JACKSONVILLE

The USO was formed in response to a request from President Franklin D. Roosevelt in 1941, who determined it would be best if private organizations handled the on-leave recreation of the rapidly growing U.S. armed forces. Roosevelt’s call to action led six civilian agencies to coordinate their civilian war efforts and resources to form a new organization—the USO (United Service Organizations). The six civilian agencies were the Salvation Army, Young Men’s Christian Association (YMCA), Young Women’s Christian Association (YWCA), National Catholic Community Services, National Travelers Aid Association and the National Jewish Welfare Board. Today, as always the USO is a private, nonprofit organization, supported entirely by private citizens and corporations.