Sandpoint's USO offered soldiers a home away from home
Bob Gunter
(A few days ago, I went to the Pack River Reunion at Sandpoint’s Community Hall. As I walked through the building, I thought about the history of the place and the people who had walked through its doors. During World War II, the historic building offered a touch of home for countless men and women.)
The Community Hall came into being to meet the need of local scouting programs. It was built in 1935-1936 on lots donated by the county. Local money was collected, but it ran out before the building could be completed. It took the WPA (Works Progress Administration) to complete the job. The total cost of the new hall was $8,292.
In 1942, the YMCA leased the hall from the city for $1 a year to be used as a USO club. It was not long that daily buses arrived in Sandpoint loaded with sailors from the Farragut Naval Training Station near Athol. Thousands of boys passed through the doors of the Community Hall and were welcomed by a warm and friendly face. It was a place to relax, talk to pretty girls, play games, and eat something other than Navy chow. Sandpoint has been proud of the fact that no service man/woman, or their family, were ever charged for anything at the local USO
The USO added the south wing to the building in 1944. Today, many local groups use the hall that has reverted back to the original name of Sandpoint Community Hall. The building has served the community and nation well.
I would like to take you back to the days of the USO. Who were the people inside these walls that turned a lonely, homesick day, into one of joy and warmth? They were called, “Junior Hostess,” and it were these young women that made each visitor feel welcome. These girls did not just show up to volunteer. There were certain rules and regulations that each of them had to agree to before they could be part of the program. The Code of Standards for the Junior Hostess illustrates the high goals each girl had to meet, and why they were so successful in making a service man, or woman, feel like they had touched a little bit of home.
Code of standards
1. All girls must be willing to accept the rules and regulations as outlined by national USO.
2. Hostesses are expected to be on duty for at least three hours a night, one night a week. Hostesses leaving building during an event will not be re¬admitted to that event.
3. Members should use discretion in wearing suitable clothes.
a. Skirts should cover the bend of the knee.
b. Girls should wear proper foundation garments.
c. Form fitting sweaters, sloppy Joes, slacks, culottes, and bobby socks are not to be worn in the USO building on Saturday nights.
4. Extreme jitterbugging is taboo. Remember that you are here as a hostess and a dancing partner, and not as an exhibitionist.
5. It is the duty of each Junior Hostess to:
a. Accept all invitations to dance.
b. Take time to chat with boys who do not dance.
c. Make each of our guests feel at home.
d. Help all other junior Hostesses to have a good time.
6. Women with the Armed Forces are also our guests. Make them feel at home. Treat them as you would wish to be treated in a strange com¬munity.
7. USO pins will be awarded each month for 100 hours of volunteer service.
8. As a hostess you are asked to cooperate with those in charge to make the evening a success.
How do you rate as a hostess?
I. Do you come to dances?
a. To meet a new man
b. To get a date
c. To give pleasure
d. As your part in war work
e. Because there’ is nothing else to do
2. How is your tact?
a. Are you a good listener
b. Can you make a bashful boy feel at ease
c. Do you introduce your partners to other girls
3. Can you:
a. Get out of a date gracefully
b. Avoid being escorted home without being rude
c. Be cordial and friendly without being intimate
4. Do you:
a. Chew gum while dancing
b. Ever talk to the chaperones
c. Introduce yourself to the boys
d. Ever teach a beginner to dance
(The above standards were provided by Nellie Garrison.)