USO Show Troupe Wows Veterans at Redmen’s Hall on Veterans Day 2019

The USO Show Troupe which began in 1941 as The Liberty Bells, performed at Redmen’s Hall on East Elm Street on Veterans Day.

After the veterans participated in the Patriotic Walk and ceremony at the World War I monument on Greenwich Ave, they were invited to a luncheon organized by Redmen’s Hall and Dave D’Andrea.

The USO Show Troupe members – there were four performers – explained that they are professional performers and their home base is the USO Metropolitan of New York.

“We travel with a Soprano 1, a Soprano 2, an Alto and a Tenor,” said Kristin Wetherington, one of the performers.

Members of the USO Show Troupe Stephanie Toups, Kristin Wetherington and Carolyn Iliff with WWII veteran George Chelwick at Redmen’s Hall. Nov 11, 2019 Photo: Leslie Yager

Wetherington said the performers travel the world and perform about 500 times a year. She said many of the performers have family members who have served in the military.

And while the event on Monday in Greenwich was for veterans, the USO Show Troupe typically performs for current servicemen and women who are missing their families, homes and country.

In fact they perform live annually for more than 150,000 service members and their families, and the performers have extensive Broadway, Off-Broadway, film and TV credits.

“I was in Korea this year with Stephanie. Luke was in Guam with a different set of girls. We typically travel with three girls and a guy,” Wetherington continued.

“The idea is to bring a taste of home to people who are serving,” she added. “We do everything from the Andrews Sisters from the 1940s to Ariana Grande. We have a very wide catalogue. We do a lot of gigs over the holidays before people deploy.”

Indeed on Monday in Greenwich they peformed a variety of songs that included the Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy and Sweet Caroline.

First Selectman Peter Tesei and American Legion Post 29 Commander Peter LeBeau at Redmen’s Hall on Veterans Day. Nov 11, 2019 Photo: Leslie Yager

Carolyn Iliff from the USO Show Troupe persuaded State Rep Steve Meskers to sing along with her at Redmen’s Hall on Veterans Day. Nov 11, 2019 Photo: Leslie Yager

Anthony Marzullo and Peter Tesei, Peter LeBeau in background. Nov 11, 2019 Photo: Leslie Yager

Anthony Marzullo and Peter Tesei, Peter LeBeau in background. Nov 11, 2019 Photo: Leslie Yager

David D'Andrea of Redmen's Hall with Anthony Marzullo on Veteran's Day. Nov 11, 2019 Photo: Leslie Yager

David D’Andrea of Redmen’s Hall with Anthony Marzullo on Veteran’s Day. Nov 11, 2019 Photo: Leslie Yager

George Chelwick who was in the Army Air Force, talks with Stephanie Toups and Kristin Wetherington from the USO Show Troupe. Nov 11, 2019 Photo: Leslie Yager

The USO Show Troupe performed at Redmen's Hall. Nov 11, 2019 Photo: Leslie Yager

The USO Show Troupe performed at Redmen’s Hall. Nov 11, 2019 Photo: Leslie Yager

See also:

99 Year Old Shares Memories of Service during Pivotal Moments of World War II