By USO Staff

Yesterday marked the opening of a new, ongoing exhibit at the Library of Congress in Washington, DC, that’s very near and dear to our hearts.  Titled “Hope for America: Performers, Politics and Pop Culture,” the exhibit features such USO memorabilia as the golf club Hope swung onstage during his 1969 world tour, and the Presidential Medal of Freedom awarded that same year by Lyndon Johnson, for service to the men and women of the armed forces.

For many, that item is the penultimate symbol of Hope’s universal appeal during his five decades of supporting the Troops.  “Some of the younger troops have asked me what the golf club is all about,” Stephen Colbert said during his own USO tour in 2009.

“Well, it is partly an homage to Bob Hope who did USOs like this for 250 years. Good man.”

Colbert, in fact, kicks off the exhibit with a humorous video message, a fitting tribute since Hope’s own 85,000-page catalog of jokes is on display for the first time.  Woven throughout are images and reminders of Hope’s unfailing patriotism and support of the military, no matter the circumstances.

“Hope for America” also focuses on Hope’s unique takes on politics and the culture of Washington:

“There are so many congressmen and senators here,” he said to an audience gathered at the Kennedy Center Honors in 1985. “I don’t know whether to tell a joke or pass a bill.”

Pause.

“As if there was a difference.”

The exhibit is on long-term display in the Library of Congress's  Thomas Jefferson Building, located on 1st Street SE between Independence Avenue and East Capitol Street. Hope (get it?) to see you there!