Salute to Singles Program Inaugurated

WASHINGTON, UNITED STATES

11.10.1998

Courtesy Story

Defense.gov         

Uncle Sam wants people and organizations near local military installations to help give single service members a good holiday season.

The famous Uncle Sam "I Want You" poster by artist James Montgomery Flagg has been resurrected and changed to promote the Salute to Singles program which encourages local people and organizations to invite young single service members into their homes for holiday meals and to create special events for single service members.

The program, sponsored by 17 veterans' and service member aid organizations, runs from Thanksgiving through New Year's Day.

The services have more than 590,000 single members today. "They are far from their hometown friends and families, often for the first time in their lives," said retired Army Lt. Gen. Don Jones, senior vice president of the American Red Cross and chairman of the Armed Services YMCA. "When local families and organizations demonstrate their appreciation to our young uniformed people, it reinforces their sense of pride and dedication to duty. And getting to know service men and women also helps civilian communities better understand the important role of the local military installation."

Local people or local chapters of the 17 organizations should contact installation morale, welfare and recreation directors or singles program coordinators to participate in Salute to Singles.

For more information, call [phone] or send e-mail to [e-mail].

Story by American Forces Press Service

• Date Taken: 11.10.1998
• Date Posted: 07.04.2025 00:30
• Story ID: 529416
• Location: WASHINGTON, US