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USO Hosts Show At Intrepid Museum As Part Of Memorial Day, Fleet Week Celebrations

NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- What better place to kick off one's Memorial Day weekend than at the United Service Organizations show held at the Intrepid Museum in New York City.

As 1010 WINS' Gary Baumgarten reported, many military veterans were out and about Saturday afternoon, including veteran David Shoener.

USO Hosts Show At Intrepid Museum As Part Of Memorial Day, Fleet Week Celebrations

Shoener served on the Intrepid's sister ship the USS Shangri-La during the Vietnam War.

"If you look up you can see the radar antenna I worked on. So it sort of brings back old memories, you know, it's sort of like walking around the ship I used to be on," he said.

Shoener said he believes now more than ever a strong U.S. Navy is necessary to keep America safe, Baumgarten reported.

Air Force veteran Ron Shea, who flew B52s, was also touring the Intrepid while the USO show dazzled its audience.

"It can be dangerous, but afterward it's the pride. You've done what you could for your country, for your family, your girlfriend, fiancée, your wife, kids. You've done what you've could. You've answered the call," he said of his experience in the military.

Shea added that on this particular weekend, he thinks of his comrades in arms who he fought with and who died.

The USO continues to put on performances, much like the one held at the Intrepid on Saturday, for U.S. troops serving around the globe.

"Any time there's really a war going on, I mean, we're here to lend support. We have some great facilities overseas that allow people -- just to name a few things -- to make calls to their loved ones while they're overseas," said performer Jamie.

Jamie was just one of a number of performers singing and dancing to patriotic songs at the Intrepid on Saturday, conjuring up images of Bob Hope and Hollywood starlets entertaining the troops overseas during World War II.

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