Fountain of Life Center plans USO-style production
By: Scott Morgan
FLORENCE Jack Berger never got the chance during his service days to catch a USO show. While the songs and dances went on across the globe, he was busy helping take back pieces of it from the Nazis as a sergeant in the U.S. Army.
But for Mr. Berger, 78, and other vets like him, who didn’t get to hear the Andrews Sisters or Bing Crosby sing to them from a USO stage, the Fountain of Life Center is putting on a show this weekend the "We Love America Celebration" to remind them how much the center values their contributions.
Actually, the show is for everyone, but the point, said the Rev. Randy Bercaw, a pastor at Fountain of Life and director of the event, is to pay tribute to those who have paid the supreme sacrifice for their country and for those who have been willing to do so by donning the uniform.
"Without our military, we wouldn’t have our country," the Rev. Bercaw said. "I think it’s important to honor them. We have our freedom today because of what our military has done."
To honor them, the center will present a USO-style show, complete with impersonators of some of the biggest acts of World War II. "Bob Hope’s synonymous with the USO," said Bob Newman, a member of the church who plays Bob Hope. He said his physical similarities to Mr. Hope end with "being a little overweight … kind of a big nose."
But authenticity, Mr. Newman said, is not exactly the point. The point is to pay homage to what many including many of those at the center consider the most important U.S. military era since the Revolutionary War.
"Veterans," Mr. Newman said, "are getting older and older. (We wanted) to honor those who paid such a price for our freedom."
According to the Rev. Bercaw, the talent pool for the show is comprised exclusively of church members. The Rev. Paul Graban, another pastor at Fountain of Life, said, "It is an honor to be able to produce this wonderful musical program with the very talented volunteers from our center."
The Rev. Graban added that the show is for everyone, not just church members and not just military families.
"We want this accessible to anybody," the Rev. Bercaw agreed. "We don’t want to exclude anybody." He added, "We want people to leave feeling proud to be American."
For a little over 10 years, the center has paid annual tribute to the nations serving military, its veteranss and its civil servants such as police, fire and first aid, with a patriotic show. This year’s USO show is the second such outing, according to the Rev. Bercaw.
But regardless of the format, Mr. Berger said the display always achieves its intended effect.
"It sends chills up my spine," he said. "I get goosebumps."
The "We Love America Celebration" takes place Friday, June 27 at 8 p.m. and Saturday, June 28 at 7 p.m. at the Fountain of Life Center, 2035 Columbus-Burlington Road. For ticket information, call Ward’s Christian Book Shop, 2301 Rancocas Road, Burlington, at (609) 386-2093. Tickets are free, except for a 25-cent handling fee.