RUSC MAILING

Written by Ned Norris

Memorial Day sits quietly between spring and summer, asking us to pause, remember, and give thanks to those who gave their lives in service. It’s different from Veterans Day—this one is for the fallen—and its customs still steady the heart: flags at half‑staff until noon, red poppies, a 3 p.m. moment of remembrance.

Radio has long helped us keep faith with that memory. So for this Memorial Day, I’ve pulled together War Time Wonders on RUSC Radio—programs that bring service and sacrifice into focus, some with solemn grace, others with the music and laughter that reminded our troops what they were fighting to preserve.

The centerpiece is a thoughtful Destination Freedom broadcast from January 14, 1951, a portrait of Dwight D. Eisenhower. What I admire most is its restraint—Jack Lester plays Ike with a quiet steadiness, and Maurice Copeland’s framing as Paul Revere gives the story a clear, steady light. It’s a reminder that in a democracy, real leadership is more judgment and service than thunder and spectacle. I’ll feature my full review on Monday the 25th.

To balance that reflective mood, cue up a few morale-boosting favorites:

- G.I. Journal: a breezy “issue” of jokes, sketches, and swing—celebrity guest editors and a grin in the brass.

- G.I. Jive: the jukebox sound of wartime America, hosted by the beloved “G.I. Jill,” spinning the records troops asked for most.

- Command Performance: Hollywood’s best answering the ranks’ requests—intimate, inventive, and pure care‑package radio.

If you can, take a few minutes at 3 p.m. for the National Moment of Remembrance, then let these broadcasts keep you company. Start with Destination Freedom for a quiet reckoning, and let the music and camaraderie of G.I. Journal, G.I. Jive, and Command Performance carry you into the evening.

Thanks for listening—and for remembering. Radio can’t repay the debt, but it can keep the stories alive.

With gratitude,

RUSC Old Time Radiowww.rusc.com

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