In the USA, the “Hollywood Canteen” operated for three years during the Second World War.
There, the uniform was the ticket and soldiers often went there before “shipping out” overseas.
There was good food, dancing and entertainment.
And not with just anyone.
Above you can see a snapshot of a soldier who was just asked to dance by Linda Darnell.
His knees are literally knocking out of him.
The female stars gave (almost) everything to sweeten the soldiers their future task.
Here you can see Rita Hayworth and Marlene Dietrich serving the “boys”.
Everything in the canteen was free of charge.
And soldiers of the other allied countries were also allowed to “stop in” there.
Bette Davis had pushed the establishment of the “canteen” and was the president.
When the canteen opened its doors for the first time, over three thousand stars, actors, directors, producers, grips, dancers, musicians, singers, writers, technicians, dressers, hairdressers, agents, temps, publicists, secretaries and other craftsmen from radio and television had signed up as volunteers.
I think they made the soldiers feel valuable and that they were getting something very special.
Human sacrifices of earlier times were also – before the sacrifice – often treated particularly well.
And that’s how it was.
They got the special, the star up close – and then maybe death on the battlefield.