World War II Honoree
Civilian on the Home Front
Florence A. Noyes
Hometown
Portsmouth, New Hampshire
Honored By
Margaret R. Reimer
Relationship
Great Granddaughter
MY GREAT GRANDMOTHER WAS IN CHARGE OF THE USO (UNITED SERVICE ORGANIZATIONS) DANCES FOR PORTSMOUTH, NEW HAMPSHIRE FOR THE LENGTH OF THE WAR. SHE OFTEN CHAPERONED DANCES 6 OR 7 TIMES A WEEK ALL OVER SEA-COAST NEW HAMPSHIRE. DURING THE COURSE OF THE WAR SHE DONATED MORE THAN 5000 HOURS TO THE USO (UNITED SERVICE ORGANIZATIONS)-MORE THAN ANY OTHER VOLUNTEER IN THE AREA. HER USO (UNITED SERVICE ORGANIZATIONS) PIN, SHOWING A STAR FOR EVERY 1000 HOURS OF SERVICE, HAD TO BE SPECIALLY MADE FOR HER AFTER THE WAR. 'MUDDIE,' AS SHE WAS CALLED BY 'HER BOYS' WAS A FAVORITE OF THE YOUNG MEN AT THE DANCES, RECEIVING HUNDREDS OF CARDS AND LETTERS FROM THEM AFTER THEY SHIPPED OUT. SHE WAS 72 YEARS OLD AT THE BEGINNING OF THE WAR AND NEVER LET HER AGE INTERFERE WITH HER GOAL OF PROVIDING SAFE RECREATION TO SOLDIERS AND SAILORS IN NEW HAMPSHIRE.