During World War II, a letter from home was a soldier’s intimate connection to the life he’d left behind. From family, buddies, a best gal—every word, carried halfway around the globe, was precious. Even more precious were the letters mom and dad or a kid sister would receive from Willie or Joe away at war.

Bob Hope was one of World War II’s champion correspondents, receiving an estimated 38,000 letters a week in 1944. With the help of assistants, he aimed to give each a personal response.

Join us for a special evening to remember WWII correspondence of soldiers and their connection to the life they left behind with Sarah Quintana, and accompanied by Bruce “Sunpie” Barnes, who will set letters written and read during World War II to original music compositions.

The special exhibit So Ready for Laughter: The Legacy of Bob Hope—which contains a section dedicated to letters written to Hope during wartime—will be open for viewing before the performance.

About the performers:

Sarah Quintana is a New Orleans singer-songwriter performing jazz, folk, and popular music.

Bruce “Sunpie” Barnes is a New Orleans musician, writer, naturalist, park ranger, ethnographic photographer, and actor.

This event is free and open to the public, but please register to attend. For questions or to register, please contact 504-528-1944 x 484.

Program supported by the Bob & Dolores Hope Foundation, with special thanks to the World Golf Hall of Fame & Museum.