To honor Marc Bird's memory, I'm posting various Christmas VA hospital records ranging from 1953 to 1976.
This is the 1954 VA album - one side, total time 5:40.
Our friend and then-VA Administrator Harvey V. Higley is back on hand to wish recuperating veterans a Merry Christmas.
However, Higley invited some special surprise guests for this recording. We get to hear Jack Benny ("Now, look fella!), Barbara Stanwyck (whose track took nearly a full day to record thanks to a deep scratch), and Danny Kaye ("Peruvian pumpkin pies...") to greet the vets.
Top it off with an excerpt of Bing Crosby's "White Christmas" and the groundwork for future VA Christmas albums was laid.
Christmas 1954 Veterans Administration Hospital Program
Happy listening...
Capt
