Last modified Wed., November 01, 2006 - 10:34 PM
Originally created Thursday, November 2, 2006

Mickey Rooney joins cast of USO 65th Anniversary Gala

From the NAS Jax USO

Mickey Rooney and his wife, Jan, are joining the cast of the Greater Jacksonville Area USO 65th Anniversary Gala ''Thanks for the Memories'' this Saturday at 7:30 p.m. at the Times-Union Performing Arts Center's Moran Theatre. The couple will sing the classic ''Let's Call the Whole Thing Off,'' a recording Rooney made with Judy Garland.

Rooney is celebrating more than 80 years in show business and has ties to the military through his service in 1944 where he entertained the troops during World War II. Born in 1920 in Brooklyn, N.Y. to parents who were vaudeville performers, Rooney made his debut at age 17 months.

He went on to star in more than 200 films and earned an Honorary Oscar for Lifetime Achievement, a special Juvenile Oscar in 1939, five Oscar nominations, one Emmy Award and two Golden Globes.

Many remember him for the Andy Hardy series of

films he made with another young star, Judy Garland.

Joining Rooney will be Honorary Chairman and Host Ed McMahon, the Americana music of Patriot Sounds, dance company A Social Affair, the Motown sounds of Natural Truth, the Jacksonville Jaguars Cheerleaders ''The Roar'' and the award-winning a capella group, the Metropolitans. Prior to the start of the gala, Navy Band Southeast will perform.

The ''Thanks for the Memories'' events begin earlier in the day with a motorcycle ride that begins with a 1 p.m. registration at Parking Lot D of Alltel Stadium. The ride around Jacksonville will begin at 3 p.m. and proceed to the Jacksonville Landing at 4 p.m. Arthur Crofton of WEJZ, will host a celebration there from 4 p.m. to midnight.

Tickets are available by going to www.ticketmaster.com. For more information, call 778-2821.