Patti Andrews Dies, Last of the Andrews Sisters-- Part 1

From the Jan. 31, 2013, Chicago Tribune by Rebecca Trounson.

"They were the swinging, sassy voice of the homefront for U.S. service personnel overseas during World War II, singing such catchy tunes as "Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy" and "Rum and Coca-Cola hat delighted Americans and catapulted the Andrews Sisters to the very top of the pop charts.

When the war ended in 1945, it was even the Andrews Sisters who announced it to 5,000 GIs during a USO concert in Italy as the men were preparing to head for duty in the Pacific.  The troops' commanding officer had interrupted the show, handing the women a note that was read aloud by the youngest, Patty Andrews.

'At first there was dead silence,' her sister Maxene told the Los Angeles Times years later. 'Then Patty repeated the message.  'This is really true,' she told them, and then started to cry.  Suddenly there was a roar.  They knew that they would be going home, and they did.'"

Patty Andrews, the group's lead singer, youngest and last-surviving member died Jan. 30th.  Maxene, the middle sister, died in 1995 and Lavern, the oldest, in 1967.

Singing for the Greatest Generation.  --GreGen