In addition to honoring Bob Hope for his decades of work on behalf of U.S. military personnel around the world, the dinner was a fundraiser for the United Aerospace Workers McDonnell Douglas Corporation Veterans Memorial dedicated on Aug. 15, 1992 by the employees of McDonnell Douglas to honor the sacrifices of the men and women who served the nation in war and peace. The monument is located in the city of Long Beach at the southeast corner of Lakewood Blvd. and Carson St. Construction on the memorial began on March 18, 1992 and was made possible by contributions from United Aerospace Workers Local 148, the McDonnell Douglas Foundation, the McDonnell Douglas Employees Community Fund, the McDonnell Douglas Realty Co., UAW Region 6, Bob and Dolores Hope, International Association of Machinists Local 720, Kaiser Aluminum, Leach Corporation, DCI General Contractors, and hundreds of individual donors.
Celebrated for his long career performing in United Service Organizations (USO) shows to entertain active duty American military personnel, making 57 tours for the USO between 1941 and 1991, Hope was declared an honorary veteran of the U.S. Armed Forces in 1997 by an act of the United States Congress.