volunteers who have served so faithfully and wholeheartedly. I know that there have been many occasions when this service has resulted in personal sacrifices in time, money and energy. The contributions made by servicemen’s organizations all over the country cannot be measured in dollars and cents. Morale is an intangible item which has been necessary to the success of the war effort. Your organization is to be commended on its fine record [in] the war. I am sure it will con- tinue to function, at the same high level, as long as conditions warrant this service. Sincerely, A.S. Carpender Vice Admiral, U.S. Navy, Commander For the last time, the Canteen was included in North Platte’s annual Community Chest fund drive. By mid-December, the United Way ancestor had exceeded its overall $12,425 goal by $70, ensuring it could support the Canteen until it closed. Telegraph | Oct. 10, 1945 The 1945 Community Chest drive was offi- cially opened at 8:45 a.m. today by Mayor S.P. McFarland at the kick-off breakfast which was broadcast from the North Platte Canteen … George Larkin, president of the Community Chest … pointed out that the staff of the Community Chest has raised the Canteen
allotment 50 per cent, from $300 to $600 a month. “This is probably the last time we will be privi- leged to contribute, through the Community Chest, to the Canteen,” Larkin said, “so let’s give generously.” … Mrs. Adam [Helen] Christ, general chairman of the Canteen, reiterated plans to continue the op- eration of the North Platte Canteen for 10 or 12 months from V-J Day. From 7,000 to 8,000 boys are being served daily, she said, and added that the appreciation of the entire Canteen staff goes to the Community Chest for its assistance in maintaining the Canteen. Telegraph | Oct. 10, 1945 The following letter, received today, is from the Army Service Forces, Ninth Service Command, 1960 SCU Hospital Train Unit, Presidio of San Francisco, Calif.: …
“The report of nearly every train commander who has passed through North Platte either during the day or night has contained expres- sions of the pleasure anticipated by the men as the train approached North Platte. Even though a meal may have just been served prior to arriv- ing at North Platte, the patients still look for- ward to those wonderful baskets of fruit, candy, cigarettes and the other little things that tend to make life more pleasant. These patients who have come from all parts of the world seem to have heard of the Canteen at North Platte and almost without exception seem to anticipate the moment when they will be at North Platte. The hot coffee on dark cold winter nights and the ice cream on the summer days are looked for- ward to by our attendants whose duties require that they ride trains most of the time. … “I know that I speak for every returned veteran who has passed through North Platte as a patient on our hospital trains when I say, ‘Thank you, citizens of North Platte, for a work well done.’ “Very truly yours, Kermit M. Gates, Colonel, M.C., Commanding.” “Prowler,” Daily Bulletin | Oct. 12, 1945 A lieutenant stopped at the desk at the Canteen yesterday and wanted to know what the cost of the lunch was. He was told that everything was paid for. He replied, “Yes, but this is my third visit here, and I want to help, too.”
This poem ran on Sept. 29, 1945. The North Platte Telegraph
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