scheduled to arrive — about 10:45 p.m. We questioned whether to stay, as some times the boys are in bed at that time of night. We stayed, however, and were all pleased that we did. Most of the lads had been through here some two or two-and-half years ago, and all stayed up be- cause they just knew we people hadn’t forgotten them and their coming home. “Are we, the public, going to let these boys down, these boys who have helped win this war and have helped bring our own boys back to us? Don’t you think we could all work and stay with this Canteen until June or July? … “I appeal to one and all to protest this idea of closing the Canteen on April 1. … “I, at this time, on my behalf, wish to thank everyone for their help, time, donating and loyal support that they have given to the Canteen which is known in every part of the world. “Sincerely, Miss Rae Wilson, Organizer of Canteen.” Telegraph | Feb. 2, 1946 The American Legion Auxiliary voted Thursday night to substantially increase its donations to the North Platte Canteen and to double its serving. The Legion Auxiliary, which has been serving reg- ularly every month, now will serve twice a month. As an organization which has been supporting the Canteen, the Auxiliary expressed regret at the decision to close the Canteen April 1.
the devoted corps of women who had ensured Rae Wilson’s dream would endure. Now back among them once more, Rae urged her friends to stick with a June 1 closing date. But the responses from throughout western and cen- tral Nebraska must have been affirming in their reluctance to let go. Telegraph | Feb. 1, 1946 … Miss Rae Wilson, organizer of the Canteen, wrote the following letter to the Daily Telegraph, protesting the termination of the Canteen at this early date. … “ … Several times [at the start] we were in the red, but through public appeals over the radio and through the papers, we always came out on top. Then again, through appeals in papers in small communities, ‘Our Sweethearts’ came to our assistance. “You know, and we all know, how the North Platte Canteen has progressed. It has not only progressed by the board of the Canteen, but by the people of all our more than 100 communi- ties and by the tremendous help of the people of North Platte. “Credit is due in the highest to the board and the staff for their time given, but I personally don’t think it is up to them to set the closing date of the Canteen. It is up to everyone who has contributed to the Canteen. “Last Sunday evening, I happened to be working. It was late when the last train was
The regional debate, representing nothing so much as the classic “four stages of grief,” would continue the rest of the month. Sidney and its neighboring Cheyenne County towns wanted to keep going, according to an Associated Press sto- ry in the Feb. 8 Telegraph. So did Elsie in Perkins County, one of the smallest of the Canteen’s 125 Honor Roll communities. But Rose Loncar, in a Telegraph letter seeking to correct the record on her position, expressed what most came to see: It would be far better for the North Platte Canteen, of all canteens, to “go out” under its own power than to limp along until it was starved for help and funds. … I am proud to say I attended the meeting of the regular workers Jan. 29, at which there were 18 workers present. Discussions were pro and con about the clos- ing date of the Canteen, as no official date had ever been set by the Canteen Board or regular workers, who in the past 4 years have worked loyally and faithfully for the Canteen. At that time I made a motion “that we allow the public to voice their opinion and that we close gloriously. “The Canteen was started and operated volun- tarily, and it deserves to be closed gloriously and triumphantly. We feel that we have served the Telegraph | Feb. 8, 1946 DEAR EDITOR:
118 CANTEEN: AS IT HAPPENED
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