country but in various foreign countries. Its reputa- tion was built strictly upon the merit of the service offered. And the high quality of service extended, which enabled it to outrank larger institutions, was made possible by the wonderful spirit of coopera- tion shown by all connected with the Canteen. This spirit of cooperation was not confined simply to the working groups in North Platte. It extended to other surrounding communities in the state and even reached over into Colorado. Citizens of these communities took their turns at the Canteen — bringing in workers, huge dona- tions of provisions and cash. Bad weather and good weather, the work went on. Snowstorms, sleet, hail failed to stop these loyal workers. Is it any wonder, then, that the closing of the doors for the last time should tug a few heartstrings? It simply speaks the devotion on the part [of] the workers to a great, humanitarian cause. So as the North Platte Canteen passes into his- tory, it does so with a record which speaks for itself. The letters which have poured in from the service- men throughout the world are its highest praise — if any were needed — and The North Platte Daily Telegraph wishes to take this opportunity to compliment each and every worker, not only in North Platte but in surrounding communities, for a wonderful job of work. It had been The Daily Bulletin that carried the first published account of the troop train’s mistaken identity and Rae Wilson’s letter urging her fellow
The North Platte Telegraph
Telegraph Editorial | April 3, 1946 (published April 2) Goodbye Canteen
The auditing committee and some of the regular workers returned in the evening to check up and clean up. Good Neighbor awards and citations for meritorious wartime service were taken down. Disposition of them is not definitely decided, but it is planned to keep them together and hoped to display them in the Union Pacific depot waiting room. … The American flag was claimed by the American Legion post, which has furnished the flag dur- ing the Canteen operations. It will be hung, as a memorium, in the American Legion hall.
The North Platte Canteen closed its doors last night. It was not a joyous occasion. In fact there were a few tears shed as the doors swung shut for the last time — for it had become part of the life blood of a loyal group of women who had served it so faithfully through all the war years. Little did anyone dream when it was established that the Canteen would grow into such a famous organization — known not only throughout this
124 CANTEEN: AS IT HAPPENED
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