Telegraph-Bulletin | Feb. 7, 1953 The most recent letter received is from a DAV [Daughters of the American Revolution] Auxiliary member in Lima, Ohio, Mrs. Evelin Jacomet, who asks if the Canteen is still in operation. She says that she and her husband stopped here in April of 1945 … Mrs. Jacomet ends her letter, “May God Bless all the workers of the Canteen, William Jeffers, Father [Patrick] McDaid, [Miss] Rae Wilson, Mrs. [Helen] Christ and others who made boys and girls of World War II happy and believe in people again.” Nebraska’s statehood centennial on March 1, 1967, was celebrated the following summer with countless local events. North Platte chose to stage a Canteen reunion over three week- ends (May 26–June 1, June 30-July 6 and July 28–Aug. 3), which drew 5,700 visitors from 45 states and 10 countries. Telegraph | May 26, 1967 By Iris Hill Flags of the United States [and] the state of Nebraska, flags of welcome and a great Centennial seal adorn the Canteen room at the Union Pacific Depot today for the re-opening and reunion of the world-famed Western Nebraska Canteen of World War II in North Platte. Francis Wells of Lincoln was the first person to register today when the doors were opened for the reunion, part of Nebraska’s Centennial celebration.
wife. A former staff sergeant in the army air forces, Eicher was en route to the Philippines when he was served similarly three years ago. He proudly showed his wife around the Canteen, then the two of them got busy and tried to express their appreciation for both the war- time and peacetime service of the Canteen. They pitched right in and helped make sandwiches for the other delayed passengers. The Blizzard of 1949 Canteen revival yielded the first instance of a happy phenomenon: Whenever Americans are reminded of what took place in North Platte during World War II, people en- thralled by “Canteen Spirit” reach out. Telegraph-Bulletin | Jan. 10, 1949 News spreading across the country of the resur- rected world-famous North Platte Canteen has brought to the North Platte Telegraph-Bulletin the following letter: “ …Undoubtedly the good ladies of your com- munity have been thanked many, many times for their kind services to members of the armed forces traveling through North Platte during the war. Our outfit, the 75th Seabees, will no doubt enjoy the doubtful distinction of having delayed the longest in expressing ap- preciation of the fine treatment we received in North Platte. “As you know, people are quick to criticize, slow to praise. The fact that six years after we
enjoyed the hospitality of your city the inci- dent is still fresh in our minds is a tribute to the wonderful reception we got. The 75th puts North Platte at the head of the list of cities which were truly friendly to the servicemen. … “Yours very truly, Edward A. Otterman, Editor, 75th Seabees, Pacific Album.” Telegraph-Bulletin | Jan. 15, 1949 “Dear Sirs: I was among the several hundred service personnel who were delayed at North Platte during the storm from Jan. 3 to Jan. 6. “I wish to thank the people of your city for the kind hospitality extended us during our stay. It really makes a guy feel swell to be treated the way we were. Sincerely, Leland R. Stanter, U.S. Navy, San Diego, Calif.” … “The deeds of you, the people of North Platte, will be a constant reminder to me and to those who shared that experience, that somewhere in this world of self-centered, egotistical people there is a place where people think not ‘how much will this advance me personally,’ but rather ‘what will this do for my fellow beings.’ … Sincerely grateful, Pfc. Edward D. Sayles, United States Air Force, Ft. Warren, [Cheyenne,] Wyoming.” This first of two postwar Canteen revivals would fade even from local memories. The 1941–46 experience never would.
134 CANTEEN: AS IT HAPPENED
Made with FlippingBook - PDF hosting