telephone her this morning if they can assist with the Canteen work today. Otto Thoelecke was quick to demonstrate yesterday that his heart is in the right place. After hearing Miss Rae Wilson explain the plans for the establishment of a canteen here in a talk before the Rotary club, Otto quickly gave her $5 to assist in the work. Daily Bulletin | Dec. 27, 1941 “We’re just about broke again,” Miss Rae Wilson said last night as the completely tired-out but happy group of workers operating the Canteen for service men passing thru North Platte stacked their empty baskets and called it a day. “More donations are needed at once,” Miss Wilson said. “Our sup- plies now are gone, and we need more funds to carry on this work. Any doubting-Thomas who wonders whether this Canteen is worth while should come to the station when a troop train is in. If you could only see the expression on those boys’ faces, all doubt would disappear.” Yesterday, Miss Wilson estimated 1,100 soldiers, sailors and marines
Daily Bulletin | Dec. 30, 1941 Generous Response Helps
Canteen Cheer Soldiers R esidents of North Platte are responding gener- ously to the call for funds and other donations for the soldier’s Canteen established at the U.P. station. Everything that would be of interest to men traveling is acceptable, Miss Rae Wilson, chairman, said yesterday. Since the call for reading materials went out hundreds of magazines and newspapers have been given to the cause. Several hundred soldiers have been given or- anges, apples, candy, magazines and numerous other articles during the few days since the Christmas opening. There will, of course, be certain expense as long as the Canteen is continued and donations are urgently needed to carry on. Any who may think the program is not entirely worth while are urged to go to the station and watch the expressions on the soldiers’ faces when the committee shows up with loaded baskets. … In many business houses cans or jars have been placed to receive small donations. They will be placed in other establishments this week. … Every recipient of a gift from the girls has shown sincere appreciation. However, verbal ap- preciation was not enough for the commanding of- ficer of one of the troop trains going through here
Christmas Day. Major Russell C. Rehkop wrote the Canteen committee the next day as follows: “Dear Ladies:
“On behalf of each man of this organization, we wish to take this opportunity to thank you for the very fine reception that you gave us when we pulled into your station last night on our way west. It was the first such reception that we had gotten on our long trip and was sincerely appreciated. “All of the men enjoyed ever so much the can- dies and fruit that you brought for them. As I walk up and down the train today, I can see the men still chewing away on the boxes of hard candy. It certainly did a lot to add to Christmas for the men, under rather unusual Christmas conditions. “I can assure you that all of the officers en- joyed immensely having the opportunity for a brief visit with such charming ladies. It was such a pleasure to all of us to hear the sound of such cheerful voices. “Please tell Miss Wilson that we shall all be looking out for her brother, Captain Denver Wilson, when we get to Fort Ord [California] and can assure her that we shall be sure to tell him what a grand sister he has.”
28 CANTEEN: AS IT HAPPENED
Made with FlippingBook - PDF hosting