mailed their cards and letters for them as most of them had scarcely any money. Also on the train was an Hawaiian refugee who had lived just outside Honolulu and did not know of the [Pearl Harbor] bombing until he heard over the radio the request for evacuation. As 1941 ended, Daily Bulletin Editor and Publisher Fred W. Speers, who soon would leave for the service himself, offered a prophecy about what Rae Wilson and her townmates had begun. Daily Bulletin Editorial | Dec. 30, 1941 Now, more so than ever, with the distraction of Christmas a thing of the past, the time has come for people to concentrate on the war effort; to realize that this nation is at war; to realize that all those things which we hold as priceless heritages of the United States are in jeopardy, and to try, each in his own way, to do what can be done to win this war. In North Platte already many individuals and organizations have freely offered their time and services in various ways to help. The various county defense committees, the Canteen, the extra duties imposed on organizations already existing and the voluntary purchases of defense savings stamps and bonds are all beginning to take their share of time and money. And this is only the beginning.
Rae Wilson says goodbye to unidentified soldiers, 1942.
were given something by which they will remem- ber North Platte. There were two troop trains dur- ing the day, each carrying about 500 soldiers. All trains during the day were met, and another 100 men on them were treated. “Money isn’t the only kind of donation that is acceptable,” Miss Wilson said. “Yesterday we gave away more than 500 old magazines and news- papers. We want more of them. In addition, we would like to have old games, decks of cards, in fact anything which a man can use to while away long hours on the train.”
The Canteen committee is making arrangements to place in all stores and cafes small boxes which are to be used for the donation of nickels, dimes and quarters. It is hoped the boxes can be installed in many downtown business places over the week-end. Telegraph | Dec. 30, 1941 The Canteen Club, under the direction of Rae Wilson, yesterday served over 287 service men who passed through North Platte on trains. A car of British West Indies soldiers passed through here yesterday, and the Canteen Club
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