saw America. He first heard of it on the way over, he said.
Now the second of the Canteen’s special sweet- treat traditions burst into public view.
Telegraph | May 18, 1942 For many weeks Mrs. L.W. [Ruth] Kinsman has been baking and decorating a birthday cake and do- nating it to the Canteen on Sundays to be claimed by the first soldier, sailor or marine that visits the Canteen and says “this is my birthday.” Yesterday a young sailor and his bride came into the Canteen from one of the trains and spied this cake. Turning to his wife he said, “look, a birth- day cake.” One of the ladies asked if this was his birthday, and if so, the cake belonged to him. He would say nothing, but the bride said, “go ahead and claim it. You have been wishing all day that you could have one of your mother’s good cakes for your birthday.” He was presented with the cake and started to thank those in charge, but his throat filled and be- fore he could say a word, “The Happy Birthday To You” song was started and soon not only those in the Canteen but the entire crowd on the platform joined in. It was a sight long to be remembered, as those present watched the young sailor standing there with his bride, unable to say a word, but with tears of gratitude streaming down his face.
Northwestern Bell Telephone Co. employee Betty Rogers (later McHare) serves a birthday cake to an unidentified sailor at the Canteen, circa 1942.
Daily Bulletin | May 12, 1942 Manuel Quezon, President of the Philippines Commonwealth, gave no interviews when he stopped for ten minutes in North Platte yesterday en route to Washington, D.C., for a conference with President Roosevelt … With his wife, members of his cabinet and military staff, accompanied by a U.S. bodyguard, President Quezon remained in his stateroom
during his stop in North Platte. Thru a member of his staff, he was presented with two huge apples by women of the Canteen service. President Quezon sent a personal message to Miss Rae Wilson, commander, expressing his thanks and lauding the Canteen for the work it is doing for service men. … One member of the party commented on hear- ing of the North Platte Canteen long before he
40 CANTEEN: AS IT HAPPENED
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