paying the visit on request, or rather on orders. He had heard so much about the Canteen from the men even in far-away Australia, and when they heard that he was bound for the states he was almost ordered to visit the Canteen and pay his respects. An elderly gentleman stood in the east doorway late Thursday afternoon (he could get no farther as the room was filled to overflowing) as he talked to a member of the train crew, who had just ar- rived. He learned from the railroader what was taking place. This gentleman pushed his way up to the desk and handed the lady in charge a sizeable bill, say- ing, “I owe you this.” Much surprised, the lady asked “For what.” With a wave of his hand he said: “For that,” turned and started for his train. As he walked slowly to his train his eyes filled with tears, and he said, “God bless them, I have three boys in service.”
on the west coast and will not return to North Platte. Rae, organizer of the Canteen, will be greatly missed by her co-workers. By then, the Canteen had received a critical dona- tion of $900 raised during the World-Herald scrap drive — though, as with the newspapers’ donor lists, there was a downside. Telegraph | Sept. 1, 1942 Many persons are of the impression that the orga- nization financially was in good shape due to the funds derived from the recent scrap drive. If it had not been for that money the Canteen would not have been able to remain open the past few weeks, and that money has been nearly expended, Mrs. [Helen] Christ said. Like many everyday items, sugar was subject to rationing. Western Nebraskans have long remem- bered these particular donations to the Canteen. Telegraph | Aug. 18, 1942 There is a cookie shortage at the North Platte Canteen and there is only one reason for it — “Sugar shortage” — [but] many ladies in the vicin- ity will bake cookies by the dozen if they can get the necessary sugar. The Canteen has sugar donated but little more than enough for the coffee served. Those in charge believe that there are families that do not use their full allotment of sugar and that if
Rose Loncar helps visiting servicemen choose magazines and books to take with them from the Canteen in this 1942 photo.
After seven months, the men of western Nebraska were pitching in alongside the women.
The beginning of August 1942 brought news of Rae Wilson’s second, indefinite departure from North Platte, first hinted at in a June 27 Daily Bulletin article. Though Rae would return for 10 days starting in late August, she had left the Canteen’s future entirely to Helen Christ and her friends. “Prowler,” Daily Bulletin | Aug. 5, 1942 Word was received yesterday that both Miss Rae and Miss Rena Wilson have secured employment
“Prowler,” Daily Bulletin | July 29, 1942 Approximately 15 men from Cozad marched into the Canteen yesterday afternoon and informed the women in charge that they intend to be in North Platte Tuesday, August 11, to assist with work. The men definitely stated that they wanted to prepare the food, and serve it themselves, and did not want any women around.
44 CANTEEN: AS IT HAPPENED
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