Telegraph | Dec. 26, 1942 Two organizations and many members of the Canteen group put in a busy Christmas day at the Canteen, when they handed out some 1,500 Christmas presents and served lunch and drinks to the service men who were in North Platte for their Christmas. … The hundreds of service men who passed through the Canteen expressed their appreciation in many ways, and the several pieces of mistle- toe that hung from the lamp hangers came into frequent use, much to the embarrassment of some of the ladies at the Canteen. The day was voted a huge success by all those that worked until late in the evening to make sure that no service man missed his lunch and present. Telegraph | Dec. 29, 1942 When the last soldier left the Canteen Monday, there remained one Christmas gift undelivered of the 4,516 presents contributed by individuals and organizations in North Platte and the many com- munities in this territory. That African-American service members were just as welcome at the Canteen as anyone else is definitively proven by this letter. Telegraph | Feb. 6, 1943 The North Plate Canteen today received a letter that holds interest for at least two reasons … The letter says in part:
“I arrived in camp today after a five-day trip from New York. I was not at ease until I began to write you a letter of appreciation. We passed through North Platte on Saturday afternoon and stopped at the station Canteen — but what a Canteen — you were the most cordial group of people I had ever seen, and I am frank in saying that. “In New York City the average canteen may give a service man a cup of coffee and one ciga- rette or a magazine to read and replace when he left, but not the North Platte Canteen. You had whole packs of smokes, unlimited supplies of magazines to have, untold foods, fruits, ice cream and an unbelievable desire to have us partake of it. … “I’m a colored boy of 19 years from New York — thus I’ve still another compliment or word of gratitude as it should be — I believe you can see
Canteen magazine and book display, circa 1943.
When the Canteen first started, it was a big day if 300 men passed through. Tomorrow the ladies expect to pass out some 2,500 Christmas pres- ents to the men who will be in North Platte on Christmas day. It is a far cry from the small beginning in the switchman’s shanty to the fine furnished rooms in the station with its large decorated Christmas tree, the long well-filled magazine tables, the two big coffee urns and the long serving tables where the men who visit the Canteen are served with hot lunches, hot and cold drinks and with reading materials of all kinds, both popular and religious. North Platte has reason to be proud of its Canteen, but those in charge, on this first birthday, want to express their whole-hearted thanks to the organizations and communities in this territory for the splendid support, with cash, contributions of supplies and the working help that they have fur- nished. Without this help from those communities the Canteen could not exist.
Military personnel at the Canteen’s magazine table.
54 CANTEEN: AS IT HAPPENED
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