the Canteen work is under the supervision of a group of ladies that go unnoticed by all but those actively in contact with its serving work. Seven days a week, a small group of women are in charge of the tables and the coffee urns. These women direct all the various groups that serve [and] determine the number of sandwiches that are made at different times during the day, mak- ing sure that enough are on hand at all times but … [also] that too many are not prepared so there will be a surplus after the last train has been served. These ladies are responsible for the making of the coffee, tea and other drinks. They must watch the number of sheet cakes on hand, again to have enough but no surplus. A definite set of rules has been established regarding the serving at the tables, the care of the dishes and other serving ware. It falls on the shoulders of the ladies in charge to see that all groups understand their roles and that they are observed. The above are the most important duties of that small group of women who, to all intents and pur- poses to the outsider, [seem to focus on] the mak- ing of coffee. This group is just another untiring group of ladies who day after day do their part in making the North Platte Canteen one of the most famous among service men in the entire country. They deserve the whole-hearted commendation of all supporters of the Canteen.
“Platform girls” (from left) Bonnie Paul, Dorothy Loncar and Margaret McEvoy deliver fruit to service members not allowed to leave their troop train, circa 1944.
is using up our reserve funds a lot faster than it would with just the regular trains, and no one can conscientiously let these fine boys down. It is grati- fying to see their faces when they glimpse a bit of ‘home’ with the birthday cakes and other things!” Mrs. Christ also added, “Why, last Sunday, a birthday cake was given to a chaplain who had his leg amputated at the front lines, and he couldn’t even thank us in the way he thought would be the proper way. He just had too many lumps in his throat.”
More seriously, with U.S. forces fully engaged on three fronts (Italy, France and the Pacific), hospi- tal trains bearing wounded service members were accounting for larger shares of Canteen traffic. Telegraph | Aug. 26, 1944 With the increased number of hospital trains going through here daily, the need for more cash donations is urgent. Mrs. [Helen] Christ said this morning, “With the increase of these trains, it
80 CANTEEN: AS IT HAPPENED
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