North Platte, Nebraska, had a population of 12,000 in 1941. After Pearl Harbor was attacked, towns people heard that a train of Nebraska National Guard troops was scheduled to pass through town on Dec. 17th. They went to the station with cookies and food, only to find the Guard unit was from Kansas. Nonetheless, the soldiers received all that the town had.
After that, the town met every single train, sometimes as many as 320 a day. The military personnel had ten minutes to get off the train, but they would all be served. Amazingly, even in this time of strict rationing, the town was able to serve 6 million during the war, and without government assistance. It was something they were proud to do. Well, I guess I should mention that they did get a $5 check from President Roosevelt.
One 90 year old veteran with failing memory, when the canteen was mentioned, said, "Wouldn't it be great to be back in N. Platte for just five minutes."
There is an excellent video in You Tube about this amazing effort.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=07DGeLvDw8I
Once Again, the Greatest Generation. --Da Coot
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