World War II

[Ray Merrell]

North Platte Canteen

Just ten days after Pearl Harbor, North Platte residents learned that their own Company D, Nebraska National Guard, which had been in training elsewhere was going to pass through en route to the Pacific Coast, and 700 citizens flocked to the station with boxes of cookies, candy, cakes and cigarettes. Among them was Rae Wilson, whose brother commanded the local company.

After a long wait the troop train rumbled into the station. Excitedly the crowd surged forward. Then came sharp disappointment, for the boys in the train were Company D, all right but a Kansas (not Nebraska) National Guard unit.

Disappointed yes, but someone in the crowd yelled, "Well what are we waiting for? Welcome to our city sons, and here's a little something for you." They passed out to these boys the gifts they had arranged for their own.

This gave Rae Wilson an idea. Why not meet all the trains? She contacted businessmen, housewives, railroaders and everyone who would help. On Christmas Day 1941 a troop train rolled in and found to their surprise smiling young ladies with baskets of treats.

Thus was born the North Platte Canteen. It soon outgrew its original quarters. Union Pacific Railroad donated the use of a large unused lunchroom in the depot.

An hour long documentary was made about The North Platte Canteen in 2004. It was shown on PBS Nationwide and is still shown occasionally. You can call your local PBS Station to request that it be shown. It can also be purchased or can be rented from Netfix. The name of the doumentary is "The Canteen Spirit".

Service people in the film are:

John Zgud - Army Air Corps
Vince Anderson - Marine
Ray Merrell - Marine
Jean Cashier - Coast Guard
Tony William - Army Air Corps

Gung Ho,

Ray

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Godbless, Ms. Wilson For Her Loving Genorosity To Our Troops. Thank You Ray For This Inspirational Story.

Semper Fi Ray




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