Recognizing Outstanding efforts of Individuals and Communities Who Volunteered or Donated Items to North Platte Canteen During World War II

RECOGNIZING OUTSTANDING EFFORTS OF INDIVIDUALS AND COMMUNITIES WHO VOLUNTEERED OR DONATED ITEMS TO NORTH PLATTE CANTEEN DURING WORLD WAR II -- (House of Representatives - September 22, 2004)

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Mrs. DAVIS of California. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume, and I rise in support of House Concurrent Resolution 161 introduced by the gentleman from Nebraska (Mr. Osborne).

I am very pleased to be here today with my colleague on the House Committee on Armed Services, the gentleman from Arizona (Mr. Franks), to recognize the wonderful efforts of the citizens of North Platte, Nebraska, for their support of the troops during World War II.

Mr. Speaker, as I have learned about this, I am amazed to find out how hard the people of North Platte worked to find out about the brave young men that were heading off to battle. Their compassion and the generosity displayed by these fine citizens should be commended as a shining example of kindness for future generations of Americans.

As World War II reached its peak, the canteen was serving 3,000 to 5,000 service members each day. The daily shopping list included 160 to 175 loaves of bread, 100 pounds of meat, 15 pounds of cheese, 18 pounds of butter, 45 pounds of coffee, 40 quarts of cream, 500 half-pints of milk and 35 dozen rolls, along with 18 to 20 birthday cakes given to those celebrating their birthdays.

This may not sound like much today, but it is truly amazing since many of these individuals and families were donating all of these items while food and other goods were being rationed across the country.

Another thing that struck me was how the North Platte Canteen came into existence. On December 17 of 1941, rumors abounded throughout the town that a train carrying members of the Nebraska National Guard was to arrive. The train did, carrying hundreds of soldiers; but they were not from Nebraska. The troops traveling that day through North Platte were from Kansas. This did not stop hundreds of local citizens from North Platte from greeting the soldiers from out of state and from expressing their deep gratitude.

Of course, North Platte resident Miss Rae Wilson suggested that the town establish a canteen to welcome all the troops traveling through the city so that those heading off to war could have a taste of home on their long journey. The 12,000 citizens of North Platte agreed, and over time clubs and organizations began to contribute volunteers, food, and funding. And pretty soon everyone got together to support the canteen. There were benefit movies and dances, scrap metal drives, and other donations. All contributed to the effort. In all, men, women, and children from over 125 communities, some as far as Colorado and Kansas, worked together to care for the troops during these quick 10-minute train stops. When the doors of the Service Men's Canteen in the Union Pacific Railroad Station in North Platte closed on April 1, 1946, almost 55,000 volunteers from 125 communities had served 6 million servicemen and -women.

While other canteens existed across the country during World War II, North Platt's canteen may have been the most famous. We no longer have canteens across the country to support our troops, but American citizens still continue the spirit of charity through their support of USO centers and other organizations around the world.

I urge my fellow Americans to follow in the footsteps of these patriotic citizens and continue their efforts to support our brave servicemembers today. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this resolution.

Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

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Mrs. DAVIS of California. Madam Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman from Minnesota (Mr. Oberstar).

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Mrs. DAVIS of California. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

Madam Speaker, I am so pleased to have this opportunity today to join with my colleagues in thanking the people of North Platte for setting such a fine, genuine example of support and patriotism for our troops and for our country.

Madam Speaker, I have no further requests for time, and I yield back the balance of my time.