Archives 2002


 

 
Sunday 12/22/2002 0:06:11am
Name: Johnnie D. Johnson
E-Mail: ussmidway@webtv.net
Homepage Title:  
Homepage URL:  
Where are you from: Salinas, CA.
Referred By: Search Engine
Comments:
I've heard of the canteen from a book I recently read. Even though I've never been to North Platte, NE, I wanted to know more and your website seem to do the job. Makes me feel going back to that era.

Wednesday 12/04/2002 5:45:22am
Name: Denny Campbell
E-Mail:  
Homepage Title:  
Homepage URL:  
Where are you from: Paxton, NE
Referred By: Search Engine
Comments: I found this site while working on a research paper for my WWII history class for which I had to interview a participant of WWII. I was really stuck until I learned that my grandmother worked at the canteen and was interviewed for Mr. Greene's wonderful book. I am sad to say that while reading the book I realized that under the same circumstances today there is absolutely no chance that my generation or the one before me would be willing to put forth even a shadow of the effort and commitment shown by all those wonderful people. For all the conveniences of today I wish I could have lived back then when quite frankly the quality of people was better. I thought maybe we would return to the kind of America we were then but the trend seems to be coming to an end already. I appreciate coming from a small town where people actually care for each other more now than ever before.


 
Saturday 11/30/2002 9:38:52pm
Name: Sandra Snipes
E-Mail: JSNIPES@sc.rr.com
Homepage Title:  
Homepage URL:  
Where are you from: Chapin, South Carolina
Referred By: Just Surfed In
Comments: I have been searching for this story and the book by Bob Greene since I heard about it on a tv talk show. Thanks for having this wonderful site. My father was a World War 11 hero on a train in France and Germany. This is very close to my heart. Thanks P. S. I am putting his information on the web site for vets. He is now 85 and will turn 86 12/4. Aubrey Gyles Lancaster


 
Tuesday 11/26/2002 2:36:46pm
Name: Jean Mosbach
E-Mail: jmosbach@wainwrightindustries.com
Homepage Title:  
Homepage URL:  
Where are you from: Valley Park, Missouri
Referred By: Just Surfed In
Comments: I am presently reading Bob Greene's book about the North Platte Canteen. It gives you a warm feeling that people were so self-sacrificing during a time it was really needed. I was a child during WWII, but can remember the rationing that took place, so people really did sacrifice to pull this off. They deserve so much gratitude and apparently the servicemen felt that gratitude toward them. What a wonderful way to have your town remembered!


 
Thursday 11/21/2002 5:44:45pm
Name: Phil and Allyson Ulm
E-Mail: pulm@tampabay.rr.com
Homepage Title:  
Homepage URL:  
Where are you from: Tampa, Florida
Referred By: Search Engine
Comments: My wife and I have many relatives that have willingly served our country. Thanks for what your town did for those great men and women. Your story reminds me of what we are fighting for today.


 
Sunday 11/17/2002 5:25:33pm
Name: Elaine Fellows
E-Mail:  
Homepage Title:  
Homepage URL:  
Where are you from: Apex, North Carolina
Referred By: Search Engine
Comments: I was researching information on "Once Upon a Town" for my book club meeting and came across your site. It is wonderful. I enjoyed the pictures and am proud to have come from the Midwest where such generous and giving people live. (I grew up near Tyndall, South Dakota). Thanks for the wonderful site!

Thursday 11/14/2002 12:16:48am
Name: Bernie
E-Mail: castlecreekfarm@att.net
Homepage Title:  
Homepage URL:  
Where are you from: New Jersey
Referred By: Search Engine
Comments: I am reading "Once Upon A Town". What a great story. My only regret is that when I and so many others went to fight in Viet Nam there was no North Platte Canteen. What great spirit and dedication were shown by all those who participated. It is not at all surprising that this GREAT story lives on.


 
Tuesday 10/22/2002 5:03:07pm
Name: Taylor Dupree
E-Mail:  
Homepage Title:  
Homepage URL:  
Where are you from: Angier, NC
Referred By: Search Engine
Comments: I"m using the North Platte Canteen for a college paper.


 
Friday 10/18/2002 11:07:46am
Name: Ralph and Dorothy Zeman
E-Mail: elwil123@charter.net
Homepage Title:  
Homepage URL:  
Where are you from: Blue Mounds, Wisconsin
Referred By: Just Surfed In
Comments: What a wonderful town you have. Ralph and I have stayed there many times traveling west on I80. Of course we spend time at the railroad overlook. Hope a new one is built soon.

I saw Mr. Green's program regarding his book about the site, and I had tears thinking of all those young men being treated so great by North Platte.


 
Monday 10/14/2002 9:05:52pm
Name: Donna (Lewis) Johnson
E-Mail: DJohnxon@aol.com
Homepage Title:  
Homepage URL:  
Where are you from: Sutherland Nebraska
Referred By: Search Engine
Comments: I was 14 and a Sophomore in Sutherland High School -- 20 miles west of North Platte when the war started. My mother, Maude Lewis, was chairman of the canteen committee in Sutherland. The town had a population of 1000. It was my job to go to every house in town on my bicycle a week before our designated day to go to the canteen to receive all the contributed sugar to bake the Birthday Cakes, Cookies, and sheet cakes. Sugar was rationed and Many people would save all their sugar to give to the canteen baking. My two brothers, Keith and Vernon Lewis were in the Navy. I always felt that somehow I was showing love for my brothers when the boys we served smiled with such appreciation.

Monday 10/07/2002 2:53:20pm
Name: Karen Osborn
E-Mail: osbornk@mpcca.cc.ne.us
Homepage Title:  
Homepage URL:  
Where are you from: North Platte
Referred By: Friend
Comments: Wonderful! Great job, Martin. Makes me teary-eyed though. ko


 
Saturday 10/05/2002 6:56:04pm
Name: Beth Compton
E-Mail: ebac113@hotmail.com
Homepage Title:  
Homepage URL:  
Where are you from: Houston, TX
Referred By: Search Engine
Comments: I am a middle school student in Houston and, would like to talk to anyone who either passed through the canteen, worked there, or was alive and old enough to remember anything about the home front during WWII. I'm writing a paper for school history fair. I would love to interview anyone who was around back then.

Sincerly,
Beth Compton


 
Friday 10/04/2002 9:55:48pm
Name: Richard C. Reed
E-Mail: rcr_scr@hotmail.com
Homepage Title:  
Homepage URL:  
Where are you from: Independence, Missouri
Referred By: Friend
Comments: Although to young for the war, I can appreciate the love the servicemen had for the volunteers who manned the canteen in North Platte, Ne. giving a brief moment of happiness to those on a long journey. During 20 years in the Air Force following the war, I never had that experience, but wish I had. With this site on the internet, you will not be forgotten.


 
Thursday 10/03/2002 5:30:42pm
Name: Terry Schuh
E-Mail: twschuh@att.net
Homepage Title:  
Homepage URL:  
Where are you from: Milwaukee, WI
Referred By: Just Surfed In
Comments: I am reading "Once Upon a Town" and had to do a search on North Platte. I passed by on the Interstate about 7 years ago and had no idea how important your little city was during WWII. What an incredible effort by so many great people! I doubt today's generation (my own) could fathom the sacrifices made to provide so much support and hospitality to millions of servicemen. The only thing missing from the book is pictures. I am glad your site provides some so we can see what the Canteen looked like in it's day. Great site. The book paints a great portrait of the invaluable service the Nebraskans at the Canteen provided to millions when it was needed most.


 
Saturday 09/28/2002 1:58:03pm
Name: Steven L Dawes
E-Mail: sdawes@cox.net
Homepage Title:  
Homepage URL: http://steveandmarta.com
Where are you from: Omaha, Ne
Referred By: Search Engine
Comments: I love the site! Thank you for the hard work.

Friday 09/27/2002 3:38:11pm
Name: Corinne Corr
E-Mail: thecorrs@bellsouth.net
Homepage Title:  
Homepage URL:  
Where are you from: Atlanta, GA
Referred By: Search Engine
Comments: I'm in the process of reading "Once Upon a Town - The Miracle of the North Platte Canteen". I never knew! How wonderful that the people of North Platte did such a thing, this Canteen. I'm in awe...

I don't remember learning about this wonderful place when I was in school years ago. It needs to be in the school books.

Wow.

-Corinne


 
Wednesday 09/18/2002 4:07:59pm
Name: Pam Tetreault
E-Mail: pamtetreault@earthlink.net
Homepage Title:  
Homepage URL:  
Where are you from: Prescott, AZ
Referred By: Search Engine
Comments: Just finished reading "Once Upon a Town." Thanks for what you all did. I'm certainly grateful this story has been told to the world.


 
Thursday 09/05/2002 11:22:08pm
Name: Timothy Senecaut
E-Mail: Timothy.Senecaut@ngb.army.mil
Homepage Title:  
Homepage URL:  
Where are you from: Washington D.C. area
Referred By: Search Engine
Comments: Congratulations on constructing an outstanding website and, more importantly, carrying on the memory of the North Platte Canteen. I've thoroughly enjoyed reading not only the material you presented on the website but also the letters on the guestbook pages.

I recently read the book Once Upon a Town by Bob Green and was amazed by how powerful the Canteen gripped the servicemen and women that passed through North Platte. This raised a question in my mind regarding four of my uncles that served during WWII and may have stopped at the Canteen. My mother had four brothers; William (Bill), Paul, Charles (Charlie), and Lloyd Peak that all served in the Pacific Theater during the war. Bill (Navy) served on the USS Salt Lake City, Paul (Coast Guard) piloted a landing craft during the island hopping campaign, Charlie was with the 1st Division Marines and Lloyd (the youngest who lied about his age in order to enlist) fought with an Army parachute regiment during the invasion of Luzon. The question I have is, has anyone catalogued the "guest books" that I read about in Mr. Green's book? I would be interested to know if any of my uncles signed in and, if so, what day they passed through North Platte.

Additionally, I would like to relay an experience I had while returning from the Saudi Arabia after the Gulf War. It serves to point out that the spirit of the Canteen hasn't been completely forgotten by our great nation. After the Gulf War it was alive and well in Bangor, Maine.

I was a combat engineer platoon leader with the 24th Infantry Division and was flying back in April, 1991. All flights that left Saudi Arabia made two refueling stops while returning to the US, the first in either Belgium or Germany and the second in Bangor. The plane I was on arrived at the Bangor International Airport on a Sunday morning at about 6:30. My company, Alpha Company, 299th Engineer Battalion (Combat), as well as Bravo Company and portions of Higher Headquarters Company were greeted by a concourse full of citizens of Bangor and the surrounding area greeting us, welcoming us back home. I learned that each day the schedule of flights bringing servicemen and women back to the states was distributed by local newscasts, the Bangor newspaper, and by word of mouth.

Each arriving flight was greeted by a throng of "Maine-iacs" decked out in red, white, and blue ranging from youngsters (who enjoyed asking us for rank or branch insignia (and were more often than not successful in getting us to remove it and give it to them)) to older gentlemen who served in WWII, Korea, and Vietnam. I feel the residents of Bangor were similar to those who worked at and supported the Canteen because they came out all hours of the day, whenever a plane was arriving - no matter the size or number of service members arriving, acting as a welcoming bandwagon for the rest of the America. Although the duration of their support pales in comparison to that of the Canteen, the residents of Bangor displayed in the 30 minutes we were on the ground, similar qualities (patriotism, pride, thankfulness, respect) to those displayed by the Canteen workers and supporters.

I'm originally from a small town in southeast Kansas called Girard but am now stationed in the Washington D.C. area. Reading and hearing stories such as those displayed on your website and in Mr. Green's book make me feel proud not only to be an American but also to be from that part of the country. I feel that no matter where you're at you'll run into good folks who'll help you out or are just plain nice but you'll have better odds if you're in the Midwest.

Congratulations again on your website and keep up the great work.

Please respond if you know of anyone who has compiled a database on the "guest books" from the Canteen or if you know someone I may contact to discuss a visit to North Platte and the opportunity to look at some of the Canteen memorabilia, specifically the guest books.

Sincerely,

Tim Senecaut

MAJ Timothy Senecaut
Senior Architect
NGB-ARI-C
DSN 327-7951
(703) 607-7951


 
Thursday 09/05/2002 8:16:26pm
Name: Naomi
E-Mail:  
Homepage Title:  
Homepage URL:  
Where are you from: Scottsbluff, NE
Referred By: Search Engine
Comments: I'm from Scottsbluff, NE which is only about 3 hours from North Platte, and this story makes me proud to be a Nebraskan! I read the book "Once Upon a Town" and loved it, and it is awesome that you are keeping the story alive through a website too. It all happened long before my generation, but I think it is the neatest thing and it shows America hasn't forgotten how to show some small-town caring and community! Let's hope we never do!


 
Monday 09/02/2002 9:07:25am
Name: JOE EARL ADAMS
E-Mail: REDNECKSAILOR@AOL.COM
Homepage Title:  
Homepage URL:  
Where are you from: TUSCALOOSA, ALABAMA
Referred By: Just Surfed In
Comments: THANKS FOR THE MEMORIES. REALLY LIKE THE PHOTOS AND MUSIC. MAY GOD BLESS YOU, ONE AND ALL, FOR THE GOOD DEEDS YOU DID! THANKS AGAIN...

JOE ADAMS RM3 USN

Sunday 09/01/2002 11:42:53pm
Name: Mike Sheridan
E-Mail: mikesheridan@realtor.com
Homepage Title:  
Homepage URL: http://www.770mike.com
Where are you from: Des Moines, Iowa
Referred By: Search Engine
Comments: Even though I live not so far from North Plate, I'd not heard of the North Platte Canteen until I saw the story this morning on "Sunday Morning" on CBS.

The story touched me so deeply I cried. What a beautiful thing for those wonderful people to do. North Platte must be a marvelous town in which to live. I look forward to visiting one day soon.

Mike Sheridan
Des Moines, Iowa


 
Sunday 09/01/2002 9:48:17pm
Name: Shellie Y Griffiths
E-Mail: sygriffiths@yahoo.com
Homepage Title:  
Homepage URL:  
Where are you from: Hutchinson, Kansas
Referred By: Search Engine
Comments: I was born and raised in North Platte, Nebraska in 1958. I just recently discovered that my grandmother Gertrude Griffiths worked at the Canteen during the war years. My mother was watching CBS News Sunday Morning on September 1, 2001 and thought she might have seen Grandma in a picture. I thought I might be able to find another one of her on your website. I don't think there is but I enjoyed visiting your website anyway. I wish the Canteen was still standing. Thanks again!

Sincerely,

Shellie Y Griffiths


 
Sunday 09/01/2002 9:18:02pm
Name: Sue VerSchneider
E-Mail: sueverschneider@cs.com
Homepage Title: n/a
Homepage URL: http://n/a
Where are you from: Virginia Beach VA
Referred By: Search Engine
Comments: I had never heard of North Platte Canteen before this morning, while getting ready for a Cub Scout Outing with my son, and saw the CBS Sunday Morning Show.

I found the whole article very interesting as did my 11 year old. I am fairly certain at least 1 of my several uncles that went to War during that time, would have passed thru North Platte Canteen. And for that, my wonderful fellow American's I thank you.

I know when my husband was in the Gulf War, the little packages that he and his fellow military members received in Kuwait, touched him very deeply. He still has several little trinkets that were placed in the few boxes that he received.

Thank you from the bottom of my heart for leaning just a moment of your time and to those men.

Sue VerSchneider


 
Sunday 09/01/2002 7:38:31pm
Name: David Gantt
E-Mail: dcdg21@starpower.net
Homepage Title:  
Homepage URL:  
Where are you from: Washington, DC
Referred By: Search Engine
Comments: I recently read "Once Upon a Town" and cried through it all. What a beautiful story - it should never be forgotten. I thank you for providing photos of the Canteen which the book does not have. After crying my way through the book, it dawned on me that my father (who died in 1964) undoubtedly passed through North Platte on his way to fighting in the Pacific during WWII, so he must have enjoyed your town's hospitality. I visited North Platte with my grandmother, by chance, in 1988, and I fondly recall the extraordinary kindness shown to us in a runza restaurant there. It was our first time hearing of runzas (since we are from the South, where they are unknown), and we thought they were a great treat! But best of all, we also got to experience a bit of wonderful hospitality from North Platte residents... people who have now shown unusual kindness to 3 generations of our family. Thank you all, and do continue to carry on the tradition!


 
Sunday 09/01/2002 2:02:49pm
Name: Todd Canton
E-Mail: canton@tru.eastlink.ca
Homepage Title: Todd Canton on the Web
Homepage URL: http://trak.to/todd
Where are you from: Canada
Referred By: Search Engine
Comments: Hello from Nova Scotia. I had never heard of the Miracle of the North Platte Canteen until I watched Sunday Morning on CBS. I was genuinely touched! God Bless you all!

Saturday 08/31/2002 11:35:38pm
Name: JAMES I WHITE
E-Mail: JWCUE@AOL.COM
Homepage Title:  
Homepage URL:  
Where are you from: RAISED DALTON/ LIVE IN BROWNDEER WI
Referred By: Search Engine
Comments: I WAS ALWAY TOLD I WAS BORN ON THE TRAIN
NOV 30 1942
UNTIL THIS BOOK CAME OUT I HAD NO IDEA WHY THAT WAS IMPORTANT TO MY FAMILY MEMBERS

MY FATHER AND MOTHER HOMESTEAD A 80 ACREAS IN SAUM MINN

DAD SENT MOM/ VIOLA BOBO/WHITE BACK TO HER PARENTS IN CHAPEL NB FOR ME TO BE BORN/ AND AS TOLD TO ME BY AUNT BLANCH
STEWART/WHO WAS ONE OF THE CATEEN LADIES
FROM ARTHUR NB/ I WAS BORN IN A SNOW STORM/AND I HAVE A BIRTH CERTICATE FROM
A JULESBURG COLO/ MID WIFE.

VIOLA RUTH BOBO DIED IN 1957/ MY DAD
THEN MARRIED/ MOM /EVELYN BROWN FROM
LEWELLEN NB/ WHO ALSO WAS WITH THE CHURCH FROM LEWELLEN WHO BROUGHT GOODIES
TO THE CANTEEN

OH--DID I TELL YOU VIOLA HATED MINN
SO DAD CAME BACK TO CHAPPEL NB/ AND IN 1946 MOVED HIS FAMILY TO DALTON NB AND BLACKSMITH/UNTIL THAT ART DIED OFF/THEN WE HAD COMBINE CREWS AND WOULD GO SOUTH AND NORTH FOR MANY YRS.
MY MOTHER PASS AWAY WITH CANCER AND WHILE DAD WAS IN TEXAS FOR TREATMENT WITH MOM/ HE SEEN A BACKHOE------
WITH FOR BOYS JUST THE GOOD AGE TO MAKE WORKERS--HE PURCHASE THE FIRST BACKHOE SOLD BY TED B MILLER IN GERING.
TIMEING IS EVERYTHING/
AS POTTER /GURLEY/DALTON / LODGEPOLE/
DIX/BRODWATER NEBR WERE ALL GETTING CITY SEWER AND THUS DAD WOULD DIG 4 DITCH TO THE HOUSE THAT WANTED THE NEW SEWER SYSTEM AND COME GET HIS WORKERS FROM SCHOOL AND WE LEARNED TO LAY THE PIPE AND NEXT DAY HE WOULD COVER THE FIRST FOUR AND DIG FOUR MORE--
I THANK GOD EVERYDAY I HAD A FATHER WHO LOVE TO WORK AND DO A JOB RIGHT
WHAT A FREE LESSON WE BOYS GOT FROM A DAD WHO CARED'


 
Saturday 08/31/2002 10:34:31pm
Name: Becky
E-Mail: DNa6803343
Homepage Title:  
Homepage URL:  
Where are you from: Cozad, Nebraska native living in CO.
Referred By: Just Surfed In
Comments: This is a fun site. I like the 'card shop.'
After I read the book 'Miracle of the North Platte Canteen' by Bob Greene, I called my Mom to see if she knew anybody who helped out at the North Platte Canteen. She told me she and my Dad went there one day with a group called Rural Youth. They both peeled hard boiled eggs...lots of them! She was about 16 at the time, my father about 20. My father enlisted in the army, but was honorably discharged when they found out he was nearly blind. He had listened to the other guys taking the eye test and memorized it so he passed to get in, but was found out later. He was there long enough to learn how to fold t-shirts the army way. He taught us girls! I never knew about them helping one day at the North Platte Canteen. It's awesome what all those volunteers and donations did at that time.


 
Tuesday 08/27/2002 0:04:44am
Name: Edward A. Bellis
E-Mail: Jeep@Coastalnet.com
Homepage Title:  
Homepage URL:  
Where are you from: New Bern, NC
Referred By: Just Surfed In
Comments: Your site today is refreshing in the same way the North Platte stopover was refreshing in WWII. I will be traveling in Nebraska in a couple of weeks and look forward to stopping in North Platte. I remember WWII but was a boy in 1945 and later served some 32 years in the US Army. God Bless America and the kind folk of North Platte


 
Sunday 08/25/2002 6:43:01pm
Name: Steve Mockler
E-Mail: samockler@hotmail.com
Homepage Title:  
Homepage URL:  
Where are you from: Wanatah Indiana
Referred By: Search Engine
Comments: First of all, the site a wonderful step back into history. Thank you for the site.

I came across the story of North Platte, out of being a fan of the Author Bob Greene. I work as an Asst Manager in a Walmart store in Central Illinois, and one day as I was going to lunch, I stopped to see if there were any books that I would like to take with me to read. I came across Mr. Greene's book, and had a really hard time going back to work. The story of North Platte, is an amazing example of what our nation was. I have heard and watched all of the stories of WWII while studying it in College, and I never came across this story.

I am not ashamed to say that while reading the book, and really letting myself "live" in North Platte for a few days, brought a lot of emotions. There were many times that I was fighting back the tears.

Both of my grandfathers were in WWII. I am lucky that both are still alive, and I am now going to find out if they happened to be lucky enough to stop through this wonderful little heaven, known as North Platte.

To all of those that did this, all I can say is thank you from the bottom of my heart. I hope that this is as inspiring to all of those that happen across the story as it has been for me.

When they talk about heroes in our great nation, at the top of the list should be all of those ladies that gave a little bit of joy to our service men during those terrible beginning years of their life.


 
Saturday 08/24/2002 4:50:39pm
Name: D. F. C. Ellenburg
E-Mail: ellie@interlink-cafe.com
Homepage Title:  
Homepage URL:  
Where are you from: Pineola, North Carolina
Referred By: Just Surfed In
Comments: What a tribute to the American Spirit. I must get Bob Greene's book, "Once upon a Town". What a great presentation on "NIGHT LINE" on August 23, 2002.
Is there a movie in the making??? The North Platte Canteen story reads and sounds like the "True American" should be each day. I AM AMAZED!!!!!

Saturday 08/24/2002 4:20:25am
Name: James P. Valois
E-Mail: Lordleadus@cs.com
Homepage Title:  
Homepage URL:  
Where are you from: Aloha, Oregon
Referred By: Just Surfed In
Comments: To my fellow Americans:

I was touched deeply by the generosity of the people of North Platte and to the heroic valor of our servicemen and women both of yesterday and today. I heard of the North Platte Canteen on ABC's Up Close news magazine show. It reminded me of the family get togethers our family had. Where we gathered together to talk and laugh. To eat moms fresh baked apple pie or Aunt Violets rice pudding. To have the cousins play a game of softball. Or togather around a piano and sing song or hymns. To me those were and are the best of times. That is what the people of North Platte did for our servicemen and women. They welcomed each and everyone on those trains as one of their family. So I say THANK YOU to all of the people who volunteered to bring alittle bit of home and love to those volunteered to serve our country and world. In deep appreciation to all I AM PROUD TO BE AMERICAN. James P. Valois


 
Thursday 08/22/2002 8:44:42pm
Name: Bill Moseley
E-Mail: billmoseley@rogers.com
Homepage Title: propanepal.com
Homepage URL: http://propanepal.com
Where are you from: Cambridge, Ontario, Canada
Referred By: Search Engine
Comments: We need more sites like this.


 
Tuesday 08/20/2002 10:57:44am
Name: Margie West
E-Mail: margie0519@aol.com
Homepage Title:  
Homepage URL:  
Where are you from: originally, Syr, NY,now Zephyrhills, FL
Referred By: Search Engine
Comments: I just finished reading the book about the Canteen - what a wonderful story - glad to hear that such people exists.

Thanks.


 
Sunday 08/18/2002 4:12:51am
Name: Kitty Boell
E-Mail: rolboe@juno.com
Homepage Title:  
Homepage URL:  
Where are you from:  
Referred By: Just Surfed In
Comments: My husband and I visited your great city last Sept. and learned about your services to our servicemen and women. It is a great thing that everyone did and it makes me proud to be an American.


 
Friday 08/16/2002 8:50:12am
Name: Vicki Klabusich
E-Mail: vickibk@aol.com
Homepage Title:  
Homepage URL:  
Where are you from: Indiana
Referred By: Friend
Comments: My daughter helped Bob Greene in Nebraska with research on his book "Once Upon a Town". I've had an interest in the canteen ever since! Great site!(Great Book!)

Monday 08/12/2002 10:40:56pm
Name: jeanne kern
E-Mail: jeanne@richkern.com
Homepage Title:  
Homepage URL:  
Where are you from: lincoln
Referred By: Search Engine
Comments: A wonderful site for a thrilling achievement that can never be duplicated!


 
Monday 08/12/2002 8:24:47pm
Name: Bill Desmond
E-Mail: dukemc63@aol.com
Homepage Title: None
Homepage URL:  
Where are you from: Chicago, IL
Referred By: Web Ring
Comments: I learned of the North Platte Canteen by reading Bob Greene's book, Once There Was A Town. I highly recommend it.
I would like to learn if my uncle might have visited it. He was one of the original pilots in the formation of the 445th Bomb Group (Heavy), 701st Squadron (1st Lt William J. "Dusty" Desmond). If anyone was in the group that formed up the 445th, please let me know if you men ever made the stop at North Platte before going to England in late 1943 (he did not return). I love this site and will visit often. Thanks!


 
Tuesday 08/06/2002 7:16:48pm
Name: Patricia S. Smith
E-Mail: patriciassmith1@cs.com
Homepage Title:  
Homepage URL:  
Where are you from: Brooklyn, NY
Referred By: Just Surfed In
Comments: During the last year, I put together a genealogy of my paternal grandfather's Swenson family, including his son T.O. Swenson who lived in North Platte. I read Bob Greene's book and tonight decided see if there was a canteen site. And guess who I found? T.O.'s wife, Lyda Swenson, my grand aunt, presenting a cake to a serviceman in 1942.

I was surprised and thrilled! As I read the book, I had wondered if she had participated. I was sure she must since it seems that all the North Platte women did. She is long gone as are her children. I just sent her grandkids and the other cousins a message to look at the site.

I'd never heard of the canteen until Greene's book was published. I am sure that my late husband went through it.

Great site!


 
Friday 08/02/2002 3:18:51pm
Name: Kate Robertson
E-Mail: kate@craftpersonnel.com
Homepage Title:  
Homepage URL:  
Where are you from: Houston, TX
Referred By: Search Engine
Comments: I had never heard of the North Platte Canteen until my book club decided to read Bob Greene's book Once Upon a Town. I was so touched by the stories of the Canteen.

I had several uncles that served in WWII (my dad just missed it, but served in the Korean War). Unfortunately, they are all gone now so I cannot ask them if they ever went to the Canteen.

Hats off to all those volunteers and to all the servicemen. Thank you for securing the freedoms that we enjoy today!


 
Friday 08/02/2002 11:24:42am
Name: Paaul Metro
E-Mail: Paulie78@AOL.com
Homepage Title:  
Homepage URL:  
Where are you from: Edison, New Jersey
Referred By: Search Engine
Comments: I have visited this site numerous times.
The last time I signed the Guest Book was November 12, 2000.
I just learned about Bob Greene's book, "Once Upon a Town" yesterday. I couldn't put it down, it brought back so many memories - not just of North Platte. Those were the days when America was united, and the people of North Platte were great exemplars of true Americanism.
Thanks again, for my 10 minutes with you.

Thursday 07/25/2002 10:36:06pm
Name: Carole Jensen Tucker
E-Mail: wctu@actcom.net
Homepage Title:  
Homepage URL:  
Where are you from: Scottsbluff, Nebraska
Referred By: Search Engine
Comments: I was very touched by Bob Greene's book, and since some of my family lives in North Platte, it was interesting. My Uncle Cliff Veal was an engineer for the Union Pacific back in the 1940's. My Aunt Flossie Rumbeck who was a hair dresser in North Platte at that time, remembers bringing food to the Canteen on Sundays, her only day off. She is now 95 and lives in Colorado.

It has been touching to talk to people who remember those times and what a sacrifice it was for the women to furnish food, but was done so willingly. Apparently my husband's brothers went through there during the 2nd World War, but they are all deceased so I can't ask them.

Carole


 
Thursday 07/25/2002 1:55:56pm
Name: Marilyn LaRock
E-Mail: marlar32@earthlink.net
Homepage Title:  
Homepage URL:  
Where are you from: Michigan
Referred By: Search Engine
Comments: So "typical" of the American spirit during that time in history. As a teenager, I recall watching convoys of trucks passing our home all hours of the day and night, as we were on the "corner" of a then thoroughfare thru Jackson, Michigan. We used to save our pennies for candy, which we could buy once a month at the corner store by our home, and would "throw" all that candy up to the "boys" in those trucks. My grandfather used to gather all the "day old" mini-loaves of bread from the local "Kleen-maid" bakery in town, and we tossed them up also. Guess even plain bread tasted pretty good compared to dry "rations". There was a guard on duty 24/7/365 during those days, and that "guard" was always "treated" with coffee, sweet rolls, sandwiches, soup and/or whatever was in our home for any given meal. There was never any doubt that this was "the thing to do" and we loved every second of it and the G.I.'s were always so grateful for every wee bit. What a wonderful time that was. I feel sad that our young people will never experience such a "loving, selfless time" in this great U.S. of A. Keep up the great work you all are doing on this site. It makes "remembering" endless.


 
Thursday 07/25/2002 8:39:34am
Name: Marilyn LaRock
E-Mail: marlar32@earthlink.net
Homepage Title:  
Homepage URL:  
Where are you from: The Great State of Michigan
Referred By: Search Engine
Comments: A friend sent me Bob Greene's "Once Upon A Town". I had read an article previously of the North Platte Canteen in the "Parade Section" of our local newspaper, but I was not prepared for the wonderful "story" behind it all. I immediately wanted to research the present situation in North Platte, and was so very happy to find that there is indeed quite a bit "going on" to commemorate that wonderful era. I will be "buying a brick" soon for the memorial and am sending this website on to a wonderful "travel group" that I'm involved with in the hopes that in their travels, they might be able to "treat" their members with a visit to North Platte. Thanks to every surviving soul and/or their surviving families for a "wonderful job - well done!!!". Sincerely and God Bless America, M. LaRock


 
Tuesday 07/23/2002 10:46:17pm
Name: Ralph Ward
E-Mail: rowlsw@mindspring.com
Homepage Title:  
Homepage URL:  
Where are you from: Vernon, Florida
Referred By: Just Surfed In
Comments: I was one of the 6 million GIs that passed through North Platte Nebraska twice during WW2.

The memory of the kindness and generosity of the people of North Platte has never left my memory. Though the years have rolled by, all too quickly, and I am now 78 years old, I am still in awe and amazement of what had to be a lot of hard work and devotion by the people of North Platte to make a few minutes of the young service men lives more enjoyable. We pulled into North Platte early one mornign on a troop train. The first thing I remember about North Platte was the snow, I had never seen snow before, I was born and reared in Florida and had never been out of the state of Florida except one time when I was a little boy, I visited Geneva, Alabama with some neighbors. Everything was so white and so beautiful coming into North Platte, I really did not know what it was when I first saw it, then someone said "its snowing" And then the Conductor said you are in for another surprise. You just wait until we pull into the station, they have a canteen there with lots of good food and pretty girls. Boy, was I surprised, the food was delicious and the girls were very pretty. I remember one girl that jitterbugged with us. Oh don't get me wrong, the food and drinks were delicious and we really appreciated them, but long after the effects of the good food were gone, the memory of that pretty jitterbugging girl had been burned in my memory, as I'm sure it was with all the young lonely men that was far from home. Yes, we learned that these Nebraska people really did care about us. They were not "just putting on" they were sincere about wanting to make our 10 or 20 minute stop in North Platte a little more enjoyable. I have told many people, over the years about the lovely people of North Platte. and I must tell you to this day, it is hard for me to talk about it without getting a little damp eyed.

I've not been able to return to North Platte, since WW2, but someone told me the passenger trains no longer run through North Platte and they have torn the train station and the canteen down. How sad, how could they have had the heart to tear the canteen and train station down? It seems that a way could have been found to make that place a memorial to the wonderful, kind people of Nebraska, who made life a little happier for 6 million GIs, like myself. When the trains stopped running through North Platte, I''m surprised the Union Pacific railroad didn't just donate the depot to the City of North Platte. Maybe a way can be found to rebuild it just the way it was during WW2. I hope so. This great Nation was made great by unselfish Americans, like the people of North Platte. They contributed and did their part to make this beautiful country the greatest nation the world has ever known. Those people should be remembered and memorialized. So, just let me say the nice people of North Platte and the other nearby communities, thank you, thank you, thank you.

Ralph Odell Ward


 
Saturday 07/20/2002 10:07:33pm
Name: Denver H. Wilson