Archives 2004

Tuesday 11/30/2004 6:04:36pm
Name:	M.T. Fisher
E-Mail:	mr._mickey@fsvmail.net
Homepage Title:
Homepage URL:
Where are you from:	Yukon, OK
Referred By:	Search Engine
Comments:	What an outstanding story this is! You've done a great job with this site. Thanks.

Friday 11/26/2004 12:27:36am
Name:	ROB HANSEN
E-Mail:	robh@gun-ko.com
Homepage Title:
Homepage URL:
Where are you from:	overland park ks.
Referred By:	Search Engine
Comments:	I never knew this part of my family history until the book was written. Off of memory, I believe page 17 or 18 I am not sure. I am sure you will know. My greatgrandmother was the mother of a soldier that had died in action, and she had just learned of it. She did not skip a beat and continued to serve soldiers. her name was Wright. our family still has many members living in N.Platte. i have always loved visiting.The city and atmosphere are always welcoming. Please don't ever change.

Monday 11/22/2004 8:05:51am
Name:	Kittie Larson
E-Mail:
Homepage Title:
Homepage URL:
Where are you from:	Beaverton Oregon
Referred By:	Search Engine
Comments:	One of our local acting troupes put on a play based on the North Platte Canteen. I can't tell you how moving it was. To think that those people took care of that many service people for all those years is unbelievable. I wish Americans today had that care and concern for each other. I know there are a lot of folks that do good, but there are so many that forget.

Wednesday 11/17/2004 3:53:04pm
Name:	Cleo Johnson
E-Mail:	clj616@coredcs.com
Homepage Title:
Homepage URL:
Where are you from:	Stevens Point,Wisconsin
Referred By:	Search Engine
Comments:	Excellent Site! I'm a 7th grader doing a project on WW2 and thought I'd take a different angle on the war. I bet my teacher will be glad to see more than just the usual tradgey story for a project.I'm going to show how the people who wern't fighting had a effect on the war. Thanks for putting up the site! GTG

Wednesday 11/17/2004 1:48:17pm
Name:	Dee Shelton
E-Mail:	Deeshel2003@yahoo.com
Homepage Title:
Homepage URL:
Where are you from:	Des Moines Ia.
Referred By:	Friend
Comments:	It is a neat site. I haven't been through it yet I am going to do that now. I may use this for home school. Dee

Friday 11/12/2004 10:45:24am
Name:	Steve Ray
E-Mail:	Sray@elic.org
Homepage Title:
Homepage URL:
Where are you from:	Pasadena
Referred By:	Just Surfed In
Comments:	Thank you for this fine commemoration of the North Platte Canteen. I read about you from the book, "Once Upon a Town." Wonderful!

Monday 11/01/2004 1:31:25pm
Name:	Jamie
E-Mail:	brynn@hawaii.com
Homepage Title:
Homepage URL:
Where are you from:	Boise, Idaho
Referred By:	Search Engine
Comments:	If only we were doing this today for the soldiers in Iraq. Maybe we wouldn't be so divided. A joint effort such as this one helps to unite. What an amazing story. I am grateful just to have read the story. Lord Bless all who worked and contributed to this great effort.

Thursday 10/28/2004 10:17:49pm
Name:	Ron Kelly
E-Mail:	ronlewis01@hotmail.com
Homepage Title:
Homepage URL:
Where are you from:	Bakersfield, CA
Referred By:	Just Surfed In
Comments:	It was my pleasure as a TV news anchor & reporter at KNOP-TV to have done a story on the canteen back in 1985. I interviewed Rose Loncar and another woman about their efforts to have done what no one else in the country did at that time. The story is not only warm and entertaining, but also inspiring. It's truly a shame that the depot didn't survive, but the memory of what happened there will live on in the hearts of those who experienced it. I will always be glad that I had the chance to hear the wonderful story. Ron Kelly

Thursday 10/21/2004 11:16:02am
Name:	Jamie
E-Mail:	goddess_of_tango@yahoo.com
Homepage Title:	Goddess_Above_Suspicion
Homepage URL:	http://www.xanga.com/home.aspx?user=goddess_above_suspicion
Where are you from:	MN
Referred By:	Just Surfed In
Comments:	In my Lit. class we are reading "Once Upon a Town" by Bob Greene, and with my research on our paper we have to write, this website is a very helpful resource. Its nice to see a website dedicated to all those who helped out for the Canteen. Keep up the great work!

Tuesday 10/12/2004 10:54:53am
Name:	Mary Lou Caruso
E-Mail:	mcaruso@aces.k12.ct.us
Homepage Title:
Homepage URL:
Where are you from:	Guilford, CT
Referred By:	Search Engine
Comments:	I'm originally from Lincoln, NE. My aunt lived in North Platte in the 60-70s and her husband was a WWII veteran. I've sent the book that was written about the canteen to my mother who was born and raised in Oxford, NE and to my aunts children in Michigan and Denver. When I found this site today I got tears as I heard "In the Mood" that was my Aunt (Wilma Adden Varwig) and her husband Walter Varwig's favorite song and boy, could they dance to it. I now live in Guilford Ct for the past 23 years and never knew of the canteen until I watched a story about it on the CBS Sunday morning show a couple of years ago. I immediately bought the book and gave it out for Christmas. I sent it to my son who was living in Hawaii at the time. We are all so proud of the men and women to volunteered at the canteen. We are so proud to call ourselves Nebraskans!! thank you for this site, I'll be sending it to all of my family Mary Lou Caruso

Friday 10/01/2004 5:01:02pm
Name:	Karen McDillon
E-Mail:	Karen1121@aol.com
Homepage Title:
Homepage URL:
Where are you from:	Chicago, Ill
Referred By:	Just Surfed In
Comments:	Heard the audio book about North Platt and was moved by the compassion of the people. Once upon a Town (Bob Greene). This was an excellent account of the great story of North Platt complete with interviews from the people who were their. I really enjoyed this story and wanted to know more about it. So I found this site and learned more about this wonderful place. I would love to see pictures of the hotel that was built in that town.

Sunday 09/26/2004 1:42:00pm
Name:	Richard C. Reed
E-Mail:	rcr_scr@hotmail.com
Homepage Title:
Homepage URL:
Where are you from:	Independence, Mo
Referred By:	Search Engine
Comments:	I appreciate learning of the valuable service your community provided for the GI's of World War II. I may have passed thru North Platt at one time or another in my travels to and from an air force assignment, but failed to visit the museum, but wish I had, now that I know about it. This site is great. Keep up the good work.

Wednesday 09/08/2004 4:08:03pm
Name:	Kara Glenn
E-Mail:	karabear06@yahoo.com
Homepage Title:	North Platte Canteen
Homepage URL:
Where are you from:	Mitchell
Referred By:	Search Engine
Comments:	This was a very interesting site. I am trying to write a research paper so all information I can get I would love to have. I am writing my research paper on the North Platte Canteen because my Grandfather went through there on the was to the Army in Europe. Thank you so much, Kara

Thursday 08/19/2004 12:03:26am
Name:	Pam Shelburne
E-Mail:	twochowz@msn.com
Homepage Title:
Homepage URL:
Where are you from:	Brooklyn Indiana
Referred By:	Search Engine
Comments:	Just finished listening to the audio of Bob Greene's book. I am wondering if my dad may have passed through North Platte - if so, he would have played the piano! Any plans for putting the guest logs from the canteen on the internet? There is no longer anyone alive in my family who would know.

Monday 08/16/2004 1:29:24pm
Name:	Pat Harris
E-Mail:	pharris2@neb.rr.com
Homepage Title:
Homepage URL:
Where are you from:	Lincoln, Nebraska
Referred By:	Search Engine
Comments:	Stumbled across this site when looking for photos of the North Platte Canteen. Just saw the ETV documentary of the canteen and it brought back wonderful memories of the UP train station. It was such a shame to see it torn down. It was a beautiful building. I was excited to see a photo of my father, Ed Launer. My sister, Micky, and I have been looking for photos from the canteen as we knew Dad had broadcast from there and Mom (Beth Launer) and Grandma (Anna Launer from Ogallala) had helped prepare and serve food. The family photos have all disappeared and we have been trying to replace them. This is one photo that I can't wait to show my children and grandchildren. I've been gone from North Platte for almost 15 years and to see some familiar faces in the photos and familiar names in the guestbook was really neat. The canteen held a special place in my family's history and this website is just super. Thank you so much for sharing the story with the world.

Monday 08/09/2004 5:38:53pm
Name:	Kristi Thiel
E-Mail:	kristihirsch@hotmail.com
Homepage Title:
Homepage URL:
Where are you from:	Washington DC
Referred By:	Search Engine
Comments:	I am a park ranger at the National Mall (including WWII memorial) and would love to do a talk on the canteen. If anyone with stories could email them to me-it would be so appreciated. Thank you!

Monday 08/09/2004 12:51:25am
Name:	J. E. "Jim" Talbert
E-Mail:	tab626@cox.net
Homepage Title:	U. S. S. LCI National Association
Homepage URL:	http://www.usslci.com
Where are you from:	Council Bluffs, Iowa
Referred By:	Friend
Comments:	I was a US Navy Veteran of WWII and had the distinct pleasure of visiting your wonderful Canteen Seven (7) times in the four years. My wife and I just visited North Platte and viewed the preview of your new documentary of the Canteen. It really brought back old memories.

Thursday 07/01/2004 8:52:55pm
Name:	Ray Dubner
E-Mail:	frog107@aol.com
Homepage Title:
Homepage URL:
Where are you from:	Jamaica, NY
Referred By:	Search Engine
Comments:	I remember fondly my troop train stop at North Platte in March '45 on my way to Seattle to go overseas. The hospitality was so memorable that I often mention to my wife. I now live in Atlanta, GA, but your town was so refreshing to an 19 year old getting to see the world. Thanks again Ray Dubner

Wednesday 06/30/2004 3:07:34pm
Name:	Earl T. Eymil
E-Mail:	eymil@comcast.net
Homepage Title:
Homepage URL:
Where are you from:	Fremont, California
Referred By:	Web Ring
Comments:	The soldier to the right of Daniel Holzhaur holding the coffee cup is my uncle Dan Washburn. He passed away five years ago. I first saw this photo in a Sunday insert paper and recognized him right away. I have the book on the Canteen and keep it next to me on my night stand. Uncle Dan was a great guy and I miss him a lot. Have been trying to find his army personnel record. Can you give me any advice on getting this information. I know he was wounded in France and had to be left behind. He was lucky and was found later by an American army patrol. I would like to know more about his military history. He never spoke of the war and my aunt who still living is in retirement home and can't remember what happened to him during his time serving. Thank You, EARL T. EYMIL

Tuesday 06/29/2004 8:18:35am
Name:	Susan Lyons
E-Mail:	pinkylyons@cs.com
Homepage Title:
Homepage URL:
Where are you from:	Conifer, Colorado (southwest of Denver)
Referred By:	Just Surfed In
Comments:	I am listening to the audio version of Once Upon A Town and was hopeful I'd fine a website about the canteen. Yes, I found it & what a great website it is! You've done a fabulous job, thank you!

Tuesday 06/22/2004 3:54:29pm
Name:	TEENA WILLIAMS
E-Mail:	twilliams@carolina.rr.com
Homepage Title:
Homepage URL:
Where are you from:	Charlotte, NC
Referred By:	Just Surfed In
Comments:	I am reading the book, "Once Upon A Town" by Bob Greene. I just happened upon it and emailed the Chamber of Commerce to say Bravo! They referred me here and told me about the upcoming PBS special. What timing! And what a great story. Your Website helps bring it visual, thanks for sharing!

Monday 06/21/2004 8:58:25pm
Name:	Trudy Breaker
E-Mail:	too-too@charter.net
Homepage Title:
Homepage URL:
Where are you from:	north platte
Referred By:	Just Surfed In
Comments:	A very nice place to look at. I enjoyed it but didn't see a picture of my grandmother Gladys Fredricey.

Wednesday 06/16/2004 4:12:09pm
Name:	Muriel Clark
E-Mail:	murielc@northplattechamber.com
Homepage Title:	North Platte Area Chamber of Commerce
Homepage URL:	http://www.northplattechamber.com
Where are you from:	North Platte
Referred By:	Friend
Comments:	This is an open invitation to anyone who will be in or near North Platte on July 23 and 24, 2004 to attend the premiere of the documentary "The Canteen Spirit" produced by NETV. The documentary tells the story of the North Platte World War II Canteen. On Friday July 23, at 6:00pm there will be a "meet the producers" reception, followed by a showing of the film at 7:00. All of this will be at the Neville Center for the Performing Arts in downtown North Platte. At 9:00 p.m. there will be a Big Band Dance at the Quality Inn and Suites. On Saturday July 24, there will be two showings of the film, at 1:00 and 3:00. The reception and film showings are free of charge. The Big Band Dance is $5.00 per person. The documentary will air on Nebraska Public Television on August 8. For more information, call the North Platte Area Chamber of Commerce at (308) 532-4966.

Saturday 05/29/2004 8:27:55am
Name:	Cliff McInnis
E-Mail:	lavoz3@totcon.com
Homepage Title:
Homepage URL:
Where are you from:	DeLeon Springs, FL
Referred By:	Search Engine
Comments:	Hi I am now reading Bob Greene's wonderful book about the Canteen and all the wonderful things this community did for our troops and our country. It is overwhelming to think of the dedication of all these solid Americans in Nebraska for your contribution to the victory we achieved in that awful war. A lot was done on the home front that has eluded the pages of history and thank you for your attempts to keep it alive. Cliff McInnis DeLeon Springs, FL

Friday 05/28/2004 5:39:40am
Name:	Greg Gauthier
E-Mail:	ggauthie@gremarmetal.com
Homepage Title:
Homepage URL:
Where are you from:
Referred By:	Search Engine
Comments:	By chance I read Bob Greene's book, "Once Upon a Town." Until then I had not heard of the canteen. I was moved to tears of joy for the compassion and generosity shown by the people of your city and region. I hope that same spirit burns today in the heartland of Nebraska. Our country needs your example. God bless you all.

Thursday 05/13/2004 1:35:19pm
Name:	Donna C. Campbell Cook
E-Mail:	Cookie1212@cox.net
Homepage Title:
Homepage URL:
Where are you from:	North Platte, NE,
Referred By:	Web Ring
Comments:	Having been born in North Platte, NE in 1943 and grandfather, father and brother that were employees of the Union Pacific Railroad, The Canteen is especially important to me. I have read Bob Greene's novel about the Canteen and am so impressed with the kindness, humanitarian spirit and general concern for the military servicemen and women that the town and the surrounding communities showed. April 23-26, 2004 my sister, brother and 1st cousins with their offspring celebrated the 90th Birthday of our Aunt Genevieve Eaves. She has lived in North Platte, NE most of her life and has been the piano/organ teacher extraordinaire to many people all over the United States. It was such an enjoyable time to revisit out childhood home located at 203 West 8th Street! The current owners were so gracious to invite us to tour the home and relive our childhood memories. We appreciated their kindness so much. Thank you to William and Louise Crooks! We love North Platte, NE and will return as often and as long as possible to relive these cherished memories.

Wednesday 05/12/2004 10:26:06pm
Name:	Thomas Melcher
E-Mail:	Bozito00@aol.com
Homepage Title:
Homepage URL:
Where are you from:	Chicago
Referred By:	Search Engine
Comments:	I have just spent the better part of a rainy Chicago afternoon in fascination with your North Platte Canteen website. I happened across this site while researching some other sites relating to my dad's world war two experiences. As his generation ages and fade away, my appreciation and pride for them swells. As their days dwindle, I am anxious to learn more about their times and to connect with them. What I found in the story of the North Platte Canteen is the appreciation, pride, love and care the people of North Platte extended to that entire generation of young American servicemen and women (and allies). I found myself becoming quite emotional at the outpouring of love and goodwill from the people on that platform, in that depot to the youngsters who were being sent out to fight that clear-cut war versus evil. I guess I was feeling a deep gratitude to those mothers, housewives, kid sisters , fathers and friends who were looking out for those youngsters as if they were their own. I wish I could thank every one of them. The unity in our country at that time starkly contrasts the divisions we are seeing in today's conflict. Our young generation deserves nothing less than the kind of support North Platte showed our fathers. Thank you for this wonderful website.

Friday 05/07/2004 10:24:19am
Name:	Laura Barnes
E-Mail:	laura.barnes-02@scott.af.mil
Homepage Title:
Homepage URL:
Where are you from:	Scott AFB (originally North Platte)
Referred By:	Just Surfed In
Comments:	I like the layout of the site and since I am originally from North Platte and I'm almost 20 and enlisted in the US Air Force and I enjoy looking back at North Platte's history. Thanks for supporting the military North Platte!!

Friday 02/27/2004 8:21:57am
Name:	Kaitlin
E-Mail:
Homepage Title:
Homepage URL:
Where are you from:	Rochester
Referred By:	Search Engine
Comments:	I think this site is just great. I am currently a student in high school and had just finished the book Once Upon a Town by Bob Greene. This miracle story amazes me. The pictures and personal stories from this site are just sensational. This site does a good job in portraying the towns history with statistics, captions, and music. North Platte will be a town I will never forget, for it has a tremendous amount of courage and kindness. This site is great! -Kaitlin

Thursday 02/26/2004 8:58:23am
Name:	Roderick
E-Mail:	bunnymathers69@yahoo.com
Homepage Title:
Homepage URL:
Where are you from:	Rochester,Minnesota
Referred By:	Search Engine
Comments:	I just finished the book and I thought it was a really cool book. This website is a pretty good website, but I think the book was better. This website has some more information on the Canteen that I didn't know which was cool. I thought the pictures were neat.

Tuesday 02/24/2004 2:36:55pm
Name:	Kathryn Gardner
E-Mail:	kagardner@rochester.k12.mn.us
Homepage Title:
Homepage URL:
Where are you from:	Rochester, Minnesota
Referred By:	Search Engine
Comments:	I am a US History teacher and many of my students are reading Bob Greene's book about the canteen. This is a great book, but an even better story. This website helps to keep the story alive. Thank you!

Sunday 02/22/2004 5:56:35pm
Name:	Don Supalla
E-Mail:	don.supalla@roch.edu
Homepage Title:	Rochester Community & Technical College
Homepage URL:	http://www.roch.edu
Where are you from:	Rochester, Minnesota
Referred By:	Friend
Comments:	Rochester, Minnesota selected Bob Greene's "Once Upon a Town" as our community common read book this year. Author Green just concluded three days of presentations in Rochester recapping his visit to North Platte, telling the North Platte Canteen story, and enticing many of us to learn more about North Platte and the wonderful service you provided. Your Web site is the next best thing to making a trip to North Platte...something that's moved near the top of my list of things to do. God Bless!

Sunday 02/15/2004 7:04:11pm
Name:	Joseph Papalia
E-Mail:	jpap@worldnet.att.net
Homepage Title:
Homepage URL:
Where are you from:	Rockville Centre, New York
Referred By:	Friend
Comments:	What a terrific web site. Most enjoyable. The warmth and caring of all of those people who were involved leaves me with a great sense of respect and admiration.

Friday 02/06/2004 2:58:02pm
Name:	Paul Metro
E-Mail:	Paulie76@aol.com
Homepage Title:
Homepage URL:
Where are you from:	Edison, NJ
Referred By:	Just Surfed In
Comments:	The last time I signed the guestbook was August 2, 2002. I'm pleased to know that you are upgrading the Museum exhibit, because the great work done at the Canteen during WWII should be remembered for along time.

Monday 01/26/2004 1:39:39am
Name:	Madonna Marie Janecek Marman
E-Mail:	Marmani7@aol.com
Homepage Title:
Homepage URL:
Where are you from:	North Platte, and now Palm Desert, CA
Referred By:	Search Engine
Comments:	In 1943, my father, just two weeks before his 30th birthday, was struck and killed by lightning, May 3. We lived on a farm just south of Maxwell. After his death, my mother, sister, and I lived at the tiny telephone office in Maxwell for two years before we move to North Platte, and during those times would often take the train to "the city", for entertainment, shopping, etc. I vividly remember, and so does my sister (we were three and four) being held on the laps of the soldiers on those trains, and later my mother told us that the service men were so happy to see children that they just couldn't get enough of us. We were very precocious and popular! Also, I remember seeing that "sea" of khaki at the beautiful old train station, and how happy the men were to enjoy the warmth and hospitality. Years late, my mother, Beulah Winkler, was president of the North Platte Historical Society. She often mentioned how much a group of people wanted that depot to be preserved, and how broken-hearted they were when Union Pacific practically came in "in the middle of the night" and demolished that gem of the Great Plains!

Tuesday 01/13/2004 8:50:24am
Name:	KARI MCCASKILL
E-Mail:	TRTLELVR@SBCGLOBAL.NET
Homepage Title:
Homepage URL:
Where are you from:	MIDWEST CITY, OKLAHOMA
Referred By:	Search Engine
Comments:	THIS IS A GREAT SIGHT. I AM READING A BOOK CALLED ONCE UPON A TOWN BY BOB GREENE, AND DECIDED TO DO A SEARCH ON THE CANTEEN. THE BOOK IS WONDERFUL AND SO IS THIS SIGHT, IT HELPS TO BRING THE BOOK TO LIFE EVEN MORE.

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Last Update: 03/11/2008
Web Author: Martin Steinbeck
Copyright �2007 by Martin Steinbeck - ALL RIGHTS RESERVED