ALL ABOARD!
ALL ABOARD! These time-honored words of railroading made for a daily sight at the canteen as service personnel made a quick dash out the canteen doors and for their departing train. There were occasional instances in which hapless servicemen were left behind (some because they had chosen to sneak across Front Street to sample slightly stronger refreshments at local bars).Warnings of imminent departure, initially done only by the traditional conductor's yell, was enhanced in 1944 by installation of a public address system inside the canteen over which train departures could be announced. The loudspeaker was also used to deliver a final cheery message to the service personnel; lingering words such as “God bless and keep you, good-bye, and hurry back.”
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