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An item in today's Sioux City Journal, "GI's Still Remember North Platte Canteen" drew my attention. This article refers to the many meals served to World War 2 Service-men by the ladies at North Platte. Now please permit me to go back 58 years to the time immediately after Nov. 11, 1918.
I am a World War I veteran and on Jan 15, 1919, I received my discharge from the U.S. Navy at San Francisco. On Jan 17, 1919 I with many other service men were on the UP train( I was going back to my farm home near Maurice, Iowa) when we stopped at North Platte (about 15 minutes as I recall) there was a group of ladies at the depot who served us sandwiches and coffee and gave us fruit and cigarettes. I am sure we thanked these ladies but if you know any of the ladies who might have been there in Jan. 1919, please thank them again.
There is another reason why North Platte means a lot to me. It was the home of my Navy Buddy, Francis Vincent Roddy who after he married, lived at 621-West "B" St. in North Platte until he died in Nov. 1975.
"Vince" and his family and my family met twice during these years and always exchanged Christmas Greetings. Christmas 1975 his widow Pauline informed me of his death. If you know Pauline, please say Hello for my wife and I.
Thank you for your service to your country and your fellow men. May God Bless America but may we as Americans also be worthy of His favors.