As the 50th anniversary observances of World War II events came and went, the eminence of North Platte’s “prairie oasis” continued to stir the conscience of veteran and patriot alike. As instance:
- The official
1987 Union Pacific Railroad Christmas Card featured a winter scene of the canteen as painted by UP official
John Bromley. A poster print of the same was also
issued.
- The discovery of stories continued. Living only 42 miles from North Platte, not until 1988 did John Zgud discover that he and fellow members of a B-24 Army Air Force crew, who went on to fly 30 missions over Germany, were the ones pictured dashing
from the canteen in the photo on the ALL ABOARD! page.
- A 1991 nationally-syndicated television-program featured the canteen story and keepers of the memory like Doris Dotson. The gal with the insignia-covered coat (see
Preserving the Memories) now operates a North Platte
tavern plastered with photos of local service veterans.
- An old legacy for a new cause was invoked when North Platte area citizens organized “Operation Canteen” in October 1990 in order to ship free necessities and food items to personnel serving in the Persian Gulf conflict. At least one package was
received by a serviceman whose father had received the North Platte hospitality of World War II.
- And the appreciation goes on. Veterans have continued to stop in North Platte, or to write, expressing their appreciation and/or giving unsolicited monetary donations. In response to a July 1992 column by nationally-syndicated columnist Bob Greene
about the canteen, the Lincoln County Historical Museum received more than $5,000 in donations from around the country for use towards improving the canteen exhibit.
More of the women of the canteen years, Like Edna Neid and Rose Loncar, have been called away since the first edition of this booklet was published. To all of them, and to what persists of their endeavor, this edition is belatedly
dedicated.
The map at right shows the location of the Lincoln County
Historical Society Museum in North Platte, which houses the exhibits
pertaining to the canteen. Map courtesy of the LCHS Museum.
Canteen Update
