Reps. Adrian Smith (R-NE) and Don Bacon (R-NE) introduced legislation to award the Congressional Gold Medal to the individuals and communities who volunteered or donated food and other items to the North Platte Canteen in North Platte, NE during World War II. One of the largest volunteer efforts of WWII, historical documents show 38 counties in Nebraska, two in Colorado, and 55,000 volunteers contributed to the Canteen’s service to more than 6 million U.S. servicemembers traveling across the country by rail between Christmas Day, 1941 to April 1, 1946.
The members released the following statements:
“The North Platte Canteen is what Nebraska’s support for our troops is all about. The community’s extraordinary volunteer effort during World War II showed Nebraska at its best,” said Smith. “I thank Sen. Fischer for her work on the Senate version of this legislation. This great American story of patriotic generosity in the midst of wartime shortages and rationing deserves to be remembered and honored.” “During World War II, 55,000 Nebraskans showed their patriotism and love for this country by volunteering time and donating food to the North Platte Canteen, which in turn served millions of soldiers,” said Bacon. “As a veteran, I know how much those soldiers appreciated the acts of kindness exhibited to them and I am honored to join this movement to recognize their work.” Smith has previously commemorated the North Platte Canteen as part of a 2008 resolution recognizing North Platte as “Rail Town USA” and the June 2018 revival of the Canteen in a speech on the House floor. Earlier this year, Senator Deb Fischer (R-NE) introduced a Senate version of this legislation. Read more about Sen. Fischer’s bill here.
