Office of U.S. Senator Deb Fischer
WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Deb Fischer (R-Neb.) and U.S. Representative Adrian Smith (NE-03) led their Nebraska colleagues in reintroducing the North Platte Canteen Congressional Gold Medal Act.
The bill would award the Congressional Gold Medal to the collective individuals and communities who volunteered or donated food and other items to the North Platte Canteen in North Platte, Nebraska, during World War II. U.S. Senator Pete Ricketts (R-Neb.) is an original cosponsor of the Senate legislation. U.S. Representatives Don Bacon (NE-02), and Mike Flood (NE-01) are original cosponsors of the House legislation.
“During the world’s darkest time, a host of patriotic Nebraskans volunteered to give our service members a taste of home and of hope at the North Platte Canteen. Those volunteers included my own mother, Florence. I’m proud to reintroduce this legislation, which will honor the Nebraskans who ran the North Platte Canteen for nearly five years during World War II,” said Senator Fischer.
“For four and a half years, the North Platte Canteen gave a sense of home to more than 6 million American troops traversing the country by train to serve in the Second World War. Volunteers from Nebraska communities came from as much as 200 miles away to lend a hand and provide meals, refreshments, and baked goods to up to 5,000 soldiers per day at the Canteen’s peak. This bill will honor this monumental patriotic effort as a great moment in American history. I thank Sen. Fischer for bringing legislation in the Senate and the entire delegation for supporting its introduction,” said Congressman Smith.“The North Platte Canteen is an excellent example of Nebraska’s tradition of patriotism. Our nation needs to be inspired by stories of service now more than ever. This bill will give these volunteers the recognition they deserve,” said Senator Ricketts.
“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. 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,” said Congressman Bacon.“The North Platte Canteen has long been remembered as a symbol of Nebraska’s patriotism and our state’s love for our country’s Armed Forces. This measure is a salute to the people and communities who supported the canteen, and I look forward to working with my colleagues towards awarding them a Congressional Gold Medal as a token of our appreciation,” Congressman Flood.
“The Nebraska American Legion is proud to endorse Senator Fischer’s bill regarding the North Platte canteen and its many volunteers that served the greatest generation going into battle. For many years, trains carrying our GI’s across America would stop in North Platte to allow railroad workers a short time to perform whatever maintenance was required on the train and get it ready for its next journey. The good people of North Platte took advantage of this opportunity and would provide refreshments to the GI’s during the brief stop. These volunteers demonstrated first-hand the patriotic spirit of Nebraskans and our tremendous Nebraska hospitality,” said Nebraska American Legion Department Adjutant Dave Salak.“We appreciate Senator Deb Fischer’s leadership on the effort to award the Congressional Gold Medal to the those who supported the North Platte Canteen. From Christmas Day of 1941 throughout World War II, 55,000 Nebraska women volunteered to provide refreshments and support to nearly seven million American servicemen who passed by rail through North Platte, Nebraska. Stopping by the North Platte Station, many times only for a few minutes, receiving a sandwich, a slice of pie or a cup of coffee, in their route across the country, allowed Nebraska to show their appreciation and support. To recognize the effort of these Nebraskans by awarding them the Congressional Gold Medal is incredibly fitting and perfect timing. Nebraska mobilized 144,000 servicemembers during the second World War,” said Nebraska Department of Veterans’ Affairs Director John Hilgert.
“We are recognizing their service on this 80th anniversary of the victory in World War II by presenting them each with a medal and ribbon especially minted by the State of Nebraska’s Department of Veterans Affairs. To recognize the outstanding effort of those who served on the home front through the efforts made at the North Platte Canteen is only fitting. From the home front to the battle front, Nebraska gave her all for victory. Awarding the Congressional Gold Medal to the effort is not simply a remembrance but rather it is a lesson for generations to come. A lesson of sacrifice, teamwork, and dedication to mission. As Nebraska’s Governor Jim Pillen often says, “Together we can!”
“The Friends of the National World War II Memorial proudly endorses the North Platte Canteen Congressional Gold Medal Act. We commend Senator Fischer for championing this important legislation to recognize the extraordinary volunteers who selflessly served at the North Platte Canteen during World War II. Through their dedication, these volunteers provided warmth, nourishment, and encouragement to more than six million American service members traveling to the European and Pacific theaters. Their efforts embodied the spirit of the Greatest Generation—whose sacrifices, both on and off the battlefield, helped secure victory over tyranny. Honoring the North Platte Canteen volunteers with the Congressional Gold Medal is a long-overdue tribute to their remarkable service and enduring legacy,” said Friends of the National World War II Memorial Executive Director Holly Rotondi.
“The volunteers of the North Platte Canteen embodied the true Spirit of American patriotism not through combat, but through kindness. In the darkest days of World War II, they turned a small Nebraska train depot into a beacon of hope, serving over six million soldiers with warmth, gratitude and unwavering support. Their selfless dedication to the troops, many of whom were mere teenagers heading to the front lines, exemplifies the highest ideals of service and sacrifice. Honoring them with a Congressional gold medal is not just a recognition of their deeds, but a tribute to the power of unity, generosity, and the American spirit,” said North Platte Mayor Brandon Kelliher. "During the horrors of World War II something amazing happened. Out of the upheaval of war a group of ladies began an effort that would forever affect the lives of six million service personnel. Beginning with a handful of ladies and growing to 55,000 volunteers, the North Platte Canteen became a home away from home for so many young men and women travelling to and from war. These volunteers served food but more importantly they brought love to a group of young people far from home and headed to far away places that they might never return from. Many were returning from experiences most can never imagine. This love (and food) left an indelible mark on all those that experienced it. It was simply America at its best,” said Lincoln County Historical Museum Director and Curator James Griffin.
More information:
The North Platte Canteen was a railroad stop in North Platte, Nebraska, that was recognized during World War II for providing hospitality to soldiers traveling through the area. An estimated 55,000 people from 125 communities throughout Nebraska, Colorado, and Kansas contributed food, money, or time to serve the Canteen’s estimated 6 million visitors.
The North Platte Canteen operated from Christmas Day, 1941 to April 1, 1946. It was the largest community-based canteen in the U.S. and one of the largest volunteer efforts during World War II.
Read the full text of the bill here.
Read more about the North Platte Canteen here.