North Platte Canteen Memories

This is a short video I made yesterday at the Lincoln County Historical Museum Heritage Festival. Even hearing short snippets of the North Platte Canteen stories can give me goosebumps.

You'll be able to find out a lot more about the North Platte Canteen at this year's North Platte Rail Fest.

The North Platte Community Playhouse will host "The Canteen Spirit Experience".

The North Platte Community Playhouse will present the “Canteen Spirit Experience,” in conjunction with the Original Town Association and Railfest 2011 in North Platte, NE.

During the “Canteen Spirit Experience,” patrons will be treated to a viewing of the “Canteen Spirit” film, a panel discussion with former North Platte Canteen volunteers and soldiers, vendors and an authentic Canteen meal, all taking place in the historic North Platte Community Playhouse at the Neville Center for the Performing Arts.

Also during Rail Fest, the North Platte Public Library Foundation will host the "Canteen Memories" Cemetery Tour.

Canteen Memories is the title of this year's cemetery tour hosted by the North Platte Public Library Foundation. The tour will pay tribute to World War II soldiers and the women who volunteered to help with the Canteen effort.

"It's the 70th anniversary of the Canteen, so that's primarily why we chose that theme," said Kaycee Anderson, library researcher. "But, we also wanted to honor the men who lost their lives, not just the women who served. All the soldiers featured were North Platte boys, and all died in action."

Each will be portrayed by local actors and actresses who will dress in costumes from the period and deliver 10 to 15-minute performances while standing next to the headstones of the characters they represent. (Courtesy of the North Platte Telegraph)

Spend some time in North Platte this year during Rail Fest and you'll fall in love with this heartwarming story.