Once Upon a Town audiobook

"Once Upon a Town" is the true story of the North Platte Canteen. What is that? Well, on December 25, 1941, just 18 days after Pearl Harbor, the women of North Platte realized that many troop trains were stopping through their Nebraska town crossing over to the Pacific side of the U.S. They decided to meet the servicemen on the trains for Christmas, because it was supposed to be Nebraska boys. It turned out to be Kansas servicemen, but it didn't matter, they gave them all of their Christmas gifts and food anyway. They promptly decided that it was their responsibility to meet EVERY train at the depot, and for the next five years, at the rate of about 10-15 trains a day, they met and fed every serviceman that traveled through North Platte. Every one. Millions of soldiers. Many remember their brief 10-minute stop in North Platte to this day, and Bob Greene's book tells their story, and the story of those women who remember working in the Canteen. This book touched me in so many ways, that I am still wondering how Bob Greene managed to write such a wonderful book. This isn't just a story about World War II. It's a story about America, and what it was like on the home front for so many American women, and frankly, what it means to be American in the first place.In our muddy situation in Iraq, it was a breath of fresh air to listen to a different generation talk about the genuine responsibility they felt to the world, because they could do something to stop Hitler, and the Japanese advance, and they felt it was their obligation to do it. It is not enough in our day and age to say, "This is wrong, and we can stop it." Things get more complex, and it was wonderful to visit a time, even for a short while, when things were much more simple. The servicemen would cry when they talked about the Canteen, and what it meant to them. That short 10 minute period in their lives could bring tears to their eyes sixty years later. It brought plenty to mine too. The pure goodness and graciousness of the people of the North Platte area, and the sacrifices they made to make sure that those servicemen knew they were appreciated, and that they went to war knowing what they were fighting for, made an impact on the soldiers that gave them courage in times of doubt. One man commented that when they were sitting in foxholes in the South Pacific, they would talk about the delicious food and warm feelings they had for North Platte. It sustained them in their darkest hours. I was so proud to be an American, and a Mid-Western American at that, for the past few weeks, while reading this book. It is not often, in our busy lives, that one gets a chance to stop and think about patriotism, this book gave me the opportunity, and I relished every minute.

What a heart warming book this is! This is the story of North Platte, Nebraska during World War II. Troop trains enroute to their ultimate destinations in Europe and the Pacific pass through this small community daily. Every day of the year, every day of the war, the people who live there ban together to form the North Platte Canteen where homemade food, entertainment, and recognition is given to soldiers during their brief stop. Staffed and funded entirely by volunteers, by the end of the war, these people have served over 6 million soldiers and have done so by donating their own rationed food supplies and by manning the Canteen from 5:00 A.M. to midnight for over four years, never missing a day. This is written by Bob Greene, who is a reporter, and the book is written in the style of a reporter. It is full of letters, interviews, pictures, stories, and historical facts. As I read the book, I was very moved by the kindess and sacrifice of these people. Reading this book made me want to be a better person. I thoroughly enjoyed it.

The North Platte Canteen: who knew it ever existed? This is nice feel-good nonfiction about a remarkable group of ladies who brought their small community together for the servicemen in WWII. Somewhat repetitious but a true account that is uplifting and optimistic. Journalist Bob Greene tells an interesting story showing the extraordinary patriotism of the times. Favorite tongue-in-cheek quote: “The interstates were meant to be the national bypass-the way to avoid taking things slow, to avoid looking the old America in the eye. They were a federally funded averted glance."

Amazing! This was something I was completely clueless of. I had no idea what soldiers went through in the US before being shipped off to Europe, the Pacific or else where during WW2. I'm astounded by the sacrifice this community in Nebraska gave. It was a time when Americans were truely proud of their country and showed it through respect by giving their time resources and service to others. And in a time with rationing and all together a lot less. Some farm houses didn't even have electricity yet. Reading about the love these people showed and gave to "America's sons", is something I can't fathom in today's society. I found myself tearing up and even crying at times in several parts of this book. It's an impressive patriotic part of US history. A MUST read!It would be fun to see it turned into a mini series movie or something like that.

America in all her glory....when people truly cared for each other.

Heartwarming, sad, and beautiful. This collection of perspectives surrounding the beloved train depot/ North Platte Canteen during WWII is something greater than one person’s story. It’s America’s story of the Nebraskan’s generous and patriotic servitude towards our soldiers. Six million troops passed through the Canteen and received food & supplies consisting of cakes, sandwiches, eggs, cigarettes, candy, magazines, milk, popcorn balls, and much more. But most of all, they were shown love & kindness. This was no government-funded program, but rather a massive volunteer effort by mothers & daughters started by Rae Wilson. And it was an accident! Stories like Rosalie’s early mornings serving the first troops of the day, Ethel and Virgil’s love letter beginnings & marriage, a B-17 crashing in a cornfield, Jack catching just a moment of touching his dad’s hand while the train passed near Kearney, and Donald finding his cousin as a soldier stepping off the train while selling newspapers...these stories hit home for me as a proud Nebraskan. I teared up reading the hardships/joy these people experienced during such a trying time. Not only did they serve our troops, but they also sacrificed their own money/resources while gov. rations were taking place. Elaine was the mother of a boy who died during the war. She continued serving at the Canteen saying to the others: “I can’t help my son, but I can help someone else’s son.” Soldiers recollecting their brief time in North Platte was sobering as well. Many of them (years later) would break down crying trying to tell of the kindness they were shown at the Canteen during such a dark time. They would even reminisce while overseas with other soldiers about the bounty they enjoyed in North Platte. Can you believe North Platte’s Canteen was their cherished memory while fighting in Europe? This book reflects the American spirit of unity, generosity, servitude, perseverance, sacrifice, love and joy. A story that should not be forgotten. Honorable mention: I want to thank my Grandpa for giving me this book. I also want to give a special shout out to Hastings (my home town), which was also mentioned in the book as a temporary living place for one of the volunteers.

Although I didn't find this book particularly well written, it is a book I would suggest to every friend. I think that it is a book that reminds the reader who we - many of the world's citizenry - once were. It is a story of sacrifice, of patriotism, of loving kindness. It is also a story of the tremendous difference individuals can make in the life/lives of others. I have already recommended the book and have begun the process of sharing my copy with as many friends as I am able.

“Wars are about love.” Wow. You want to really feel good about America and believe in what she can do, read this.

3.5 This was a very heartwarming story about the North Platte Canteen that ran for the duration of WWII on the plains of Nebraska. I have driven by North Platte multiple times and read a plethora of WWII books, so I was surprised I had never heard of this before. It was truly inspiring to read how so many communities came together to give the soldiers on the troop trains a little piece of home in the 10 or 20 minutes they stopped in North Platte. All in all these volunteers served over 6 million people during the war. I love it! I think this is a worthwhile story for everyone to be aware of, but the book does start to feel a little long at places and the writing style was not my favorite. Of course you’ll miss a lot of the memories, but one can get the gist of what the Canteen accomplished by watching a 6 minute video on YouTube. Still though, I am glad I read this.

So interesting! My dad recommended this book to me and it was worth the read. An interesting piece of history.

Not sure why I had not read this book yet. But it is inspiring for out current times in America. We can be a united America if we want to be.

If you ever find yourself losing faith in humanity, this story is a great reminder that there is truly a goodness in people. During a time when everyone was scrimping and saving and making do, the people of North Platte and the surrounding areas did whatever they could to provide the soldiers that were passing through their humble town with a homecooked meal, a few moments of entertainment, and a whole lot of kindness. Despite the rationing of supplies, and the shortage of money, these people always found a way to keep the North Platte Canteen up and running and over the years managed to serve millions and millions of soldiers. And even though these soldiers were only able to stop in their town for a few brief moments, the love they were shown truly impacted their lives. This is a great reminder that a little kindness can go a long way, and we may never know just how long that way can really be.

Unbelievable True Story of a Truly Patriotic CityWow!. What an incredible story. I had never heard of the Canteen in North Platte, Nebraska, but now I want to tell everyone about it!. What the residents did during WWII is absolutely inspiring. The sacrifices the citizens of North Platte and surrounding communities made to show their love and appreciation for American service members is beyond comparison. I've never heard of anything like this. The Canteen had a lasting impact on the millions of service members who went through the railway depot there, even though their stay was so brief. This was patriotism at its grass roots finest. An inspiring story showing the kindness of a small town in the Midwest. Oh, yes, I'm glad I read this account of North Platte Nebraska. Thank you for what you did during WWII!