This bill awards a Congressional Gold Medal to the volunteers and communities of the North Platte Canteen for their service to U.S. troops during World War II.
Deb Fischer
Senator
NE
The North Platte Canteen Congressional Gold Medal Act authorizes the Speaker of the House and the President pro tempore of the Senate to present a Congressional Gold Medal to the individuals and communities who volunteered or donated to the North Platte Canteen during World War II. After the presentation, the medal will be given to the Lincoln County Historical Museum in North Platte, Nebraska, for public display. The Secretary of the Treasury is responsible for creating the gold medal, and the United States Mint is authorized to produce and sell bronze duplicates.
Congress Greenlights Gold Medal for WWII North Platte Canteen Volunteers: Recognition for 'Home-Front Heroes'
The North Platte Canteen Congressional Gold Medal Act officially recognizes the massive volunteer effort that supported millions of troops during World War II. From December 1941 to April 1946, the North Platte Canteen, staffed by around 55,000 volunteers from 125 communities, served roughly 6 million troops passing through Nebraska. This bill awards a Congressional Gold Medal to honor those volunteers and communities.
Feeding the Front Lines
This act acknowledges the incredible scale of the North Platte Canteen's operation. Located at the Union Pacific Railroad station, it became a vital hub for boosting troop morale. Volunteers, mostly women, worked tirelessly, sometimes serving up to 24 trains a day. The sheer volume of food prepared is staggering: in a single month, they served over 40,000 cookies, 30,000 eggs, and 6,500 doughnuts, among other items (SEC. 2). All of this was accomplished without federal funding, relying entirely on donations and local support (SEC. 2).
Minting History
The bill authorizes the Speaker of the House and the President pro tempore of the Senate to present the gold medal, which will then be displayed at the Lincoln County Historical Museum in North Platte (SEC. 3). Think of it as a permanent 'thank you' note, placed where everyone can see it. The U.S. Treasury will design the medal, and the U.S. Mint can produce bronze duplicates for sale to the public (SEC. 4). Proceeds from these sales go back into the Mint's Public Enterprise Fund, essentially making the project self-sustaining (SEC. 6). These aren't just souvenirs; they're officially designated as national medals and numismatic items (SEC. 5).
Beyond the Medal
While the medal itself is symbolic, the Act underscores a larger point about the importance of the home front during WWII. The North Platte Canteen was just one of about 120 such canteens nationwide, but it represents a powerful example of community-driven support. The bill highlights that this effort was crucial to the war's success (SEC. 2). It's a reminder that everyday acts of kindness, multiplied across a community, can have a huge impact. The fact that Congress previously recognized the Canteen's efforts back in 2004 (SEC. 2) shows this isn't just a recent idea – it's a long-overdue recognition of a truly remarkable wartime achievement.