Posted on 12/12/2011 1:18:33 PM PST by US Navy Vet
The face of a homesick soldier was sure to brighten when the troop train pulled into a Nebraska station. Volunteers came out in force to make Americans in uniform feel appreciated during World War II.
United Service Organizations centers were set up across the Omaha area, including Union Station, north Omaha, South Omaha and Bellevue, to boost morale.
And another network of 21 community groups took turns staffing the railroad station's Service Men's Center and greeting, feeding and entertaining the troops.
(Excerpt) Read more at omaha.com ...
But not for everyone.
Except for that whole Jim Crow thing.
I'm sorry, I must stand up for those who made me welcome when I returned from Iraq. The flight was Baghdad to Qatar to Rhein-Main to BWI to Atlanta to home. The USO workers at Rhein-Main that opened the cantina when we arrived late at Oh-dark thirty... Thank you. The USO workers at BWI who got me a sandwich and woke me so I didn't miss my flight to Atlanta... Thank you. The pilot who asked the rest of the passengers to remain seated so I and several other GI's returning from the Middle East could de-plane first... Thank You. The Gentleman who picked up my tab at the Atlanta airport restaurant (retired GI)... Thank you. And most importantly my family, who waited two extra hours because my plane was late, thank you is not enough.
There are many people out there who still support the GI, but they don't advertise what they do. It didn't go unnoticed by this GI, and I will always be grateful.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.