American Red Cross Canteen Workers in Action RAILROAD SCENE…This group of Red Cross canteen workers is in readiness to serve the next group of soldiers and sailors that comes to their booth windows. They are (left to right) Mrs. Harry F. Irwin, first vice chairman of the canteen committee; Mrs. Richard B. Porter, chairman, and Mrs. Junior Edward Rich. The canteen is located on the platform of the Ogden Union station. (Staff photo.) Red Cross Canteen Serves Many Soldiers at Ogden Union Depot, Writer Finds “Boy, that coffee’s good!” The spokesman…a soldier, Peter Finck of Portsman, N. H. The place… the American Red Cross canteen booth at the Ogden union depot. The time… between trains. The writer… a roving reporter getting side glances on the Red Cross workers. “Strange towns…strange places…strange faces…strange people… strange everything…” He was relishing a cooking along with the coffee. “Then we come here and get this.” He indicated the food. “Gosh, you have no idea how good it tastes… and how swell it makes us feel.” I knew what he was trying to say. That it wasn’t just the coffee and the cakes (they were smelling plenty good too) but it was the feeling of welcome and friendliness that went with them. “We’ve run onto only three of these canteens on our whole trip,” two more of the soldiers remarked. They were Stanley F. Olesefsky, private first class, and Private Mark A. Battles of Langley field, Va. “They were in Omaha, North Platte and here,” They stated, and added that it surely was a help for homesickness. That brought remarks from three others, who stated that they had been in the army long enough now that their homesickness didn’t bother them. “At first we were pretty homesick, but you learn to adjust yourself in the army,” one of them said. By this time there were dozens of them lining up to the windows of the booth to be served. Corporal Wilbur Lain or Orland, Fla., told me in his broad southern accent that he liked the army fine. “A’hm in the photographic depawtment,” he said, “and to shoo’ is fun.” Another was from Las Vegas, Nev…. And three more were about to get a five-day furlough. “That’s why we’re so happy,” they said. “After that we hope we get a swing at the Japs.” “I hope they put me in Tokyo,” Corporal Charles Hatton of Florida said. “What would you do?” I asked. “Anything I could, boy,” he said. “Anything to get this thing over.” Then there was Burle L. Newth of Western, Neb., and Eugene Penick of Chugwater, Wyo. One said he had gained 20 pounds since he joined the army… the other 40… and so it went all through the group. All of them especially expressed their appreciation of the canteen. Of course I was immediately curious to see who was spreading all this good will through the windows of the booth. There I found Mrs. Richard B. Porter, chairman of the canteen committee, Mrs. Harry F. Irwin, first vice chairman; Mrs. Milton H. White, second vice chairman; Mrs. Wallace H. Ellis and Mrs. Junior Edward Rich, canteen aids, working with clock-like precision to take care of the sudden rush of business.” Mrs. Rich was washing dishes and with a contagious little giggle she said, as Mrs. Irwin continued to pile them in the sink, “Does this never end?” “No… it goes on forever.” Consoled Mrs. Irwin, as she piled in a few more. “Let me fill your cup again,” that was the jolly voice of Mrs. Ellis, and after a couple of soldiers had left the window, she turned and said with her characteristic laugh, “One was Scotch and the other English,” and believe me…it was no snack with one of them. He was having his lunch.” Of course, this brought a laugh… and so it was… five happy persons, who were really doing a day’s job, taking care of all the serving and what was to be done… and enjoying it to the utmost. “Isn’t it thrilling work?” Mrs. Porter said. “We have served 6500 men since the opening of the canteen, March 25. We keep the canteen open 15 hours a day and there are certain groups assigned for each day, as well as a captain,” she “The work is inspiring and our force seems to be so interested in it,” she continued. “We are convinced that it is a worthwhile work and are assured by the boys who visit us here, that they appreciate our hospitality. We always try to make them feel welcome and do any small personal service for them that we can. “We are especially grateful to all those who were instrumental in getting the canteen for us…the railroad, Mr. E. G. Bennett, secretary of the Weber county Red Cross, the merchants for their part in equipping it and to everyone who is donating her time both in serving and making cookies and supplies.” Just then Mrs. White interrupted, “Oh, yes, we mended a soldier’s shirt for him and he wrote us the nicest letter.” This was followed by Mrs. Irwin saying, “and another man hurt his leg and we dressed it for him.” Mrs. Porter then informed me that in addition to those who took the canteen course…assistance in serving was being given by a number of graduates of the Red Cross nutrition courses. Mrs. Irwin stated, “We have every type of organization represented in this work. Churches, wards, women’s clubs and many who belong to no organizations, are aiding in this canteen work,” she said. “We just can’t say enough to make the women realize what a wonderful thing they are doing to bake these cookies for us,” she continued. “We had a thousand soldiers to serve one day, and we ran out of cookies. We bought all we could and then didn’t know what to do until one of our workers went home and mixed up enough cookies to save the day, and we baked them in our own electric oven and served them hot. And did those soldiers like them!” Just then Mrs. Rich said, “Well, the rush is over.” “Yes,” said Mrs. Ellis,” now we can get ready for another one.” And so it went…little bits of banter mixed with the seriousness of doing their bit. “We have quite a few women assisting us who have sons in the army or navy and I often see them slyly wipe away a tear when they have finished serving the boys. And then,” she continued, “It’s nice to mother them. One boy asked us to mend something for him, and I know all he really wanted was a little mothering.” Before leaving the booth I learned that they had served soldiers from Ireland, New Zealand, Pearl Harbor, Wake Island, England, Scotland, Wales, as well as from all over the United States. Some had been shell-shocked, others were spending their honeymoons without their brides…some were sad…some happy…others homesick… and the canteeners admitted that they had indeed learned a great deal about life during their service so far. Really, after spending an hour with these sincere workers…this reporter wished she could be a canteener too. Many articles, such as cigarets, razor blades, tooth paste, shaving cream and tobacco are donated to the canteen and these articles bring a smile indeed to the faces of the soldiers. Among those assisting in the canteen work are: Captains, Mrs. J. G. Leonard, Mrs. Milton H. White, Mrs. W. I. Barton, Mrs. George H. Lowe, Mrs. L. T. Dee, Mrs. W. B. Kerr and Mrs. Chester Christensen; members, Mrs. Joseph Stewart Allen, Mrs. Maruice F. Abbott, Mrs. Frank C. Brown, Mrs. S. N. Buckner, Mrs. E. A. Brookhart, Mrs. W. I. Barton, Mrs. Val A. Browning, Mrs. G. J. Carroll, Mrs. Lynn B. Cornish, Miss Margaret Corless, Miss Dominica Coletti, Mrs. Chester Christensen, Mrs. Clifford Cave, Mrs. O. D. Cortner, Mrs. James H. DeVine, Mrs. L. T. Dee, Mrs. Lawrense H. Evans, Mrs. R. E. Edens, Mrs. George S. Eccles, Mrs. Spencer S. Eccles, Mrs. Wallace H. Ellis, Mrs. W. C. Ewing, Mrs. J. S. Fruin, Mrs. J. Francis Cowles, Mrs. E. J. Fjeldsted, Mrs. R. C. Glasmann, Mrs. C. R. Green, Mrs. J. F. Gibbons, Miss Myrta Hales, Mrs. Heber J. Heiner, Mrs. J. Hedenstrom, Mrs. Afton Hanson, Myrs. Harry Hurchinson, Mrs. E. J. Howard, Mrs. Harry F. Irwin, Mrs. W. B. Kerr, Mrs. Gerard Klomp, Mrs. Fred A. Kuhlmann, Mrs. F. C. Koziol, Mrs. J. G. Leonard, Mrs. W. H. Loos, Mrs. George H. Lowe, Mrs. Lesher, Mrs. S. F. Mathies, Mrs. R. B. Porter, Mrs. E. V. Parker, Mrs. C. P. Parrish, Mrs. R. John Perry, Mrs. J. W. Randall, Mrs. Junior Edward Rich, Mrs. Parley C Richardson, Mrs. Porter T. Robbins, Mrs. G. B. Seaton, Mrs. Fred W. Smith, Mrs. C. H. Stevens, Mrs. J. N. Spargo, Mrs. W. P. Stephens, Miss Helen Stevens, Mrs. R. J. Spain, Mrs. A. J. Schott, Mrs. Roy C. Tribe, Mrs. Milton H. White, Mrs. A. E. Wilfong, Mrs. Blanch L. Wrigglesworth; instructors, Miss Wanda Mathews, Miss Kathleen Mumm, Mrs. Louise Redford, Miss Katherine B. Ebert, Mrs. Lydia H. Tanner, Miss Edna Shelley.