Autumn Author Talk: Dr. Eric Groce and The Canteen: Sacrifice and Community during WWII

Join us for our final Autumn Author Talk of 2025! Dr. Eric Groce brings to the museum his book, The Canteen: Sacrifice and Community during WWII on Thursday, November 13th at 6:30pm. Dr. Groce will be available for book signings from 5pm to 6pm!

Starting Christmas Day, 1941, when transport trains on the Union Pacific Railroad stopped in North Platte to refill their water tanks, the local families of North Platte, Nebraska, came together to provide love, support, food, and morale to young soldiers involved in World War II―black and white―who briefly passed through their town. Troops poured into the North Platte Depot, The Canteen, to find homecooked meals, birthday cakes, hot coffee, cold milk, magazines, postcards, and the warmth of a grateful and loving community. The stops lasted only ten minutes, but the people of North Platte made sure that everyone in their midst was taken care of. This remarkable story will inspire readers of all ages, as The Canteen nourishes all who have the privilege to visit.

This event is free and open to the public, just RSVP to save your seat at https://fareharbor.com/embeds/book/uprrmuseum/items/667704/calendar/2025/09/?full-items=yes

You may also like the following events from Union Pacific Museum:

• Next Friday, 31st October, 11:00 am, Trick or Treat the MuseumS in Council Bluffs

Also check out other Arts events in Council Bluffs, Literary Art events in Council Bluffs.