Scott D. Trostel

The cover proclaims this story "the most outstanding humanitarian effort ever" and that is possibly true after reading this account of the home front during World War II and the effort that was put in to helping soldiers traveling by train around the country.

The author devoted chapters to various canteens from Pennsylvania through the midwest, and explained how they were founded and the efforts it took to keep them running, many non-stop, to provide food, magazines, writing paper and on occasion phone service to service men traveling between assignments or on leave. The women found out that service men on leave were only given passage on the train; if they were traveling for several days it was often without food because they had no money and were not provided with food vouchers by the service. The mostly female volunteers collected food, ration coupons, money, magazines, paper etc. and handed them out to every train that passed through FOR FREE. They even provided this service to German POWs because they wanted to help someone else's son.

Although the book could have done with a good editing, the sentiment is there. It gives you an understanding of the sacrifice of everyone involved and makes you proud of the volunteers that worked days on end to make this happen.… (more)