October 1-5, 1945, on board the troop train from Florida to California
Dear Kay, We left Camp Blanding at 5 p.m. yesterday on a troop train - we just ate breakfast at Atlanta, GA and had a few minutes to walk around. We are going to Birmingham and St. Louis. It's a lot colder now than it was. I'll write again later. Love to Keith and all of you, Hall
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Monday night, 9:30
Dear Andy, We have reached Memphis, Tenn, came through Georgia, Miss, - will get into St. Louis 7:30 in the morning. I am tired of riding already. It's very crowded and rough riding, nothing much to see, but I hope for new scenery tomorrow. I wish you could be here with me for company - no one I know here. Love - Hall
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Tuesday morning, 6 a.m.
Dear Aunt D. We are in St. Louis now, but I haven't a chance to get off train yet. It is really a big place and really cold - we nearly froze last night. It's nice to get out of the South. We got off of train for a few minutes. They have a very large station. It's almost freezing. Love - Hall
Tuesday afternoon
Dear Kay, There are 2000 troops on this train and this is just a small train that never saw so many soldiers before. Engine trouble has delayed us - the store keepers are doing a rushing business. We won't hit Kansas City Missouri till 8 p.m. tonight and will ride all night in Kansas. Kiss Keith for me. How is his foot?
Love - Hall
Wednesday morning, 10 a.m.
Dear Kay, We just reached here. Love, Hall
Editor's note: Though this postcard contains just a few words of greeting to Hall's sister Catherine, the postmark of "Hastings Nebraska" provides a possible clue to the brevity.
For thousands of WWII era soldiers, Hastings Nebraska was a remarkable stop on the troop trains that crossed the United States. There, the North Platte Canteen was located in the Union Pacific Railroad Station and operated by volunteers from local communities. The caring townspeople distributed coffee, milk, sandwiches, fruit, cakes, candy, cigarettes and magazines to the men and women on the trains. From Christmas Day 1941 through April 1, 1946, the volunteers met every troop train that came through town, extending their hospitality and good cheer to six million service men and women.
Postmark October 3, 2:50 p.m. Hastings Nebraska
Dear Andy, This is lovely farm land out here - just as level as a dime. The towns are few and far between. We are in Nebraska now. Love - Hall
Postmark October 4
4 p.m.
Dear Linda, I thought you would like this card. We just hit Colorado and are now back up in Nebraska at Sidney. The people and houses are few and far between out here. Love, Uncle Hall
Editor's note: I was curious about the geography of the train route and discovered that Sidney Nebraska is located in the notch of Nebraska just north of Colorado. Going from east to west, the train tracks went from Southern Nebraska through the northeast corner of Colorado to the northwestern corner Nebraska.
Dear Kay, We just pulled into Cheyenne and have 20 minutes. It's a nice place and capital of Wyoming. We will hit Salt Lake City tomorrow. Love - Hall
Dear Kay, We just crossed the border into California, went through Reno. It's nice to see trees again.
Love - Hall
Dear Kay, I didn't see this - but went through a lot of country just like it. It's beautiful when the sun is coming up - 3 miles high in places. Lots of tunnels. Love - Hall
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Friday 8 a.m.
Dear Andy, I have to write when the train is stopped - so can't write much. The meals are lousy and hard to eat on the train. We have to walk through 20 cars with coffee in one hand and a plate in the other. We don't end up with much. Love - Hall
Postmark Oroville, California, October 5, 1945
Friday 8 a.m.
Dear Linda, Well at last we have reached California and I am sure glad. I am going to stay off trains after I get home and just travel by car. I'll bring you home something when I can. Love, Uncle Hall