The American Red Cross maintained a canteen in Kansas City at 1021 McGee Street during World War II. The facility was used by soldiers and sailors on leave from duty, or passing through the city to military bases in the U.S. or overseas.Many of the young servicemen who enjoyed the hospitality of the canteen, the hot drinks, the fellowship, the dances with young local girls as partners, and the many canteen accommodations, dropped postcards of appreciation after leaving the city. Some kept in touch even after arriving overseas. Mrs. Marie Waldrip Rowland (later Mrs. John H. Stinson of Mission) received many such postcards, and shared this one, and others, with the writer. So we'll meet again reads the caption and Buy More War Bonds. The card was mailed with a free soldiers' stamp from Pvt. Thomas F. Melvin, 33579325, 164 Signal Photo Co., Camp Crowder, Mo., to Mrs. Marie Rowland, Hospitality Chairman, Kansas City Canteen, 1021 McGee Street, Kansas City, Mo. It reads: Nov. 15, 1943. Esteemed Mrs. Rowland: No I can't keep it to myself - I've got to tell you what I know. You are doing a swell job! And be sure, we boys appreciate your sincere efforts. My trip, hitch-hiking back to camp, was pretty tedious...but I did get here! Thank you ever so much for making my pass spent in K.C. a time long to be remembered! Cheerio! Yours, Thomas. The postcard, published in color, was issued by the U.S. Treasury Department War Savings Staff. Kansas City Times, November 15, 1985.
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