The Friendship Train in Vermont
Dorothy R. Scheele
The
Friendship Train was
America’s magnanimous gift of badly needed food to the destitute Europeans
after World War II. Italy and France
were the recipients. The Friendship
Train crossed the continent in November 1947 beginning its singular journey
on the 7th in Los Angeles. The
odyssey ended 11 days later with a spectacular fanfare in New York
City.
The American people had donated
an astonishing $40 million worth of food. Although the Train traveled through only 11 states, every state
contributed. A more thorough history
of the Train is covered on the opening page of this web site.
Vermont’s
original contributions to the Friendship Train of 1947 were not itemized
nor were their specific sources cited. Food gifts from different parts of the state were sent to both
Burlington and Rutland. These cities
then sent these contributions to Boston for inclusion on the Friendship
Train.
Subsequent to the departure of
the foodstuffs from the original Friendship Trains from New York harbor on
ocean-going vessels in the waning days of 1947, Vermonters rallied to the
plea for food and clothing. As in
many other states, campaigns equivalent to Friendship Train drives continued
for months. A Vermont citizen, who had
a sister living in Scotland, knew that the Scots were in dire need of food
and clothing. He asked why the state
couldn’t help them. This question galvanized the citizenry who decided to
create their own Friendship Train. The result was an aggregation of 1,200 tons of necessities. The food and clothing were loaded on what
Vermonters called the Yankee Friend Ship. Another result of Vermont’s need to create
its own Friendship Train was the origin of ‘Syrup for Service,’ which
was intended to use the profits from
sales to raise funds for food purchases for other countries.
In a nation-wide gesture of
thanks, France sent 49 boxcars of gifts to each state. The 49 boxcars are known as the Merci
train. The 49th was to be
shared by Hawaii and Washington, D. C.
Vermont rightfully received the
Merci boxcar. The boxcar was
accepted by Gov. Gibson. Earle W.
Newton, director of the Vermont Historical Society, was one of the several
speakers at the reception for the gift, and Gov. Christopher Gibson
accepted the boxcar on behalf of the state. The Montpelier High School Band played the anthems for both France
and the United States. As in almost
all other states, the gifts were distributed to public institutions.
The
Friendship Train was the genesis for the French Merci Train. Website www.mercitrain.org has
information about that train. Copies of Mr. Bennett's Book The Merci Train, A Big Thank You
From the French Merci Train is available at ebennett89@yahoo.com. The price is
$25.00 per copy, including postage.
Location: Vermont Merci Train boxcar, 789 National Guard Road, Colchester, VT 05446
Partial list of articles about
the Friendship train after 1947.
“Max Webster Heads Project” The Burlington Evening Banner Mar. 5, 1948: 1.
“Merci Train” Burlington Daily News Feb. 16, 1949:
6
“Pauley Endangers
Krug” Burlington Daily News Jan
20, 1948: 6.
“’Syrup for Service’” The Burlington Free Press Mar. 8, 1948: 21.
”Teacher Enrollments” Rutland Daily Herald Oct. 20, 1947: 8.
“Vermont Car: The
Burlington Free Press Feb. 11, 1949:
24.
The author welcomes any corrections or additional information which would add to this state's history. Her email address is draetrain@gmail.com.
The
Friendship Train was the genesis for the French Merci Train. Website www.mercitrain.org has
information about that train. Copies of Mr. Bennett's Book The Merci Train, A Big Thank You
From the French Merci Train is available at ebennett89@yahoo.com. The price is
$25.00 per copy, including postage.
Location of VT Merci boxcar, 789 Guard Road, Colchester, VT 05446
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