McCook's rec center for service men in 1943

By May of 1943, the McCook City Council had been advised that there was a grant of $7,830 from the Federal Works Agency to maintain and operate a service men's recreation center. During their May 27 meeting, the council tentatively agreed to accept that offer.

Within a week, the council had delegated the task of operating the center to the McCook Junior Chamber of Commerce and work had already begun on the remodeling of the Morris building in the 100 block of Main Street. Plans included a snack bar, dancing space, games area, information booth and a place to write letters. The grant included funds for a full time male supervisor, a female assistant and a janitor. A good salary was assured for the duration because the grant was renewable every six months until the war ended.

By July 1943, a carload of "modernistic" furniture was being moved into the building along with a piano, pool table, ping-pong table and other amusement features. Mr. and Mrs. C. E. Kohler had donated a $100 radio to the center.

Opened from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m., the center's programs were to be supervised by Mrs. Charles DeForest and Mrs. Roy Harris. The ladies were calling for the co-operation of every organization, church and club in McCook to help entertain the troops from the base. Jim Corcoran, president of the Junior Chamber of Commerce, was directing the center and Mrs. Roy Kleven, wife of McCook's mayor, was actively involved in the planning.

Girls 17 years old or older were being sought to join the "Volunteer Hostess Army" which would help supply entertainment for the soldiers. At least 100 girls were needed and they would work during the day time hours, which would entitle them to come to the center in the evenings also.

The service center was not to be the only entertainment in town, however. St. Patrick's Catholic Church announced a series of Saturday evening parties for soldiers featuring dances and games. Parents need not worry about their daughters safety because women chaperones would not only pick them up to attend the parties, but also return them home at the end of the festivities.

The YMCA (Young Men's Christian Association) had normally hosted a horse show on Memorial Day as a fund raiser but in 1943, the event was moved to July 4 and a military demonstration added to the show. Because the fourth fell on a Sunday that year, due to pressure from the local Ministerial Association to not hold a YMCA sponsored event on a Sunday, it was proposed having the show on Monday the 5th. Local civic leaders and the Air Base officers felt Sunday was the only day appropriate for the show and so a Horse Show Association was formed to take over sponsorship of the event. Dr. J. M. Willis was elected president, Ray Murphy, vice president and Florence Rhoads, secretary of the new group. Half of the proceeds were to be given to the YMCA for use in the expansion of its programs to benefit troops and half to the Air Base for day room furnishings.

As McCook's base was completed and soldiers began filling the base, Indianola was facing the same housing, feeding and entertainment problems as McCook due to the building of a prison camp north of the city. Red Willow County was bursting at the seams with military men and construction workers, but at the same time, families were watching with heavy hearts as their sons and daughters left for service overseas.

Southwest Nebraska Genealogy Society library will not be open this Saturday, May 16, due to the one-day workshop taking place at the same time. It will be open Thursday, May 28, from 6 to 8 p.m. for your research needs.