The Merci Train – A Valuable Piece Of History And Gratitude
Written By Lynn R. Blamires & Catherine Tarbet-Webb for My Local Utah
Commercial Photography by 360 ELEVATED™ Marketing. Advertising and Public Relations.
The Birth Of The Friendship Train
World War II wreaked havoc on Europe; everyone in our country felt the effects of the war, but Europe experienced the destruction to an extreme. The concept of a Friendship Train was born in the mind of Drew Pearson, a popular columnist. During a trip to Europe in 1947, Pearson witnessed the arrival of a Communist ship and the great fanfare when these meager gifts were given, which irked him. He hated the concept of Communism, and he believed that the United States could surpass the Communists in sending aid to the desperate, hungry Europeans.
We Can And Will Do Better
On October 11, 1947, Pearson announced his idea to gather food to send across the Atlantic. He asked Americans to donate food from their homes, kitchens, gardens, and fields in his broadcasts and columns to over 350 newspapers nationwide. Immediately, towns, cities, and states formed plans to collect food to send to the Friendship Train. This concept was such an exciting and popular idea that competition among the communities, counties, and states for having sent the most significant contribution was part of the work and also part of the fun. There was no reward, but everyone wanted to be the top contributor.
Journey Of Generosity
Five weeks later, on November 7th, 1947, the Friendship Train began its journey across the country from Hollywood, California. The tremendous send-off included celebrities such as Elizabeth Taylor, John Wayne, and Mickey Rooney. Although the train traveled through only eleven states, every state contributed by sending their boxcars or trains to meet the Friendship Train at a junction or by sending trucks to the train. Many communities not on the original route insisted on giving, causing delays throughout the journey. The enormous donations, plus the mountainous terrain in the West, caused the train to be divided into three trains totaling 250 boxcars.
The Friendship Train’s Voyage
By 1948, that number had reached 700. The estimated worth was forty million dollars. In today’s currency, that would be almost five hundred and seventy-one million dollars. The Friendship Train arrived in New York City for another extraordinary celebration. It was loaded onto ships and sent to Europe. The government had no part in funding this effort. All of the shipping by rail and ship was donated. The American people gave all the labor to get food to the train and load it onto the vessel. It has been lauded as the most incredible humanitarian movement in history. The Friendship Train contents benefited France, Italy, Germany, Austria, Belgium, and Greece. Every package had this label, “All races and creeds make up the vast melting pot of America, and in a democratic and Christian spirit of goodwill toward men, we, the American people, have worked together to bring this food to your doorsteps, hoping that it will tide you over until your fields are again rich and abundant with crops.” The tag also indicated the name and address of the donor, was printed in French and Italian, and was beside the American flag.
The Arrival Of The Merci Train
In 1949, 16 months later, a ship arrived in New York Harbor on February 2, 1949. The vessel was the Magellan, and it carried 49 boxcars making up the Merci Train from France. Merci translates to “Thank You,” so it makes sense that each car was filled with 52,000 gifts from French people in appreciation of what our country had done for them. There was one for each of the 48 states in the union and an extra car split between Hawaii and the District of Columbia. Six million French citizens participated in the gifts that arrived on the Merci Train. The boxcars were well-known among Allied soldiers in World Wars, and each car carried a stenciled sign. The label read, “Hommes 40 Che Vaux 8 – 40 men or eight horses.” These 29-foot-long, 9-foot wide, four-wheeled carriages weighed 12 tons and were built between 1872 and 1885. By the 1940s, they were already antiques. Even as the Forty and Eights were being loaded aboard the French ship, Magellan, more presents poured in. Over 9,000 gifts had to be left behind on the docks in France.
A Spectacular Welcome
The arrival of the Magellan sent waves of anticipation rippling through the city, sparking an electrifying atmosphere of excitement and spectacle. As the majestic ship reached its long-awaited destination, the New York Times heralded its arrival with a flourish, describing the scene as a cacophony of jubilation that surpassed even the grandest ocean liners before it. The harbor erupted in a vibrant celebration display as a flotilla of small boats adorned with colorful flags danced around the gaily decorated freighter. Proudly emblazoned upon its hull, a striking inscription declared “Merci America,” a poignant testament to the gratitude felt by many. Above, the sky was alive with the roar of Air Force planes soaring in formation, while below, fireboats unleashed mighty columns of spray, painting the wintry sunlight with a kaleidoscope of shimmering hues. It was a moment of pure exhilaration, a triumphant symphony of sights and sounds that captured the spirit of a city welcoming a new chapter in history.
Parades and welcome ceremonies were conducted in the state capitals and major cities of almost all the states. New York City was the largest and most well-attended, where more than 200,000 people welcomed that state’s assigned boxcar. The following day, the ship docked at Weehawken, New Jersey, and unloaded through the voluntary services of local stevedoring companies. Routine customs procedures were waived: President Truman had signed into law a special resolution permitting the train and its cargo to enter the United States duty-free. Since their wheels were about 8 inches wider than American rails, the Forty and Eights were hoisted onto flatcars for their overland journey. Split up in several trains, they were sent to each destination.
Gifts Of Gratitude: Treasures From France
Many were handmade and were as simple as an embroidered cloth. The simplicity of many gifts showed the depth of gratitude expressed by those who made them. They had little to give, but they wanted to give something. The gifts included childish drawings on rough yellowed paper, worn down wooden shoes, ashtrays made of broken mirrors, hand-crocheted doilies, battered toys, and bicycles, new and old. And then, some gifts were quite valuable: Fifty+ rare paintings, the first motorcycle ever built, a Louis XV carriage, the original bust of Benjamin Franklin by the great French sculptor Jean Antoine Houdon, and the bugle that sounded at the signing of Armistice at Champagne in 1918. Other notable gifts were also given: a church in LaCourtene gave up its bell, the city of Lyon provided dozens of silk wedding dresses, and an anonymous donor shipped in a set of black lingerie intended for a beautiful blonde lady.
Distribution and Display: Sharing the Gifts Across America
Each state carefully cataloged and distributed its portion of the cargo, ensuring that the gifts were shared and appreciated by communities across the country. Many of these items embarked on exhibition tours, allowing people from various states to marvel at their beauty and significance. Following these exhibitions, some items were auctioned off, with the proceeds directed towards charitable causes, while others were generously donated to veterans’ hospitals, churches, or schools, enriching the lives of those in need. Items deemed worthy of permanent display found their rightful homes in museums and libraries, where they could be cherished by generations to come. As the last car journeyed, stopping at the nation’s capital before continuing on to Hawaii, it carried a sense of unity and goodwill. Upon its arrival in Hawaii, although there were no items to catalog, the boxcar was filled with packing straw, symbolizing the spirit of generosity that had characterized its voyage.
Honoring History: Ogden’s Celebration
On February 22, 2024, the 75th Anniversary of Utah’s Merci Car was commemorated at Ogden’s Union Station. Many in the audience were members of the American Legion and those wanting to celebrate the history Union Station hosts. The commemoration event commenced with an outdoor reception held in close proximity to the historic Merci Car, followed by a poignant ceremony featuring distinguished guest speakers at Union Station’s esteemed Browning Theater. The proceedings were initiated with a stirring presentation of the colors by the American Legion Baker-Miller Post 9, accompanied by a deeply moving bugle performance.
Among the notable speakers were Judy Lewis, widow of Byron Lewis, whose pivotal role in previous restoration endeavors for the boxcar is deeply honored; Ogden Mayor Ben Nadolski, expressing the city’s profound appreciation for this emblem of gratitude; University of Utah professor and Utah’s Honorary Consul of France, Anne Lair, reflecting on the enduring bond between nations; American Legion Baker-Miller Post 9 Commander Gary Mlynarski, underscoring the significance of veterans’ contributions; National Executive of the American Legion Terry Schow, emphasizing the enduring legacy of service and sacrifice; Union Station Museum Curator Hope Eggett, offering insights into the historical significance of the Merci Car. Onhand for the festivities was Casey Conny Marra, Utah’s oldest surviving veteran at 99 years old, who firsthand experienced riding in a Forty and Eight boxcar also known as “Hommes 40 Che Vaux 8.”
Guests were graciously admitted free of charge and invited to immerse themselves in a wealth of exhibits, enjoy live musical performances, and savor light refreshments showcased in the Grand Lobby. The event served as a poignant tribute to a remarkable chapter in history, fostering a sense of unity, gratitude, and reflection within the community.
The Humble Yet Mighty Boxcar
This boxcar represents the other 48 boxcars the French people gifted to the United States. Each boxcar is adorned with forty miniature shields representing all of the provinces of France – 20 on each side and a diagonal stripe with the words Train De La Reconnaissance Francaise. The symbol of the Merci Train is attached to some of the cars. It is a plaque showing a frontal view of a steam engine with flowers on the pilot, which is symbolic of Flanders Field, where many American “Dough Boys” from World War I are buried. It also bears the stamp – Hommes 40 Che Vaux 8 – 40 men or eight horses.
Utah’s Merci boxcar, initially situated in Salt Lake City’s Memory Grove Park, was relocated to Ogden in 2002 by Byron Lewis and the Forty and Eight Boxcar Committee. Lewis, a U.S. Marine Corps veteran, expressed dismay over the boxcar’s condition during its time near the state Capitol. The Forty and Eight group, named after the boxcar style used in World Wars I and II, played a crucial role in its relocation and restoration for display at Union Station. However, volunteer maintenance was halted due to concerns about the techniques used. Despite restoration efforts, the boxcar has deteriorated again, prompting fundraising efforts for this endeavor.
Preserving the Past: The Story Lives On
In collaboration with Union Station management, Ogden City Arts, Culture, and Events have initiated steps to restore the boxcar. Historical railroad restoration experts estimate from $100,000 to $200,000, covering both restoration and the installation of a bronze plaque detailing the Merci boxcar’s history.
The Merci Train would not have existed had it not been for the Friendship Train. The story is told by Dorthy R. Scheele – thefriendshiptrain1947.org.
The National Boxcar Association wrote a history of these events and compiled a list of where the boxcars ended up (as of 2000). You can read more here: sewivets.org/Voiture410/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/The-French-Merci-Boxcar-Story.pdf.