Few Americans today know about the Friendship Train, a largely forgotten chapter in American history that once symbolized the power of generosity and unity. In a time when our nation seems so divided, it’s worth remembering that there was a moment in the past when Americans came together to help people across the world – no politics, no partisan divide, just a shared sense of compassion and goodwill.

Friendship Train – A Humanitarian Endeavor in Post-War Europe

In 1947, two years after the end of World War II, Europe was in ruins. The devastation left by the war was not just physical. It left millions starving, struggling to survive. Despite the end of hostilities, many European nations, especially France and Italy, were still reeling from food shortages and widespread hunger.

That fall, Drew Pearson, an American syndicated columnist, had just returned from Europe, where he had witnessed firsthand the desperate conditions people were facing. He saw how the Communists were gaining favor in parts of Europe simply by handing out small amounts of food, which gave him an idea. Pearson believed the United States could offer a better alternative, one rooted in generosity and goodwill rather than political gain. He proposed a “Friendship Train,” a nationwide campaign to send food to the starving people of Europe.

The Power of Collective Generosity

On October 11, 1947, Pearson announced his idea in a radio broadcast and a newspaper column, calling Americans to donate from their homes, kitchens, gardens, and farms. The response was overwhelming. In just five weeks, Americans from all walks of life came together to contribute. The Friendship Train became more than just a relief effort. It became a symbol of what Americans could achieve when they united for a common cause.

The Journey of the Friendship Train Begins

On November 7, 1947, the Friendship Train set off from Los Angeles with a grand sendoff by Hollywood producers and celebrities. Over the next eleven days, the train traveled across eleven states, making stops in cities from coast to coast. People lined up to donate: farmers sent food from their fields, housewives sent crates with staples, and communities far beyond the trains’ route organized their own donations.

By the time the Friendship Train reached New York City, it was no longer just a local initiative. It had become a national movement. More than 270 boxcars filled with food, clothing, and fuel were collected. This generosity amounted to $40 million worth of supplies, all donated and transported free of charge and without any government involvement. It was a rare moment in history when the American people, driven by compassion, put aside their differences to work together toward a single noble goal.

The Friendship Train was a nationwide campaign, initiated by Drew Pearson, to send food to the starving people of post-wwII Europe. https://www.walled-in-berlin.com

A Gesture of Goodwill with Lasting Impact

What Pearson had hoped would be a modest gesture of goodwill ended up as one of the most successful humanitarian missions in history. Each packet of food carried a personal message of friendship from its American donor. As the train made its way through France and Italy, local ceremonies were held at each stop, with French and Italian citizens expressing their heartfelt gratitude.

The Friendship Train wasn’t just about sending food; it was about sending a message. It was about showing that America cared, that we were willing to help, and that we could unite to do something good for the world. It was a moment when Americans from every corner of the country came together to show the world the power of generosity, compassion, unity, and democracy.

Walled-In is my story of growing up in Berlin during the Cold War. Juxtaposing the events that engulfed Berlin during the Berlin Blockade, the Berlin Airlift, the Berlin Wall, and Kennedy’s Berlin visit with the struggle against my equally insurmountable parental walls, Walled-In is about freedom vs. conformity, conflict vs. harmony, domination vs. submission, loyalty vs. betrayal