Rolling Comfort: The History of WWII ARC Clubmobiles
NOTE: This page is under construction. Check back often! As usual our first thought was "when do we eat," and as if in answer to our thoughts, up rolled an American Red Cross Clubmobile with hot coffee and donuts. We were beginning to love the Red Cross, it seemed like whenever we needed coffee the most, they were on hand. When World War II erupted, the American Red Cross (ARC) sought innovative ways to support U.S. troops stationed overseas. Among their most impactful initiatives was the Clubmobile—a mobile service unit designed to bring a touch of home to soldiers on the front lines. These vehicles, converted from standard buses and trucks, became a symbol of morale-boosting support, offering fresh coffee, doughnuts, and a friendly American smile wherever they went. Why donuts and coffee? Because both were deeply "American", prompting an immediate sense of home. And both were relatively easy to make [...]