The Merci Train was a train of 49 French railroad box cars filled with thousands of gifts to show appreciation to the people of the United States. In 1948, American citizens had donated more than 700 box cars of relief goods for France after World War II. The Merci Train arrived in New York Harbor on February 3, 1949 and each of the American states at that time got one. The 49th box car was shared by Washington D.C. and the territory of Hawaii.
Picture of the box cars being unloaded in New York:
The Merci Car for Arkansas is located at the American Legion Post #41 on 409 Porter Street in Helena, Arkansas. It is just one of the reminders of the sacrifice that people in the Delta made for World War I and World War II. It is truly worth a visit and especially in explaining our history to young people.
For more information about the Merci Train, go to the official site at
My Delta World 
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