BOXCAR MEMORIES - The Journey of the French Gratitude Train
rediscovers the almost forgotten story about friendship, generosity and sacrifice.
In 1949 forty-nine boxcars arrived in New York. They were filled with gifts from the french people wishing to express their gratitude to the American citizen who sent relief supplies after the war and the American soldiers who liberated their towns and villages from German occupation.
After the war the French were left with little material means, personal possessions were all they could send. Children packed up their toys, widows their late husbands war medals and families their treasured heirlooms to strangers across the world. Many of the gifts came with a note telling exactly what happened to the senders and the Americans they came to know. These stories are the heart of this documentary.
"Accept this simple dress wich evokes for me a wonderful memory.I was just finishing it when the two fine GI's, who are in the photo, arrived in our village the 27th of August 1944, and Mortcerf was freed. With all our gratitude."
The chuncky handpainted boxcars that carried the gifts are a hauntingly familiar site to may World War II veterans. Originally called the "Forty and Eight" boxcars, because they could either carry forty men or 8 horses.Built in Cape Cod,the boxcars where sent to Europe during World War I and used in Both World Wars to transport american soldiers to the front lines. Stock footage also shows the same boxcars being used to transport jewish prisoners to nazi concentration camps.
In our documentary veterans will share memories of their travels.
"That winter was one of the coldest in years.The germans packed us in the boxcar with nothing to keep us warm.However this boxcar was used to transport animals and had not been cleaned; the manure was still in the boxcar.We huddled in the corner and the manure kept us warm while beeing transported to a german prisoner of war camp."
The original idea of the French Gratitude Train (Train de la Reconnaissance Française) was a response to another train sent to France from the American people after the war. This 700 boxcar long train traveled across the United States gathering relief supplies for the french in need.It was named the Friendship Train. 
These moving pieces of history have been kept alive by a passionate few.
People who chanced upon these very personal testimonials knew they could not fade away.We will follow these history sleuths as they seek out long hidden memories.
Using animated artwork, letters, rare historical footage and interviews with WWII veterans and American and French citizen, this program will take an unusual look at both world wars and explore the values of international friendship.
