Bishopville in Lee County, South Carolina — The American South (South Atlantic)
Gratitude Train - Merci America
Train de la Reconnaisance Francaise
Photographed by Dave W, May 9, 2023
1. Gratitude Train - Merci America Marker
by the people of France
February 9, 1949
This boxcar and others were used to move soldiers and horses to and from fighting fronts during World War I 1917 - 1918
and soldiers during World War II 1944 - 1945
Rededicated in Honor and Memory
of the brave Men and Women who served in all wars
May 28, 1995
Grande Voiture du South Carolina
La Societe des 40 Hommes et 8 Chaveaux
Boxcar locations
McPherson P Greenville Park 1949 1973
Cleveland Park Greenville 1973 1993
American Legion Post 6 Columbia 1993
Erected 1995 by Grande Voiture du South Carolina.
Topics and series. This memorial is listed in these topic lists: Fraternal or Sororal Organizations • Patriots & Patriotism • Peace • War, World I • War, World II. In addition, it is included in the Merci Train Boxcars series list.
Location. 34° 13.15′ N, 80° 14.846′ W. Memorial is in Bishopville, South Carolina, in Lee County. It is on North Main Street north of West Council Street, on the left when traveling north. Touch for map. Memorial is
this page online
Regionally, this memorial is in South Carolina’s Pee Dee. It is also in the American South and specifically in the Deep South. Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region, North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture, one of the original Thirteen Colonies, one of the Confederate States of America, and the Antebellum South.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Corporal James D. Heriot (here, next to this marker); James Capers (a few steps from this marker); William Apollos James House (about 500 feet away, measured in a direct line); Battle of Ratcliff's Bridge (about 500 feet away); Felix "Doc" Blanchard (about 500 feet away); Felix Anthony "Doc" Blanchard (about 600 feet away); Flag Park (about 600 feet away); Bishopville Vietnam Supreme Sacrifice Memorial (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers
Photographed by Dave W, May 9, 2023
2. Gratitude Train - Merci America Marker
Marker seen on wall to the left of the Merci boxcar.
Photographed by Mark Parker, April 6, 2024
3. Boxcar plate located on the front of the Merci Train
Boxcar used in the 1st World War presented by the French National Railroads to the State of South Carolina in gratitude for the help given to France by the American people.
Photographed by Mark Parker, April 6, 2024
4. South Carolina's Merci Boxcar on display inside
On Monday, February 7, 1949, a Pennsylvania GG1 electric locomotive started south with eight Merci Boxcars and a business passenger car, stopping in Potomac Yards in Alexandria, Va. to change locomotive to the Richmond, Frederickson & Potomac railroad for the trip to Richmond. On February 8, the Sea Board Air Line moved the train to Spencer yards, North Carolina. On each stop, one box car was off loaded. On Wednesday, February 9, 1949, the green, gold, and white diesel locomotives of the Southern Railway halted in Spartanburg at about 11:30 a.m. for a half-hour ceremony. After the half-hour ceremony in the "Peach City," the Governor, J. Strom Thurmond, along with Columbia Mayor, Frank C. Owens, and Spartanburg, Mayor Leon Moore, boarded for the ride to Greenville, arriving at 1:15 p.m. Mayor Kenneth Cass welcomed the train while the 722nd Air Force Band from Greenville Air Force Base stood ready to say it with martial music, as the "Merci Train" was shunted into a siding for inspection.
The Southern section of the French Merci Train arrived in Greenville at about 1:15 p.m. It deposited the South Carolina car at the Southern Station. From the brightly-painted Pullman, the visitors descended. In the front was the Governor, J. Strom Thurmond. Flanking him were two representatives of France, Madame Marie Geoffray and Monsieur Michel Junot of Paris, and visitors who were riding the train from Spartanburg. They left the crowded platform crossed the tracks and took their places on a raised structure of planking fronted with the French Tri-color and the American Stars and Stripes. Members of the American Legion 40 and 8 Society joined them for the official welcoming.
Governor J. Strom Thurmond made the chief address as the "Merci Boxcar" was welcomed to South Carolina. Madame Marie Geoffray was a famous fighter of the French resistance Movement during German occupation of France and Monsieur Michal Junot, Chief of French delegation in charge of the train, explained to the thousands of spectators that the Boxcar was filed with historical and art treasures. They said, "Merci America for your gifts, Merci Beaucoup."
Mayor G. Heyward Mahon, spoke into a microphone, "This, he said, is Friendship." America has given of her bounty to France. France has given of her hearts in return. The first words the Doughboy learned in France, he went on, were "Merci Beaucoup." This train is the way French say, "Thank you very much America."
South Carolina's Merci Boxcar was placed in McPherson Park from 1949 until 1973. Over the years the Coats of Arms were removed and/or lost; the car was in very bad shape. However, the American Legion Auxiliary Unit 3 of Greenville, and a dedicated group of ladies led by Mrs. Waco Childer, Sr. got busy and they had the car moved to Cleveland Park. This group of dedicated ladies looked after the car. The car rested on rails, with a split rail fence around it and with shrubbery planted.
After over 34 years, a Bronze Plaque was placed in front of the boxcar and dedicated on Friday, June 24, 1983. After the ceremony, Andrew "Andy" J. Dolak of Lamar, who had been given the 0.K.from the Palmetto Grand Voiture du South Carolina to do research on the boxcar, circulated copies of the "South Carolina Merci Boxcar Memorial Book."
"South Carolina Merci Boxcar Memorial Book," Andrew "Andy" J. Dolak. Lamar, SC. 1983
The Southern section of the French Merci Train arrived in Greenville at about 1:15 p.m. It deposited the South Carolina car at the Southern Station. From the brightly-painted Pullman, the visitors descended. In the front was the Governor, J. Strom Thurmond. Flanking him were two representatives of France, Madame Marie Geoffray and Monsieur Michel Junot of Paris, and visitors who were riding the train from Spartanburg. They left the crowded platform crossed the tracks and took their places on a raised structure of planking fronted with the French Tri-color and the American Stars and Stripes. Members of the American Legion 40 and 8 Society joined them for the official welcoming.
Governor J. Strom Thurmond made the chief address as the "Merci Boxcar" was welcomed to South Carolina. Madame Marie Geoffray was a famous fighter of the French resistance Movement during German occupation of France and Monsieur Michal Junot, Chief of French delegation in charge of the train, explained to the thousands of spectators that the Boxcar was filed with historical and art treasures. They said, "Merci America for your gifts, Merci Beaucoup."
Mayor G. Heyward Mahon, spoke into a microphone, "This, he said, is Friendship." America has given of her bounty to France. France has given of her hearts in return. The first words the Doughboy learned in France, he went on, were "Merci Beaucoup." This train is the way French say, "Thank you very much America."
South Carolina's Merci Boxcar was placed in McPherson Park from 1949 until 1973. Over the years the Coats of Arms were removed and/or lost; the car was in very bad shape. However, the American Legion Auxiliary Unit 3 of Greenville, and a dedicated group of ladies led by Mrs. Waco Childer, Sr. got busy and they had the car moved to Cleveland Park. This group of dedicated ladies looked after the car. The car rested on rails, with a split rail fence around it and with shrubbery planted.
After over 34 years, a Bronze Plaque was placed in front of the boxcar and dedicated on Friday, June 24, 1983. After the ceremony, Andrew "Andy" J. Dolak of Lamar, who had been given the 0.K.from the Palmetto Grand Voiture du South Carolina to do research on the boxcar, circulated copies of the "South Carolina Merci Boxcar Memorial Book."
"South Carolina Merci Boxcar Memorial Book," Andrew "Andy" J. Dolak. Lamar, SC. 1983
Photographed by Mark Parker, April 6, 2024
5. Ramp to the entrance of Gratitude Train
Located on the rear side away from the street
Credits. This page was last revised on August 4, 2024. It was originally submitted on May 10, 2023, by Dave W of Co, Colorado. This page has been viewed 404 times since then and 25 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on May 10, 2023, by Dave W of Co, Colorado. 3, 4, 5. submitted on August 3, 2024, by Mark Parker of Hickory, North Carolina. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.
