This is a Red Cross Canteen uniform used during World War II. This particular uniform is blue in color with white and red embellishments throughout. It has white buttons down the middle and a belt with a button. Two embroidered red patches can also be seen on the uniform, this showcases how long someone served in the Canteen Corps. The individual who wore this uniform served for two years. The Canteen Corps was made up of volunteers from all over the nation. These people served snacks and meals at various places such as docks and military posts throughout the war. Volunteers over the course of the war served cups of coffee, doughnuts, and meals. Since these volunteers worked at entrance and exit points they were the last to see soldiers go and the first to welcome them home. In 1942 there were around 105,571 volunteers in the Canteen Corps.

The uniform pictured on the right is that of a Red Cross volunteer nurse. It is unknown who owned this uniform. It consists of the dress and the white hat and has patches indicating that the wearer is a volunteer for the Red Cross. During World War II, the Red Cross recruited women to become nurses and support the war effort. Many women worked with the Army as well as the Navy near the war front. Others supported the war effort by working at home. Many doctors were recruited and sent abroad to help on the war front. This left women to take on the role of the medical provider at home. Their main focus was to help with the ongoing problem of diseases being spread in cramped cities and military camps throughout the United States.

The uniform pictured on the left is that of Florence Thompson who was a La Crosse resident. This uniform, in particular, is blue in color and consists of a blouse, jacket, and skirt. It is decorated with emblems across the jacket. These uniforms were used by the Women's Accepted for Volunteer Emergency Services (WAVES). This Navel unit was created on July 30th, 1942 under the Navy Women's Reserve Act. This allowed men to complete sea duty so women could take over more secretarial and instructor positions. In order to enlist women had to be between the ages of 20 and 36 and they could not have any children under the age of 18. Florence herself enlisted in 1943 and served until the end of the war where she then returned to La Crosse and began to work as a social worker.