The dedication of the eight informational panels that tell the story of the Merci Train at McCormick-Stillman Railroad Park will take place Sunday, Feb. 9 at 1 p.m.

Telling the unique relationship between France and the U.S. following World War I, the Four Peaks Questers Chapter, under the direction of President Nell Bigley, was instrumental in raising the funds for this historic project.

The community is invited to attend this free event.

What is the Merci Train?

The French “Merci” or “Gratitude Train” was a train of 49 French railroad boxcars filled with tens of thousands of personal gifts of gratitude from at least that many individual French citizens who were showing their appreciation for the more than 700 American “Friendship” American boxcars of relief goods sent to them by (primarily) individual Americans in 1947.

“This is a forgotten story about grassroots humanitarian efforts for others,” Bigley said.

For further information on the Merci Train, visit mercitrain.org.

Questers is an international organization interested in preservation, restoration and education.

For further Questers information or Questers Merci Train projects, contact Nell Bigley at nellbgl@gmail.com or 480-71007073 or contact Betsy Stambaugh at betsystambaugh@gmail.com or 630-728-963.

The McCormick-Stillman Railroad Park is located at 7301 E. Indian Bend Road.