Life, 1918-06-13 · page 7 of 36
Life — June 13, 1918 — page 7: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This page contains two wartime letters from 1918 (indicated by references to trenches and the Kaiser). **"A Letter from Overseas"** by Charlotte Becker depicts a soldier writing home about combat conditions—describing a scrimmage, heat, and racket of battle, mixed with homesick reflections on peaceful American life (bass fishing, larks, elm trees, school drills). **"An Open Letter to Ireland"** signed "Veritas" addresses Irish-American tensions during WWI, urging Irish immigrants to unite against Germany rather than pursue "Home Rule agitation" or "plots with the enemy." It's propaganda encouraging Irish-Americans' loyalty to the American war effort rather than prioritizing Irish independence. The bear illustration at top ("LIFE") is the magazine's mascot. The photograph shows a military figure with civilians, likely illustrating domestic wartime scenes.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
A Letter from Overseas By Charlotte Becker EAR DAD: We had a scrimmage here last night; T wasn’t hurt, but two of us got killed ; It's curious that my head was only filled Through all the heat and racket of the fight With wondering how this April bass would bite In Willow River; if the larks would build In our big elm tree; if the high school drilled ; If little Tom was flying his first kite. I'm glad I'm in the trenches, but this spring, When it’s so bare and bleak and tree- less here, So muddy and so grim and creepy- queer, It helps a lot to hear each small home thing— Hello! a shell just splintered my new gun— Good-bye, write all the news. Your loving son. An Open Letter to Ireland EAR IRELAND: When the house is on fire it's no time for family quarrels. It's no time to sulk and tolerate plots with the enemy at your doors, Forget your ill-timed Home Rule agitation ; do your bit towards canning the Kaiser. If the Huns win you'll have no home to rule! . Sincerely yours, Veritas, “REMEMBER, MY SON, WHEN YOU GET TO CAMP TRY TO BE PUNCTUAL IN THE MORNINGS, SO AS NOT TO KEEP BREAKFAST WAITING” comicbooks.com