Life — July 18, 1918 — page 7: what you’re looking at

What you’re looking at

# "Soldiers" - A WWI-Era Tribute This page presents a patriotic poem celebrating American soldiers, comparing Civil War veterans ("boys of '76 and lads of '61") with contemporary khaki-uniformed soldiers (presumably from WWI). The top illustration shows a humorous chain of soldiers in various poses of exhaustion or exaggerated obedience—a visual joke about military discipline and the physical demands of soldiering. The poem praises soldiers' readiness, bravery, and willingness to endure hardship. The accompanying sketch depicts a sleeping soldier, captioned "Fritz: corr! how I'd like to haf a goot, long sleep!"—likely referencing a German soldier (Fritz being a stereotypical German name), suggesting even the enemy recognizes the grueling nature of war. The overall message frames American soldiers as worthy successors to honored military traditions.