Life, 1918-12-26 · page 27 of 35
Life — December 26, 1918 — page 27: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This page celebrates American soldiers returning from World War I. The large illustration "She'd Do It If She Could" depicts the Statue of Liberty reaching toward incoming transport ships—personifying America's emotional welcome of returning troops. The statue's straining posture suggests she wants to embrace the soldiers but cannot physically reach them. The accompanying text lists kisses a soldier received during his service: from French generals and civilians, a Red Cross nurse, the Statue of Liberty, and his mother. These represent the various expressions of gratitude and affection soldiers experienced abroad and anticipate upon homecoming. The poem "Salute" by Edward A. Church celebrates the American flag returning with victorious troops, emphasizing sacrifice ("stripes more red where our heroes bled") and national pride in the "doughboys" and sailors. The small cartoon "His Real Master" (bottom right) appears unrelated—likely a separate satirical commentary on something contemporary to 1918-1919, though the specific reference is unclear from this image alone.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
SHE'D DO IT IF SHE COULD Some Kisses a Hero Never Forgets HE kiss from the fraternal French general who medal pinned onthe The kiss an old French woman gave hin, when they recaptured the town from the Huns. The kiss a saucy French miss gave him as she passed. The motherly kiss a Red Cross nurse yave him when he was wounded. The partmg kiss he waved to France as he stood on the home-coming steamer, The exuberant kiss he threw to the Statue of Liberty. The kiss from the girl he left be- hind. His mother’s kiss. Salute NOTHER song for the brave old Flag. As full-staff-high it fies, Whether a shot-torn, smoke-grimmed rag Or bright as the wintry: skies. We watch from the slips as the trans- port ships Come plunging through the foam, And mothers and dads hail the glori- ous lads That bring the old Flag home. They bore it away in the morn’s dim light With never a good-bye cheer, For they stole to sea like a thief in the night Lest the Hun of their course should hear. But now in the breeze o'er the ran- somed seas The proud ships make their track, And the sirens sing and the great bells ring \s they bring the old Flag back. There are stripes more red where our heroes bled; Their memory gilds the stars; But thanks we give for the lads that live, For the “doughboys” and the tars Oh, let them brag of their well-served Flag Wherever their glad feet r And let none be mute ii salute As they bring “Old Glory" home Edward A. Church, ' the high HIS REAL MASTER comicbooks.com