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Free Vintage Post Cards for Memorial and Veterans Day

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By WordPlay


It's not necessarily traditional to send cards to US military veterans for Memorial Day and Veterans Day, but there's no reason not to start that tradition right now. After all, these brave men and women laid their lives on the line for us.

In March 2008, the 4,000th American was pronounced dead in the Iraq war. That means you might even know people who recently gave their lives for their country. So why not send our surviving veterans or the relatives of someone killed in battle one of the authentic old-fashioned cards on this page, either as an e-card or on the front of a postcard or greeting card. No matter how you feel about war, it's the least we can do to say thank you for those who put themselves in harm's way.


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Free vintage post cards for Memorial Day: Honor the brave
Free vintage post cards for Memorial Day: Honor the brave

Download Memorial Day and Veterans Day Cards Here

Choose a small version of any of the patriotic cards above the large image to the right.

When you click on one of the images, it will appear larger. Then, if you have a PC, right-click and save the larger version of the artwork to your hard drive.

The clip art on this page will look slightly blurry, because the HubPages software requires images to be of a certain size. But don't worry; when you download the art and use it at a smaller size, the images will look sharper.

Looking for ways to honor those who served? Scroll down to see our gallery of tribute items.


In Flanders Fields

The original inspiration for veterans to sell paper poppies for Memorial Day came from the famous poem below, which was written by John McCrae in 1915:

In Flanders Fields


In Flanders fields the poppies blow

Between the crosses, row on row

That mark our place; and in the sky

The larks, still bravely singing, fly

Scarce heard amid the guns below.

We are the Dead.

Short days ago

We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,

Loved and were loved, and now we lie In Flanders fields.

Take up our quarrel with the foe:

To you from failing hands we throw

The torch; be yours to hold it high.

If ye break faith with us who die

We shall not sleep, though poppies grow In Flanders fields.

In 1922 the Veterans of Foreign Wars became the first veterans' organization to sell poppies nationally for Memorial Day. Two years later their "Buddy" poppy program began selling artificial poppies made by disabled veterans.

Another Way to Honor Our Veterans

Another way to honor veterans is by honoring the flag for which they fought. Here are the rules for displaying and handling the flag, according to the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW):

  • The U.S. flag should be displayed from sunrise to sunset on buildings and stationary flagstaffs in the open, but when a patriotic effect is desired the flag may be displayed 24-hours a day if properly illuminated . Also, the flag should not be displayed in foul weather, except if it is an all-weather flag.
  • It should fly above any other flag. the exception are flags of other nations, which should be flown at same height.
  • When held in a parade, the U.S. flag should be to marchers right (observer's left).
  • When displayed on a speaker's platform, it must be above and behind the speaker. If mounted on a staff it should be on the speaker's right.
  • The flag should never be used for decoration. For bunting, use blue on top, then white, then red.
  • To salute the flag, your head should be bare (women and military leave hats on), your right hand should be over your heart and you should be standing at attention.
  • On special days the flag may be flown at half-staff. On Memorial Day it shuold be flown at half-staff until noon and then raised to full height.
  • Do not let the flag touch the ground.
  • Do not fly the flag upside down unless there is an emergency.
  • Do not carry the flag flat or carry things in it.
  • Do not use the flag as clothing.
  • Do not store the flag where it can get dirty.
  • Do not use it as a cover, unless it is on a coffin during a funeral.
  • Do not fasten it or tie it back; always allow it to fall free.
  • Do not draw on it or otherwise mark the flag.

 

Veterans in the News

  • Veterans Face New Enemy: UnemploymentNPR8 hours ago

    More than 2,500 veterans flocked to the USS Intrepid, a decommissioned aircraft docked along the Hudson River in Manhattan, for a job fair Monday. While the unemployment rate in New York is 9 percent, it's nearly double that for combat-age veterans. One challenge is that their skills aren't easily understood by employers.

  • Chapel Hill urged to honor veteransThe News & Observer2 hours ago

    Forty-two years ago today, Jim Merritt was wounded in a combat zone in Vietnam. On Monday night, the outgoing Chapel Hill Town Council member formally asked his colleagues to establish a town memorial to all veterans.

  • S.C. military veterans to get traditional feastThe State2 hours ago

    More than 150 military veterans at Columbia's Dorn VA Medical Center are being treated today to a special Thanksgiving meal.

  • Invisible Wounds: Veterans and SuicideWXOW 19 La Crosse48 minutes ago

    Sparta, WI (WXOW)-- Our month long series on the tragedy of suicide wraps up with a focus on our veterans and mental illness. Tim Noble's struggles with suicide started when he returned home from war to civilian live in Sparta.

  • Veterans Day events in the regionThe Record Gazette1 second ago

    The National Forests plan to honor Veterans Day with a “Free Day” in area forests. And “Adventure Pass” will not be required on National Forests in Southern California on Wednesday, Nov. 11.

  • Veterans DayTewksbury Town Crier1 second ago

    The following is the transcript of the keynote speech delivered by Benjamin S. Akins during Tewksbury’s 2009 Veterans Day ceremony. It is being published here with the permission of the author.

  • Veterans museum adds new display caseYourNabe.com1 second ago

    A museum that celebrates the contributions of veterans from the Bronx, currently located at John Dormi and Sons Funeral Home, has added. Now its curator is celebrating new donations and a new display case, thanks to Veterans and Friends, a Morris Park group..

  • Beaumont is a leader in supporting veteransThe Record Gazette1 second ago

    Beaumont is proving itself to be a pioneer in providing veterans services — not just to Beaumont, but also to all men and women who have served in the Armed Forces and now reside in the Pass area.

Comments

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In The Doghouse profile image

In The Doghouse  says:
2 years ago

I think this is a fabulous idea. Wonderful old cards too! Thanks.

WordPlay profile image

WordPlay  says:
2 years ago

Thanks for your comment. I say, let's start a tradition!

MrMarmalade profile image

MrMarmalade  says:
2 years ago

Magic idea.

Our Veitnam Veterans took over twenty years to be recognised and honour in our Anzac Day late april.

Thank you for great idea.

WordPlay profile image

WordPlay  says:
2 years ago

During Viet Nam people got confused between hating the war and hating the people who were there because they were told they had to fight for their country. My brother went to Viet Nam when he was only 19, so I'm sensitized to the sacrifices soldiers had/have to make.

Hope Wilbanks profile image

Hope Wilbanks  says:
2 years ago

Great hub!

Bonnie Ramsey profile image

Bonnie Ramsey  says:
2 years ago

Wonderful hub! I come from a long line of military family members and this is a very sensitive subject to me. It enrages me to hear people cut down military and call them cruel names! If not for people like our soldiers, these people wouldn't have the freedom to make cruel remarks like that. They should remember that before criticizing soldiers for any reason! Thanks for this hub and thanks for honoring our military. And a special thanks for the beautiful cards!

Bonnie

WordPlay profile image

WordPlay  says:
2 years ago

Thanks, Hope!

Bonnie, I understand your frustration. I think some people lose perspective when it comes to war, because it's such an emotional topic. If the people who make rude remarks had family members in the military, they'd probably see it in a totally different way.

Sgt. Hamilton  says:
2 weeks ago

I want the free post cards but do not have a pc. Shall I give you my address:

Sgt. Hamilton. 1150 Capitol Drive, #84, San Pedro, CA 90732

Thank you sincerely.

WordPlay profile image

WordPlay  says:
2 weeks ago

Hi, Sgt. Hamilton. These can also be downloaded onto a Mac or any other type of computer. If you have a Mac, just control-click the image until you get a pop-up menu that gives you the option to save it.

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