The "Norman Rockwell's Saturday Evening Post Classic War Covers Celebrate Veteran's Day" Story

Preface:  Today I take a break from my St. Martin stories to post a story honoring all the veteran's who have served their country in the past, no matter what country they may call home.  A special "Thank You" goes out to my brother, Steve and my father Paul who both served in the armed forces.  And a special "Thank You" to all my friends who served in just about every branch of the armed services.  I certainly appreciate the commitment you gave to me, my family and your country.

It was an ordinary day.  Veteran's Day in the United States, November 11, 2018, and LDub would like to thank all those who fought, and in many cases lost their lives, to protect our country and preserve freedom for all who call the United States home.  I thought it would be fitting to view a number of Norman Rockwell's most famous paintings that saluted our nation's troops during wartime.  

Norman Rockwell, Feb. 3, 1894 - Nov. 8, 1978

Norman was born in New York City and at the age of 14 enrolled in art classes at The New York School of Art.  Two years later he left high school to study art at The National Academy of Design.  Shortly after he transferred to The Art Students League where he studied with Thomas Fogarty and George Bridgman.  Fogarty's instruction in illustration prepared Rockwell for his first commercial commissions while Bridgman taught Norman the technical skills on which he relied throughout his long career.  On his sixteenth birthday he painted his first commission of four Christmas cards.  While still a teen he was named art director of Boy's Life which is the Boy Scouts of America's official publication.  At the age of 22 he painted his first cover for The Saturday Evening Post which to Rockwell was "the greatest show window in America."  In 1943 Rockwell was so inspired by President Franklin Roosevelt's address to Congress that he painted the Four Freedoms paintings which were reproduced on four consecutive issues of The Saturday Evening Post.  Freedom of Speech, Freedom to Worship, Freedom from Want and Freedom from Fear were so popular that they toured the United States and raised more than $130 million for the WWII effort.

Freedom from Fear

Freedom from Want

Freedom of Speech

Freedom to Worship

  The following are some of his favorite military covers (click on them to enlarge them):

"War Stories", October 13, 1945.  A war hero, holding a Japanese flag, tells tales of war,  The news article on the wall shows that the soldier is a local hero.  The Marine was Duane Parks from Dorset, Vermont.

"The Armchair General", April 29, 1944.  Tracing each advance and retreat is more than an interesting pastime with this gentleman.  The three-star service flag in the background shows he has a number of sons serving in the military.  The Blue star indicates each son is still alive, while if it were Gold, his son would have died in the line of duty.  Small photos of his three boys are displayed by the flag.  

"The Clubhouse Examination" is from June 16, 1917.  This cover shows a different kind of "recruitment center."  Even on tiptoes, the would-be soldier doesn't measure up to the necessary height.  

"Fisk WWI Soldier-Youth's Companion" is from July 26, 1917.  This is actually from a publication called The Youth's Companion and was a children's magazine published in Boston.  This was an ad drawn by Rockwell for something called "Fisk Boys Club".  It was a time that young boys could be part of the war effort by participating in bicycle patrols.

"Home at Last" is from September, 1945.  A restful snooze in a hammock on a quiet afternoon made family members who had soldiers fighting in the war wish they would return home.  Rockwell "borrowed" the sailor who had to return to active duty shortly after and had to borrow a sailor's uniform from another sailor.  Even the hammock and home were borrowed to allow him to do this painting.  The dog did belong to his son, Tommy, while the shoes belonged to Rockwell.

There have been many other paintings that reflected the war years, but these are some of Norman's favorites.  I have added a video that you may also find interesting.  And, once more, a big "Thank You" to all served the United States" to protect me and my family.  It was certainly appreciated.  it was another extraordinary day in the life of an ordinary guy.