Jewish Welfare Board postcard

This postcard was sent home to America by a serviceman deployed to France during World War I. The preprinted message on this postcard provided by the Jewish Welfare League wishes the recipient Purim greetings, marking a Jewish holiday. It also outlines that the sender is in France fighting for peace and shows an American and French flag tied together behind a Star of David.

During World War I pre-printed stationery was issued free of charge by the Jewish Welfare Board to serviceman stationed abroad. Other non-profit organizations did likewise, including the American Red Cross, the YMCA, the Knights of Columbus and the Salvation Army. The idea was to reassure families in the United States of the wellbeing of servicemen and to encourage the servicemen to communicate regularly with their families. The military supported this initiative as it was widely believed to increase morale. Like other military mail, messages written on this charitable stationery could be mailed free of charge and were subject to censorship.

References

Sanford, Hennen M. The Mail of the A.E.F. American Expeditionary Forces. The American Philatelic Society, Maryland, 1940.