Who Were They?

This week’s Sepia Saturday prompt is from roughly the same time frame as my contribution, but illustrates how in just a few short years the world can change drastically. The prompt photo, below, is from circa 1910, and shows a woman quietly stitching on a flag. The image is romanticized. She is the lady at home caring for the details while her man is away. As the prompt suggests, the image is comforting, shows care and contentment.

And next we have a photograph of children with a flag in Ocean City, NJ, around 1915. In 1914 the Great War started with the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand and his wife Sophie while they were visiting Bosnia. While the US resisted being drawn into the conflagration, certainly it was on the minds of Americans who had family and friends back in Europe. This was a time of massive emigration from the Old Countries to the USA and many families had to leave loved ones behind until they could earn the passage to come over themselves. Additionally, Americans were welcomed into the armies of allies in Europe. All told, millions of people died, countries were decimated, cities were destroyed.

Some of the boys here have on caps and helmets, the mood is a bit more somber. These kids aren’t jubilant with patriotic fervor. They are showing their support and concern for Americans at war. In 1917, USA would officially enter the war.

This photo is from the private collection of my family, scanned by Cousin L. She had written on the back “Ocean City” but so far no one has identified any of these kids. This is a Velox real photo postcard.

For more flags from near and far, click the button below to Sepia Saturday. You will be happy you did!