TELL THEM THAT THE YANKS HAVE ARRIVED

CAPE GIRARDEAU - Here in the Cape Girardeau-Jackson area, as elsewhere in the United States, the national banner is flying high. Large numbers of yellow ribbon decorate buildings, homes, trees, posts, doorways and residents wear bows of the ribbon pinned to their clothing.

This is their outward expression of concern and their loyal support for our troops who are fighting in Operation Desert Storm for the freedom and human rights of people in the Persian Gulf area, who now know that the Yanks have arrived.

The rapid and massive display of loyalty on the part of Americans is a built-in reaction characteristic of the race. It began when our nation was born and has continued throughout the country's history. World War I is remembered by many of the senior citizens because they fought in that war and in World War II, and they can appreciate the anguish of families, and loved ones for the safety of the men and women who have left to serve this country in a time of need.

During World War I, the soldiers had their pictures taken on the steps at the south entrance of the Cape Girardeau County Courthouse. Pictures of different units are on file, and recall their leave taking later in the day on the Jackson Branch train.

There was much about World War I and World War II that took place almost immediately for residents on the home front here, and across the country. People were issued food ration books because food supplies had to be shared with other allied nations who had been fighting before the United States joined the war, in 1917. These countries were in short supply of many things since the war for them began in 1914.

President Wilson had seen what the German submarine was doing to shipping and knew America would be drawn into the war. Submarines were patrolling America's east coast. Kaiser Wilhelm, and later Adolph Hitler, reasoned that taking the world by surprise before any of the other powers could assemble troops and supplies would let them become masters of the universe.

When President Wilson saw war was eminent, he enlisted some of the country's most talented and successful businessmen to chair various important committees and war operations. Hoover was in charge of Food Production and Supplies. He performed his work so well neither this country or our allies ran out of food. The men who served in the Wartime cabinet were called "Dollar-a-year men" because they received only a dollar a year salary. They gave of their service as volunteers.

Women were given wartime cookbooks and cooking classes conducted by the Red Cross taught housewives how to cook without using eggs, lard, meat, sugar, white flour, butter, using less coffee, and tea, and less soap. It was the beginning of detergents for washing, discovered and used first in Germany. There was no chlorine for bleaching clothes white, because that was used in making gas for chemical warfare, also developed and used by the Germans and copied by other nations.

Artists lent their talents to make posters that told in impressive pictures what the public was expected to do to support the war effort. Because of the number of posters, World War I was called "The Poster War," although about as many were used in World War II. The most famous poster was "Uncle Sam Needs You!"

It was painted by James Montgomery Flagg who used himself as a model. Looking into a mirror he painted his reflection on his canvas. The poster continues to be used and hangs in recruiting stations and post offices.

Songwriters contributed war songs of such quality and spirit they have remained popular and are used for assemblies and conventions and other get-togethers.

Movie stars and actors promoted the sale of Liberty and Victory bonds in both wars, and banks backed the bonds that were redeemed after the war with interest. Children purchased Thrift Stamps every Friday afternoon at school for 25 cents a stamp. When a card was filled, it was turned into a baby bond that was half the cost of a $18.75 bond that was redeemed at a given time for $25.

Heavy clothing was used in winter and long underwear worn so houses did not need as much heat, because ships needed coal. Shoes were half soled because the army needed leather for soldier's shoes. Almost every American household had a wartime garden.

Women learned to knit with yarn supplied by the Red Cross in khaki and navy colors for articles of clothing soldiers needed in the trenches and on ships. Children learned to knit squares that were joined into knee throws for hospitals; they also collected tinfoil from wrappers for use in making bullets. Junk was collected for shrapnel in bombs.

Americans knew there was a war to be fought and won, and they lent their support to do the job.