In 1942 the US Office of Civilian Defense provided "V-Home Certificates" to American families that were proactive in supporting the war. The certificates read:
We in this home are fighting...we solemnly pledge all our energies and all our resources to fight for freedom and against fascism. We serve notice to all that we are personally carrying the fight to the enemy, in these ways:
I. This home follows the instructions of its air-raid warden...
II. This home conserves food, clothing, transportation, and health, in order to hasten an unceasing flow of war materials to our men at the front.
III. This home salvages essential material, in order that they may be converted to immediate war uses.
IV. This home refuses to spread rumors designed to divide our Nation.
V. This home buys War Savings Stamps and Bonds regularly.
We are doing these things because we know we must Win This War.
Contrast this to the current "I've Got Your Six" campaign, which we see advertised on television, in which celebrities like Tom Hanks hold a lapel pin and say to the camera, "I've Got Your Six." This latest campaign is meant to create a better understanding between the military and civilians, but unlike the "V-Home Certificates" it is not asking for any sacrifice on the part of Americans not participating in military operations, war, etc., divesting people, in many ways, from any connection to what our soldiers are doing abroad. How sad. It is commendable that the I've Got Your Six campaign aims to educate civilians about the military, but it still relegates them to a passive status. You will find no one salvaging essential materials for the war effort or buying War Savings Stamps and Bonds, etc.
It is a different era with different interpretations of supporting military efforts. I think I much prefer the certificate to the lapel pin.
We in this home are fighting...we solemnly pledge all our energies and all our resources to fight for freedom and against fascism. We serve notice to all that we are personally carrying the fight to the enemy, in these ways:
I. This home follows the instructions of its air-raid warden...
II. This home conserves food, clothing, transportation, and health, in order to hasten an unceasing flow of war materials to our men at the front.
III. This home salvages essential material, in order that they may be converted to immediate war uses.
IV. This home refuses to spread rumors designed to divide our Nation.
V. This home buys War Savings Stamps and Bonds regularly.
We are doing these things because we know we must Win This War.
Contrast this to the current "I've Got Your Six" campaign, which we see advertised on television, in which celebrities like Tom Hanks hold a lapel pin and say to the camera, "I've Got Your Six." This latest campaign is meant to create a better understanding between the military and civilians, but unlike the "V-Home Certificates" it is not asking for any sacrifice on the part of Americans not participating in military operations, war, etc., divesting people, in many ways, from any connection to what our soldiers are doing abroad. How sad. It is commendable that the I've Got Your Six campaign aims to educate civilians about the military, but it still relegates them to a passive status. You will find no one salvaging essential materials for the war effort or buying War Savings Stamps and Bonds, etc.
It is a different era with different interpretations of supporting military efforts. I think I much prefer the certificate to the lapel pin.
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