Free Vintage Post Cards for Memorial and Veterans Day
82
It's not necessarily traditional to send cards to US military veterans for Memorial Day and Veterans Day, but there's no reason not to start that tradition right now. After all, these brave men and women laid their lives on the line for us.
In March 2008, the 4,000th American was pronounced dead in the Iraq war. That means you might even know people who recently gave their lives for their country. So why not send our surviving veterans or the relatives of someone killed in battle one of the authentic old-fashioned cards on this page, either as an e-card or on the front of a postcard or greeting card. No matter how you feel about war, it's the least we can do to say thank you for those who put themselves in harm's way.
Download Memorial Day and Veterans Day Cards Here
Please read the Terms of Use (in the "Rules of the Road" box near the bottom of the page) regarding these images before downloading them.
To download, choose a small "thumbnail" version of any of the patriotic cards and click on it to produce a larger version. Then click on that to make an even larger image appear. You can then download that larger image by right-clicking and saving it to your hard drive (PC) or control-clicking it and saving it (Mac).
Looking for ways to honor those who served? Scroll down to see our gallery of tribute items, and links to more free veterans images and a site that provides services for veterans.
American Flags from Amazon
 | Amazon Price: $24.79 List Price: $39.99 |
 | Amazon Price: $2.50 List Price: $35.00 |
 | Amazon Price: $0.01 List Price: $35.00 |
 | Amazon Price: $39.10 List Price: $42.99 |
 | Amazon Price: $5.80 List Price: $27.85 |
 | Amazon Price: $7.49 List Price: $14.99 |
 | Amazon Price: $15.39 List Price: $26.92 |
 | Amazon Price: $0.01 List Price: $1.20 |
In Flanders Fields
The original inspiration for veterans to sell paper poppies for Memorial Day came from the famous poem below, which was written by John McCrae in 1915:
In Flanders Fields
In Flanders fields the poppies blow
Between the crosses, row on row
That mark our place; and in the sky
The larks, still bravely singing, fly
Scarce heard amid the guns below.
We are the Dead.
Short days ago
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
Loved and were loved, and now we lie In Flanders fields.
Take up our quarrel with the foe:
To you from failing hands we throw
The torch; be yours to hold it high.
If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow In Flanders fields.
In 1922 the Veterans of Foreign Wars became the first veterans' organization to sell poppies nationally for Memorial Day. Two years later their "Buddy" poppy program began selling artificial poppies made by disabled veterans.
★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Are You a Veteran Who Needs Benefits and Programs Assistance?
Check out the VetHelp Assistance for Veterans blog, which offers a wealth of information.
★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★
You Might Also Enjoy These Resources
- Free Veterans Day Clip Art
Click the link above to see original free Veterans Day clip art. - Vintage Veterans Day Greeting Cards
Click the link above to see more vintage art that honors veterans.
Flag Display Cases
 | Amazon Price: $114.95 |
 | Amazon Price: $29.95 List Price: $69.95 |
 | Amazon Price: $139.95 List Price: $349.95 |
 | Amazon Price: $11.95 List Price: $29.99 |
 | Amazon Price: $114.95 |
Products that Honor Veterans
 | Amazon Price: $123.93 List Price: $24.00 |
 | Chicken Soup for the Veteran's Soul: Stories to Stir the Pride and Honor the Courage of Our Veterans Amazon Price: $3.64 List Price: $14.95 |
 | Amazon Price: $13.95 |
 | Amazon Price: $14.95 |
 | Amazon Price: $9.95 |
 | Amazon Price: $7.58 List Price: $18.95 |
 | Amazon Price: $1.99 |
 | Amazon Price: $1.99 |
Another Way to Honor Our Veterans
Another way to honor veterans is by honoring the flag for which they fought. Here are the rules for displaying and handling the flag, according to the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW):
- The U.S. flag should be displayed from sunrise to sunset on buildings and stationary flagstaffs in the open, but when a patriotic effect is desired the flag may be displayed 24-hours a day if properly illuminated . Also, the flag should not be displayed in foul weather, except if it is an all-weather flag.
- It should fly above any other flag. the exception are flags of other nations, which should be flown at same height.
- When held in a parade, the U.S. flag should be to marchers right (observer's left).
- When displayed on a speaker's platform, it must be above and behind the speaker. If mounted on a staff it should be on the speaker's right.
- The flag should never be used for decoration. For bunting, use blue on top, then white, then red.
- To salute the flag, your head should be bare (women and military leave hats on), your right hand should be over your heart and you should be standing at attention.
- On special days the flag may be flown at half-staff. On Memorial Day it shuold be flown at half-staff until noon and then raised to full height.
- Do not let the flag touch the ground.
- Do not fly the flag upside down unless there is an emergency.
- Do not carry the flag flat or carry things in it.
- Do not use the flag as clothing.
- Do not store the flag where it can get dirty.
- Do not use it as a cover, unless it is on a coffin during a funeral.
- Do not fasten it or tie it back; always allow it to fall free.
- Do not draw on it or otherwise mark the flag.
Terms of Use
Other Patriotic WordPlay Hubs
CommentsLoading...
Thanks for your comment. I say, let's start a tradition!
Magic idea.
Our Veitnam Veterans took over twenty years to be recognised and honour in our Anzac Day late april.
Thank you for great idea.
During Viet Nam people got confused between hating the war and hating the people who were there because they were told they had to fight for their country. My brother went to Viet Nam when he was only 19, so I'm sensitized to the sacrifices soldiers had/have to make.
Great hub!
Wonderful hub! I come from a long line of military family members and this is a very sensitive subject to me. It enrages me to hear people cut down military and call them cruel names! If not for people like our soldiers, these people wouldn't have the freedom to make cruel remarks like that. They should remember that before criticizing soldiers for any reason! Thanks for this hub and thanks for honoring our military. And a special thanks for the beautiful cards!
Bonnie
Thanks, Hope!
Bonnie, I understand your frustration. I think some people lose perspective when it comes to war, because it's such an emotional topic. If the people who make rude remarks had family members in the military, they'd probably see it in a totally different way.
I want the free post cards but do not have a pc. Shall I give you my address:
Sgt. Hamilton. 1150 Capitol Drive, #84, San Pedro, CA 90732
Thank you sincerely.
Hi, Sgt. Hamilton. These can also be downloaded onto a Mac or any other type of computer. If you have a Mac, just control-click the image until you get a pop-up menu that gives you the option to save it.
what is free well free is 0$ so what is 100 free postcards sale when you say free its free
Hi Al. I assume you're referring to one of the ads on the page when you mentioned the postcards. They have nothing to do with the images I provide, which are totally free. To see for yourself, simply click on any of the vintage images I posted and download it to your computer. There will be nothing that stops you and asks you to pay.
The ads you referred to are there as a way for HubPages and me to make money, but it's by no means mandatory that you click on them. You can compare them to commercials on TV. You can leave the room or you can watch them, but either way you don't have to buy anything if you don't want to.
As an aside, I don't really like those postcard ads, but I don't have complete control over which ads are displayed.
A great hub indeed and I enjoyed visiting it and reading comments of other fellows. Since I am myself a keen collector World War I & II Field Post Cards & Covers I enjoyed this site and wish you keep it continued for enthusiasts like me in the world. Hurrah !
Y M Kakar, Philatelist & Freelance Philatelic Journalist,
P O Box - 18, Quetta-87300. Pakistan.
Thanks for your comment, Y M. It's much appreciated! :-)
Since I last recorded my comments, I have been there in the stamps market searching for old forces cards. Thanks God I have been able to buy some new for my collection as also during this period I received some more from my overseas pals in friendly exchange. That means I am fully in this hobby now. I think it a big contribution to the war veterans.
Y M Kakar,
Philatelist & Freelance Philatelic Journalist,
P O Box-18,
Quetta-87300.
PAKISTAN.
Hi again, YM. I'm so glad you're working to preserve these wonderful old cards. I'm sure you must have quite a collection! Thanks for your efforts. :-)
Hello everyone there again ! My efforts are still on for securing new cards for my collection not only from the local market as also in exchange from my overseas pals. This time I received three Field Post covers with original letters inside and one can wonder what the texts could be ?
Let us keep it high and preserve it for our next generations.
Allah Hafiz/Goodbye.
Y M Kakar,
Kotwalwala,
P O Box-18,
Quetta-87300
PAKISTAN.
How wonderful to have those letters. Thanks for sharing your ongoing collection experiences. :-)
Hi dear friend, seems I am the only one on the ground to play as I amy like ? But I am still after old postcards and a bit luck to have found a few new items for my collection. These are this time censored covers from World War-II and I feel proud in displaying them in my album pages. So let us keep our efforts on to preserve the postal history. Bye !!
Censored covers from WWII certainly sound interesting! I wish I could see them.
My efforts for obtaining these interesting peaces are still on and thanks God I am not disappointed and get something every month. Thanks to my senior and experienced overseas pals who share there stocks with me. I am grateful to all of them since we are all working for one cause i.e to preserve the history of mails through these vintage postcards. Wish you all good luck.Y M Kakar, P O Box-18, Quetta-87300. Pakistan.
Lovely old post cards, and heartfelt sentiments in your writing. Thanks for sharing this.
You're welcome. Thanks for your comment, RedElf. :-)
In The Doghouse 4 years ago
I think this is a fabulous idea. Wonderful old cards too! Thanks.