Joliet Remembers The 1940s

December 7, 1941

This ad appeared in the Joliet Herald News on Sunday December 7, 1941.  This edition of the paper was distributed to subscribers before the attack on Pearl Harbor occurred.
 

The text below the picture of Uncle Sam reads as follows:

We can't all serve in the armed forces of the country, but we can make this nation strong by doing our daily tasks to the utmost of your ability.

Right now our nation is engaged in building a strong national defense . . . in fact thousands of our friends and neighbors are engaged in munition plants here and industry that are actually manufacturing war material.

Only as Uncle Sam is strong can we be safe and prosperous. One and all, we're for America . . . of America . . . living the American way to protect and serve in any emergency.

Defense! Just what does that mean? Complete adequate physical armament in weapons and men, to defend our country against invading foes? Yes--all that! But much more

The defense we build must be enduring as well as adequate. It must be based upon convictions and determination --upon the desire of all our people to co-operate. And everyone can aid in building complete defense and good business in America.

We can all help by doing our jobs better . . . working harder, more efficiently and seeing that nothing in any way disturbs our defense effort.

We can all help too -- purchasing here in Joliet all the things we need. Americans buy more than the meager necessities of life. They buy and enjoy the extras . . . the comforts that add to their well being and contentment.

Our nation's prosperity was built on the steady turn-over of money and merchandise,  As long as possible it is "good business' to buy what we need and want--to help pay the cost of defense--to defend our American Standards of living. But there are other ways we can all help make America Strong.  And all of them are "good business."

It takes more than men and munitions to safeguard a nation.  It takes the full co-operation of all people of the nation, for the nation . . . readiness to for any sacrifice if and when it is needed.

So--every true American will help Uncle Sam in every way he can.  Helping him helps everything.

You Can Help

    1.  By doing your job better
           working more efficiently . . . speeding up production

    2.  By buying what you need and want
        --unless Uncle Sam asks you to do otherwise.

    3.  By promoting Americanism
         --taking it . . . guarding it . . . defending it.

    4.  By buying U.S. Defense Bonds and Stamps
         -- serving your country in time of need.

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Joliet Remembers the 1940s was written and produced by Leslie Eggman, Roger Gambrel, and  Jack Tegel.