On April 6, 1917, the United States of America joined the Allied forces in the “Great War,” or World War I. The people of Flatbush responded with great enthusiasm and nationalism to this declaration. On May 11, 1917, “Flatbush held its first big war meeting… at which several thousand residents united in a demonstration of loyalty and service.”[1] The meeting consisted of a patriotic parade and a formal meeting in which many speeches were given in support of the U.S. Men were urged to join the army or the navy and women to join the Red Cross. Home front efforts were also emphasized. The meeting ended with “a salute to the flag by the boy scouts and the singing of ‘The Star Spangled Banner.’”
World War I Liberty Bond Advertisement
In July 1917, the Flatbush Red Cross’s efforts were reported in The New York Times. One article reported that this branch of the organization had already shipped 39,000 surgical dressings to the Allies with about 30,000 more waiting to be shipped. Flatbush’s Red Cross also manufactured nearly 4,000 articles of clothing for soldiers abroad.[2]
[1] “Flatbush Heralds Her Patriotic Spirit,” The Brooklyn Daily Eagle, May 12, 1917.
[2] “Red Cross Magazine Lauds Allies’ Work.” The Brooklyn Daily Eagle, July 29, 1917.
