---
title: Keep 'em Smiling with Letters from Folks and Friends
url: https://propagandaarchive.org/collection/keep-em-smiling-with-letters-vfw-auxiliary-1941/
description: Three smiling servicemen, an Army soldier, a sailor and a Marine, read letters against red crayon-style rays. Tagged by technique, with source and rights.
section: Collection
---

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3. Keep 'em Smiling with Letters from Folks and Friends

[![Keep 'em Smiling with Letters from Folks and Friends, 1941 US poster: Three smiling servicemen, an Army soldier, a sailor](https://propagandaarchive.org/collection/images/keep-em-smiling-with-letters-vfw-auxiliary-1941.jpg)](https://propagandaarchive.org/collection/images/keep-em-smiling-with-letters-vfw-auxiliary-1941.jpg)

# Keep 'em Smiling with Letters from Folks and Friends

Three smiling servicemen, an Army soldier, a sailor and a Marine, read letters against red crayon-style rays. The headline and 'Write today and often' ask civilians to send mail to the forces. The shared smiles show the effect the letters are said to have, an appeal built on ordinary relationships rather than argument (plain-folks).

## Propaganda techniques used in this poster

[Plain folks](https://propagandaarchive.org/techniques/plain-folks/) [Bandwagon](https://propagandaarchive.org/techniques/bandwagon/)

## Text on the object

Original (English) · read from the image, not independently checked

```
Keep 'em Smiling
with LETTERS
FROM FOLKS AND FRIENDS!
Write TODAY AND OFTEN
Ladies Auxiliary TO THE
VETERANS OF FOREIGN WARS of U.S.
DO YOUR BIT FOR VICTORY—GIVE THIS POSTER PROMINENT DISPLAY
[signature:] Syd Bekell
[imprint:] [illegible printer's mark]
```

[← Keep 'em Rolling! (Tanks)](https://propagandaarchive.org/collection/keep-em-rolling-tanks-1941/) [Keep These Hands Off! Buy the New Victory Bonds →](https://propagandaarchive.org/collection/keep-these-hands-off-victory-bonds-1941/)

## More propaganda examples that use the same techniques

- [Trois Tetes sous l'meme bonnet (three heads under the same cap)](https://propagandaarchive.org/collection/trois-tetes-sous-le-meme-bonnet-1789/) (France · 1789 · Plain folks, Glittering generalities)
- ['This log cabin was the first building erected on the North Bend', Whig print by T. Sinclair, 1840](https://propagandaarchive.org/collection/harrison-north-bend-log-cabin-sinclair-1840/) (United States · 1840 · Plain folks, Transfer)
- [Treeing Coons (pro-Polk cartoon), 1844](https://propagandaarchive.org/collection/treeing-coons-polk-1844/) (United States · 1844 · Name-calling, Plain folks)
- [Zachary Taylor, People's Candidate for President (Currier banner), 1848](https://propagandaarchive.org/collection/taylor-fillmore-peoples-candidate-1848/) (United States · 1848 · Plain folks, Glittering generalities)
- ['Little Mac.' (from the Democratic presidential campaign songster)](https://propagandaarchive.org/collection/little-mac-song-sheet-feeks-1864/) (United States · 1864 · Bandwagon, Plain folks)
- [The peoples' choice, H. Greeley G. Brown](https://propagandaarchive.org/collection/peoples-choice-greeley-brown-1872/) (United States · 1872 · Bandwagon, Plain folks)
- [The working-man's banner. For President, Ulysses S. Grant, 'The Galena Tanner.' For Vice-President, Henry Wilson, 'The Natick Shoemaker.'](https://propagandaarchive.org/collection/working-mans-banner-grant-1872/) (United States · 1872 · Plain folks, Transfer)
- [The Chappaqua farmer](https://propagandaarchive.org/collection/chappaqua-farmer-1872/) (United States · Jul 1872 · Plain folks, Glittering generalities)