Mary, Shirley and Beverly Cripe in "uniforms," 1942.
Children were especially susceptible to wartime propaganda. They took on their own military appearance, wearing the uniforms of the Boy Scouts, High School Victory Corps, and other organizations, which promoted participation in war-related activities. Some children even had replica uniforms from the different branches of service.
Little Orphan Annie, a popular comic strip character, encouraged children's participation in the war effort. She enlisted young people as "Junior Commandos." "Colonel Annie" recruited Nebraska children through the Nebraska State Journal. The paper publicized Annie's activities and encouraged children to sign the "Junior Commando Pledge," contribute their extra pennies for war stamps and war bonds, and collect scrap rubber and metal. Junior Commandos received armbands to how their participation. Promotions were based on the number of hours worked and the amount of material collected.
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The Home Front
