Page title showing a yellowed grungy background with a logo which reads "From Trenches to Triumph U.S.A." The logo is circular in shape with a red, white and blue upper border and a red, yellow and blue lower border. Below the logo is text in navy blue which reads "The Salvation Army in World War I"
Photo of a pin on brass medal with red ribbon. The medal is circular and features a male and female Salvation Army War Service workers in front of a hut.
United States Salvation Army World War I Service Medal, 1919 This medal was presented to Captain Cecil Burdick for her overseas service during World War I. Gift of Pamela Feack in memory of Floyd O. "Pa" and Samantha Minerva "Minnie/ Ma" Saunders Burdick, Cecil Mae Burdick Goodwin, Grace Belle Burdick Yates, and Fern Ann Goodwin Feack
Black and white photo showing people in a chapel or lecture hall. Two Doughnut Girls and two male Salvation Army officers are on the stage.
Salvation Army Lassies Ensign Grace Beacraft & Adjutant Celia McDougall at their home corps of Flint (Citadel), MI corps.
Black and white photograph showing a float with Salvation Army War Service Workers and Army veterans
Ensigns “Ma” & “Pa” Burdick on a parade Float. Gift of Pamela Feack in memory of Floyd O. "Pa" and Samantha Minerva "Minnie/ Ma" Saunders Burdick, Cecil Mae Burdick Goodwin, Grace Belle Burdick Yates, and Fern Ann Goodwin Feack

… To Triumph

With the declaration of an armistice on November 11, 1918, combat ceased, securing the military triumph of the U.S. and its allies. World War I officially ended seven months later with the signing of the Treaty of Versailles on June 28, 1919.

The Salvation Army enjoyed a triumph of its own. Soldiers wrote letters home praising the Salvationists they met while in service. Newspapers published hundreds of stories commending the dedication of the War Service workers and detailed the the hardships they endured.

Popular secular songs praised the Salvation Army Lassies and reminded listeners to donate to The Salvation Army. Because of this widespread national praise, Americans gained a new appreciation for The Salvation Army. This allowed the Army to become one of the country’s largest and most trusted non-profit organizations.

 

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