(Bugle) Call of Duty

World War I-era United States Army buglers.

Prior to World War I, the then-48 states of the Union were in charge of recruitment efforts for the United States Armed Forces. As the U.S. entered World War I, the federal government took on those responsibilities with the passage of the Selective Service Act of 1917. Americans soon noted a shift in how they would be encouraged to both support the military efforts and ultimately join the Armed Forces. As the war effort escalated, artists turned to creating posters intended to stir the hearts of loyal Americans and encourage able-bodied men to flood the armed forces recruiting offices. Many of those recruitment posters utilized the bugle as a major visual element, tugging at the heartstrings to arouse the patriotic passion in men to enlist in the military. While the posters were also intended to demonstrate support for the troops, another goal was to encourage public support for sending troops overseas to fight for freedom and other American ideals. Other allies of the United States utilized similar artwork to garner support from their own citizens. On this Veterans Day, we honor all veterans whose sacrifices paved the way for the freedoms we now enjoy. Take a look at these patriotic posters from the days of World War I and note how the bugle abounds. The images of the instrument were considered vital to the war efforts then, and the stirring passion of brass continues to unite us as drum corps fans.