Saluting the Flag by Norman Rockwell

May 12, 1917 Issue of The Saturday Evening Post

Saluting the Flag, this Norman Rockwell painting, appeared on the cover of The Saturday Evening Post published May 12, 1917.

An alternate title for this painting is Ready to Serve.

This painting was Rockwell's eighth overall picture out of 322 featured on the cover of The Post. Rockwell's career with the Post spanned 47 years, from his first cover illustration, Boy With Baby Carriage in 1916 to his last, Portrait of John F. Kennedy, in 1963.

This was also the second Rockwell cover in 1917. The Post featured a Rockwell illustration on its cover four times in 1917.

Saluting the Flag has also been reproduced in two Rockwell commentary books, as illustration 105 of and on page 76 of Norman Rockwell, A Definitive Catalogue by Laurie Norton Moffatt.

This magazine cover, like all Rockwell's earlier published works, is hard to find in pristine (VF or better) condition. The higher grades generally sell for more than one hundred dollars, sometimes much more. I have only seen a very few of this one in cpondition good enough for me to want to own it. Each time, the price as beyond my budgeted price.

Saluting the Flag

Here is Rockwell's Memorial Day illustration from 1917.

Memorial Day was originally celebrated to remember Union soldiers who died during the United States Civil War.

The three characters in this painting are all saluting the flag as it passes in a parade. All three are looking upward at the flag. We can even see the shadow of the flag on the young lady's dress.

The young lady wears a white dress, probably because it is a springtime color. She also wears a flag pin on her lapel.

The Boy Scout is giving the three fingered Boy Scout salute.

The focus of the painting, however, is the old veteran. He has removed his hat in honor of the flag. His hat is an Army officer's hat. On his lapel is a red and white Memorial ribbon.

The most telling detail in the painting, however, is the medal pinned on his chest. The pin is an eagle with red and white ribbon connecting to a upside-down star. Which war was he fighting in when he earned this medal? We can only speculate.

Update: The answer is below.

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