America's Welcome Home by Henry van Dyke
A patriotic work celebrating the return of a nation's warriors after a great battle. The text extols the bravery and sacrifice of those who fought on foreign battlefields, emphasizing their role in defending human rights and freedom alongside allied nations. The soldiers are depicted as messengers of a noble creed, having borne the national ideal of brotherhood and liberty across hostile lands. The work contrasts the harsh realities of war—the “grisly horror” encountered on the battlefields—with the promised peace and beauty of home, where the air is described as full of sunlight and the flag resplendent with stars. It rewards their valor by welcoming them, both the living and the departed, into a realm of renewal, peace, and national pride. Victory is portrayed as a moral and physical conquest over the forces of tyranny, and the homecoming serves as a powerful reminder of the nation's enduring commitment to freedom and justice.
By Henry van Dyke · First published 1918 · Genre: Patriotic Poetry, War Poetry, Historical Poetry · 348 words
First lines
Oh, gallantly they fared forth in khaki and in blue, / America's crusading host of warriors bold and true; / They battled for the rights of man beside our brave Allies, / And now they're coming home to us with glory in their eyes.
Oh, it's home again, and home again, America for me!
Genres
- Patriotic Poetry — Central focus on national pride and the celebration of American soldiers returning home.
- War Poetry — Emphasizes the combat, sacrifice, and historical battle imagery drawing from World War I experiences.
- Historical Poetry — Reflects on the historical context and events of wartime, particularly surrounding America's role.
- Nationalistic Literature — Promotes a strong sense of American identity and unity through its lyrical narrative.
Tags
patriotism · national pride · heritage · nostalgia · identity · homecoming · cultural celebration · inspiration · reflection · unity · spirituality · tradition
What this Textopian page supports
America's Welcome Home is listed on Textopian as a short story by Henry van Dyke, dated 1918 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Short story
- Author: Henry van Dyke
- Date: 1918 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Patriotic Poetry, War Poetry, Historical Poetry, Nationalistic Literature, Inspirational Poetry
- Length: 348 words
- Structure: 1 section, 13 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Fairly Easy (7th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for America's Welcome Home by Henry van Dyke
- Canonical title URL and first readable passage URL
- Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
- Readability and classroom-planning context
- Passage-specific claims should cite the exact /read/ URL for the relevant chapter or paragraph