World War I Centennial News
As part of the garrison's centennial celebration Oct. 19, 2018, Fort Benning, Georgia, officially opened a recreation of the training trenches the U.S. Army Infantry School used on post nearly 100 years ago. (U.S. Army photo by Markeith Horace, Maneuver Center of Excellence, Fort Benning Public Affairs) (Photo Credit: Mr. Markeith Horace (Benning))
BENNING at 100: Trench recreation opens near site of former WWI trench training
By Bryan Gatchell (Ft. Benning)
via the army.mil web site
FORT BENNING, Ga. — As part of the garrison's centennial celebration Oct. 19, 2018, Fort Benning, Georgia, officially opened a recreation of the training trenches the U.S. Army Infantry School used on post nearly 100 years ago.
The new trench, which the Directorate of Public Works dug out recently, is meant to educate visitors about the post's previous training mission. It is a short walk from a small portion of the original training trenches that many decades had weathered and overgrown.
Camp Benning was established at a site near Columbus, Georgia, Oct. 19, 1918, after the Infantry School staff and students arrived from Fort Sill, Oklahoma. Part of the training they conducted was in trench warfare.
Brig. Gen. David M. Hodne, the current U.S. Army Infantry School commandant, cut the ribbon on the new trench at the site across from the Bass and 1st Division roads intersection.
"One of the first missions of the Infantry School was to train leaders for units expected to fight in the trenches in France and in Belgium," said Hodne. "When discovered less than one year ago, these trenches were found to be remarkably well preserved. These restored and recreated trenches represent one of the earliest reminders why the Infantry School was moved to Columbus, Georgia."
Col. Alfred C. Arnold, a recipient of two Distinguished Service Crosses in World War I, designed the trench around what was proven effective on the battlefield of that world war. As warfare became more mechanized in the interbellum period, the need to train Soldiers on trench warfare became less important. Armored vehicles proved too powerful for entrenchment as a defensive strategy. Fort Benning continued to use the trenches in modified ways, but ultimately the Army ceased using them, and the the trench system at Fort Benning, which extended for more than three miles in total length, fell into disuse.
Read more: Trench recreation opens near site of former WWI trench training
From the World War I Centennial News Podcast
Events: Maestro Rik Ghesquiere and 'The Great War in Music'
In October 19th's WW1 Centennial News Podcast, Episode 94, host Theo Mayer spoke with Maestro Rik Ghesquiere, a Belgian conductor participating in a special WW1 commemorative event in Nashville on November 10th and 11th. The following is a transcript of the interview, edited for clarity:
Theo Mayer: T
Maestro Ghesquiere is a Belgian conductor here's a musical event planned for Nashville, Tennessee, that reaches across the Atlantic to invite some Belgium musicians to America's country music capital, Nashville. But It's not a country music event that's being planned. Maestro Rik Ghesquiere, and several members of the Brussel's Philharmonic Orchestra are bringing over an inspiring international musical event, 'The Great War In Music,' which will play in Nashville the weekend of November 10 and 11. Calling in from Belgium and with us today is Maestro Rik Ghesquiere. Maestro, welcome to the podcast.
Maestro Rik Ghesquiere: Hi Theo. I'm very honored to be a guest in your program.
Theo Mayer: Maestro, how did this concert in Tennessee happen? Can you tell us the story?
Maestro Rik Ghesquiere: Actually it's a fantastic story, the major conductor in France, Maestro John Carlo Kereru, is a regular guest as conductor at the Brussels philharmonic. And he's of course also the big Maestro of the National Symphony. I regularly play the trumpet in the famous Belgian orchestra and besides that I'm the chief conductor from the Brussels philharmonic and also a freelance conductor traveling internationally. Then via Facebook I became friends Digilesta who has an extraordinary relationship with the Parthenon [in Nashville]. Together with Digi we made the plan to put the remembrance of WWI in the picture in a concert with musicians actually from the home front.
From the World War I Centennial News Podcast
All About Pigeons: Andrew Blechman
In October 19th's WW1 Centennial News Podcast, Episode 93, host Theo Mayer spoke with journalist and renowned pigeon expert Andrew Blechman, a name that we frequently encountered while researching pigeons for Episode 92. In the interview, Mr. Blechman answered questions about this unique bird, its long relationship with humanity, and of course, how the pigeon impacted the War that Changed the World.
Theo Mayer: A few weeks ago, we did a segment for WW1 Tech about pigeons. It tied in with the famous Cher Ami and the Lost Battalion and we got a lot of feedback about those birds. Apparently listeners' heads have been bobbing up and down as they picked at a bunch of unanswered questions. Well, in the research for that story, one expert name kept coming up over and over again: Andrew Blackman. So here as a followup is Mr. Blechman himself. Andrew Blechman is an award winning journalist who's been a reporter for The Los Angeles Times and The Des Moines Register. His work has also appeared in the Smithsonian Magazine, The New York Times, and the International Herald Tribune among others, and one of his books has become the sort of pigeon reference guide. It's titled Pigeons: The Fascinating Saga of the World's Most Revered and Reviled Birds. Andrew, welcome.
Andrew Blechman: Happy to be here.
Theo Mayer: Andrew, we talked about this interview in our editorial meeting and I think we're as fascinated by pigeons as the rest of the world. Starting with your book title, why are pigeons revered and reviled?
Andrew Blechman: Well, it's interesting. For the vast majority of recorded history they've been revered. Mesopotamians mentioned them in their cuneiform tablets, the Egyptian hieroglyphs. They were seen as fertility symbols. They were the first domesticated bird. They've been used all through human history. Messages were sent up and down the Nile about flood levels and they've been used during all sorts of wars to help us. Josh Reuters started his news gathering organization on the backs of pigeons.
Stories from Bells of Peace participants: Atlantic County Veterans Museum, NJ
“It's a wonderful way to bring people together from all over the country to honor the veterans."
By Wanxing Niu
Staff Writer
Getting closer to November 11th, more and more organizations and individuals have signed up to join the Bells of Peace. Among 179 organizations, Atlantic County Veterans Museum was one of the them who are willing to toll bells with us in remembrance of sons and daughters who served and sacrificed during World War I.
The historic Daniel Estell House is the home of the Atlantic County Veterans Museum. (Photo: Hannah Fox, thehammontonnews.com)Located at Estell Manor, New Jersey, the museum has opened since June 2017 featuring the history of the United States military and many military events from the American Revolution to the present, according to museum’s social media account.
“I received an email from the New Jersey Historical Commission,” Kimberly Brown, an administrator at Atlantic County Office of Cultural and Heritage Affairs in the museum, said in an email.
“It's a wonderful way to bring people together from all over the country to honor the veterans who served and sacrificed their lives for freedom,” she said.
Atlantic County has a long tradition in memorizing soldiers who served in wars. Back in 2002, the County published a book entitled Call to Duty: Recollections of Atlantic County Veterans, including more than 300 personal accounts and photographs of Atlantic County veterans. Other World War I related displays also featured within the museum.
Charles Wesley Price, who was born and raised in Pleasantville, NJ, was the first Atlantic County resident to die in World War I. He enlisted at the age of 15 and served with the 8th Co., 5th Regiment of the US Marines, the "Fighting Fifth," two years in Mexico and Nicaragua and then was sent to France in 1917, according to the book.
Price was killed in the trenches during the Aisne defense in a machine gun engagement at Belleau Woods on June 4, 1918.
Read more: Stories from Bells of Peace participants: Atlantic County Veterans Museum
David Shuey: Remembering the consummate Living Historian
By Anthony C. Hayes
via the Baltimore Post-Examiner web site
Carlisle, PA — There is a WWII uniform hanging in my closet which wasn’t there six months ago. The badges on the epaulets may say “U.S. War Correspondent,” but please know this: it is not a theatrical costume. I actually wear that uniform, as well as other pieces I’ve assembled, in my work as a journalist while covering living history events. For the longest time, I hesitated to go reenactor gonzo with my job. Then David Shuey – actor, reenactor and living historian – told me, “You know, I could talk all day about Gen. Pershing or Jeb Stuart and the Civil War, and no one would give a damn. But once I put on a uniform and get on my horse, I have their undivided attention.”
And so he did.
I first encountered Dave in Washington D.C. at the 2015 Air Force Association Convention. I was there that day to do a followup story on the late Jerry Yellin – the Army Air Force pilot who led the last combat mission against the Japanese during WWII. Jerry was set to receive the Association’s 2015 Hoyt S. Vandenberg Award.
To say I first “encountered” Dave that day is no misnomer. With his smart service cap, four gold stars, calf-high riding boots, khaki britches, and mustard green tunic – David Shuey clearly stood out amongst a sea of Air Force blue. I followed Dave from the auditorium, where he watched as the association presented Jerry with the award, across the hall, down the escalator, and into the exposition area. There I lost him – until I turned a corner and found Dave and Chris Isleib manning the U.S. World War I Centennial Commission booth. Of course, once I got to the booth, Dave’s entire getup made perfect sense.
Read more: David Shuey: Remembering the consummate Living Historian
Falls Township in PA adopts ‘Bells of Peace’ proclamation
via the Bucks Local News (PA) web site
FALLS TOWNSHIP — Veterans Day will have extra meaning this November. The Remembrance Day falls on the 100th anniversary of the signing of the Armistice agreement, which ended the fighting in World War I.
The significance of the anniversary isn’t lost on the Falls Township Supervisors, who unanimously approved a Bells of Peace Proclamation at the request of the United States World War One Centennial Commission. The proclamation asks that everyone toll bells at 11 a.m. on Nov. 11 in remembrance of the 4.7 million people who served in World War I.
In all, WWI claimed the lives of 116,516 Americans and wounded 200,000.
The Falls Supervisors adopted the proclamation at the suggestion of Chairman Bob Harvie, a history teacher at the Bucks County Technical High School.
“It was the way that World War I ended that set the stage for World War II,” Harvie said, adding that the link between World War I is apparent with future conflicts as well, including, the Korean War and the Cold War. The redrawn boundaries led to “many tensions” in Saudi Arabia and Iraq also. “It continues to this day in many ways.”
Read more: Falls Township in PA adopts ‘Bells of Peace’ proclamation
The Money Museum has a great WWI Exhibit — with a Brand-New Virtual Exhibit online
By Rodney Gillis
via the Money Museum web site
Called “The Great War” and more optimistically “The War to End All Wars,” World War I was an event that changed the world’s political map and the fabric of civilization.
To honor the 100th anniversary of United States involvement in World War I, the Money Museum, operated by the American Numismatic Association (ANA) and located adjacent to Colorado College, is unveiling its newest exhibit: Trenches to Treaties: World War I in Remembrance.
The exhibit showcases coins and paper money from combatant nations, art medals and military decorations, as well as weapons and uniforms to illustrate the events and effects of World War I politically, economically and socially.
Notable artifacts on display include rare military decorations (awarded for heroism) such as the U.S. Congressional Medal of Honor and the French Croix de guerre; personal items soldiers carried in the field; dog tags, military badges and insignia; propaganda and satirical medals; plus a trench that replicates the front lines of battle.
"Trenches to Treaties explores World War I with money and beautiful, thought-provoking medals. Themes range from finance, propaganda, art and commemoration,” said Money Museum Director and Curator Doug Mudd. “Exciting interactives include a life-size trench and operating morse code keys as used in trench communications. Come learn about the crash of the gold standard, merchant submarines and the role of pigeons!"
Now -- The Money Museum offers a remarkable new Virtual Numismatic Exhibit, as a companion to Trenches to Treaties. This new online exhibit for Trenches to Treaties: World War I in Remembrance can be found here: https://www.money.org/money-museum/virtual-exhibits/wwi
This exhibit runs through November 2018.
Read more: The Money Museum has a great WWI Exhibit -- with a Brand-New Virtual Exhibit online
Nebraska players will wear this "leather" helmet in the game against Illinois on November 10.
With a 'leather' helmet, Husker alternates inspired by uniform worn during Memorial Stadium's first season
By Sam McKewon
via the Omaha World-Herald newspaper web site
Devine Ozigbo liked the helmet.
“I like what they did with the decal, to make it look like a leatherhead,” he said. “That’s pretty cool.”
Indeed, the leather helmet look is the most notable design item in Nebraska’s newest Adidas alternate uniform, which will be worn for the Nov. 10 game against Illinois.
Designed to commemorate Veterans Day, Memorial Stadium and the 100th anniversary of the end of World War I, NU’s alternates look nothing like the flashy, futuristic uniforms they wore 2012-2016 and, while similar to the 1997 replicas Nebraska donned last season, feature a dramatically different helmet and a well-known statement stitched into the back of the red jersey that comes right from the facade of Memorial Stadium.
“Not the victory but the action; Not the goal but the game; In the deed the glory,” is written in small capital letters where the name of the player would normally be.
The uniform, though modern in construction and fabric, is intended to look like the uniforms Nebraska wore when Memorial Stadium opened in 1923. The front of the jersey, according to an Adidas press release, is “tonal” and “paneled,” while the pants are “designed to resemble the first facade of Memorial Stadium.” The numbers and fonts are “inspired” by the first game clock used in Memorial Stadium.
But the helmet is the standout. It’s designed to replicate a leather helmet. The primary surface appears dimpled, the way a leather helmet would be, with strap decals laid over the top. The classic N has been removed from the helmet for the first time since the 2009 Louisiana game, when Nebraska celebrated its 300th sellout with 1962 throwbacks that featured just numbers.
New Hello Girls Musical Play to debut in NYC
By Madison Menz
Staff Writer
The Hello Girls were a group of women sworn into the United States Army who served their country by managing the switchboards during World War I. Being billingual in both French and English telephone operators they were stationed in France shown to have been an extensive help to the American forces. They paved the way for women being able to work and represent the United States Army Signal Corps yet are hardly talked about when we think about the history of World War I.
Cara Reichel and Peter MillsCara Reichel, a writer, and artistic director, came across these women and their story through a documentary called “Unsung Heroes” in 2014.
After watching this, Reichel wrote up a grant to the National Education Association or the NEA to help develop a musical version of he Hello Girls story, with her co-writer Peter Mills.
In spring 2017 they have commissioned the grant through the Prospect Theatre Company using research to bring to life the story of the Hello Girls.Using sources such as “The Bell Telephone News” and “Stars and Stripes” both of which were wartime publications, they also read journals of Grace Banker, a chief operator among other sources they have found along the way.
The latest source was the recently published book titled The Hello Girls by Elizabeth Cobb in 2017 was a resource used as well.
Reichel and Mills wanted to make this musical an immersive true to the historical experience of what these women went through and accomplished while having the job of being a Hello Girl.
WW1CC supporting the "Battle’s O'er" – bagpipes project commemorating 100 years since the end of WWI
By Chris Isleib
Director of Public Affairs, United States World War One Centennial Commission
The U.S. World War I Centennial Commission is supporting the efforts by DC-based bagpiper Tim Kirkpatrick, who is taking part in "Battle’s O'er", an international commemoration marking 100 years since the guns fell silent at the end of World War I.
Organised by Pageantmaster Bruno Peek LVO OBE OPR, "Battle’s O'er" takes place on November 11th 2018, with events throughout the United Kingdom, Channel Islands, the Isle of Man, and at scores of locations overseas, including New Zealand, Ireland, Australia, Bermuda, France, Belgium, Canada, the United States and Germany, to name but a few.
At 6am local, around the world, lone pipers will play 'Battle’s O’er', a traditional Scottish air played after a battle, followed by a specially-written tribute will be read out. Overall, some 1,000 pipers will be playing the tune in individual locations within their local communities.
Kirkpatrick will play at a location to be determined near the National Mall.
University of Illinois and 11 days of World War I Presentations
By Michelle McCrillis
University of Illinois at Chicago
The University of Illinois offers an incredible eleven days of World War I-themed events, to include panel discussions, symposia, exhibitions, and more. All info can be found here;https://apps.honors.uic.edu/World-War-I
On the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month of 1918 the guns fell silent and the world's first global conflict — "The Great War" — came to an end. One of the most destructive wars in modern history, the conflict resulted in the slaughter of more than 16 million soldiers and civilians.
Few today appreciate the deep impact World War I had on the world, or the profound ways in which it continues to resonate. The war ushered in a global sea change in technology, science, medicine, music, literature, visual art and literature. It introduced new and distinctly modern ways of thinking about war, pacifism, heroism, and sacrifice, redefining the nation’s role on the world stage.
This November, the Honors College and UIC will mark the centenary of the end of World War I with 11 days of interdisciplinary conversations and events exploring the war that transformed our contemporary world.
All programs are free and registration is not required.
Read more: University of Illinois and 11 days of World War I Presentations
Members of the 369th Infantry, formerly the 15th New York Guard Regiment, arrive in New York City in 1919. The regiment has been known as the Famous 369th, the Harlem Hellfighters and the Black Rattlers. War Department photo
Task force urges review of minorities' WWI valor awards
By Matt Grills
via the American Legion web site
With American Legion support, a group of volunteers is proposing the first-ever review of World War I veterans who may have been denied a Medal of Honor due to racial or ethnic discrimination.
Established by the U.S. World War One Centennial Commission, the Valor Medals Review Task Force is starting with the records of approximately 70 African-American soldiers -- in particular, those worthy of the nation's highest military award who may have been downgraded to a Distinguished Service Cross or received a French Croix de Guerre with palm.
"We're not going in with any number in mind," says Jeffrey Sammons, professor of history at New York University and co-author of "Harlem's Rattlers and the Great War: The Undaunted 369th Regiment and the African American Quest for Equality."
"We want this to be as unbiased and apolitical as possible, and to let the evidence lead us where it may."
The U.S. military conducted reviews of valor awards for minority veterans of World War II, the Korean War, the Vietnam War and all subsequent conflicts, but not those who served in World War I. The posthumous awarding of Medals of Honor to Cpl. Freddie Stowers in 1991 and Sgt. Henry Johnson in 2015 set a precedent for challenging the postwar review conducted in 1919, which resulted in zero Medal of Honor awards for black veterans and few for other minorities.
At its 100th National Convention in Minneapolis in August, The American Legion passed Resolution No. 109, which calls for legislation lifting statutes of limitation and other obstacles that may impede proper review of minority veterans' World War I records that support consideration for a Medal of Honor.
Read more: Task force urges review of minorities' World War I valor awards
Pennsylvania church bells to toll on Veterans Day
By Carol Sones Shetler
via the Luminary newspaper (PA) web site
The tower at Picture Rocks United Methodist Church where on Sunday, Nov. 11 at 10:30 a.m. a combined service for area churches will observe a nationwide ringing of 'Bells of Peace' marking the centennial of the Armistice ending WWI.PICTURE ROCKS, PA — When bells ring out across the nation on Sunday Nov. 11 observing the 100th anniversary of Armistice Day (now Veteran's Day), the United Methodist Church of Picture Rocks will be one of several churches and organizations serving as host sites.
The event planning is in response to a declaration by the National WWI Centennial Commission created by Congress in 2013, sponsors of the 'BELLS OF PEACE' initiative. Partnering with the commission are the Veterans of Foreign Wars and the American Legion who are encouraged to co-sponsor and publicize the event.
As Veteran's Day 2018 falls on Sunday, it is appropriate that churches include bell tolling during their services. In the Picture Rocks area, neighboring churches will gather at the United Methodist Church on Laurel Street promptly at 10:30 a.m.
Additional congregations participating will be the United Methodist Churches of Tivoli, Point Bethel and Kedron, and those from the Picture Rocks Baptist Church. (Handicap accessibility at rear of church).
Speakers for the patriotic themed program will be the Reverends Mel Saltzgiver and Jerry Uppling. Attendees will have opportunity to voice names of their late WWI veterans, either relatives or acquaintances.
Individuals are invited to bring their own bells to be rung simultaneously with the steeple bell. Bells are to be rung beginning at 11 a.m. for 21 times with five second intervals.
Read more: Pennsylvania church bells to toll on Veterans Day