World War I Centennial News
WWI Centennial, Veterans Day observances to be held at Waikiki Natatorium
via the Hawaii Army Weekly
HONOLULU — The 100th year Anniversary of the end of World War I, Armistice, will be commemorated on Veteran’s Day, November 11, 2018. This dual tribute will honor our ancestors who aided the war efforts and volunteered their services.
The entire day, Sunday, November 11th, will be full of free to the public activities ranging from live bagpipers playing in unison with a nationwide mass rendition of the retreat march, a World War I Film Festival, static historic displays and free concerts by the Marine Forces Pacific Band, Royal Hawaiian Band, Raiatea Helm and the Harry James Orchestra.
“It is our great honor to bring to light Hawaii’s participation in World War I,” stated Col. (R) Arthur Tulak. “The commitment of the people of the territory of Hawaii — from knitting and rolling bandages to those who served, and those who died in battle, should be forever remembered.”
Over one hundred years ago, more than 10,000 soldiers and citizens from the Territory of Hawaii volunteered their services including Queen Lilioukalani and the legendary Duke Kahanamoku. There are numerous stories that connect Hawaii to the war efforts that will be shared through traditional and social media over the next several weeks leading up Veteran’s Day.
The Waikiki Natatorium War Memorial will be the center point of most of the activities on November 11th. More information can be found at worldwar1centennial.org A complete schedule of events and details can be found at hawaiiworldwar1.org
Read more: WWI Centennial, Veterans Day observances to be held at Waikiki Natatorium
Horse Heroes site honors the 1,325,000 American horses & mules that served in WWI
Special to the United States World War I Centennial Commission web site
LEXINGTON, KY -- Brooke USA, along with the World War One Centennial Commission, announce the completion of their Horse Heroes website, honoring American horses and mules who served in WWI.
Horse Heroes is an extensive and meticulously researched web-based presentation documenting all aspects of the use of American horses and mules in World War One. The Horse Heroes site may be accessed on the World War One Centennial Commission website at: www.ww1cc.org/horses
With more than 75,000 words of text and 250 images and video clips, the website is suitable as a resource for public school teachers as well as for college-level course material. Jo Ellen Hayden (B.A.,M.A., History), who researched and authored the site, is available to speak on all aspects of the use of horses and mules in World War One, including providing university-level lectures.
The site presents the largest collection of photographs of American animals in World War One available on the web.
Conceived and designed in collaboration with the U.S. World War One Centennial Commission, the website features accurate historical information on purchase, training, shipping, veterinary care, and battlefield conditions for these animals.
Background about the war and its geography, trench warfare, weather in France, social conditions in 1914-1918, and basic information about horses and mules are provided in the “Setting the Scene” section of the website, to enhance understanding of how those conditions impacted equines and the men they served.
Extensive information is presented about how the animals were used both as draft animals in harness, and as riding animals under saddle. There are sections on equipment such as harness, saddlery, shoes, and vehicles, and how the mobilization for war impacted those industries. A section is devoted to the U.S. Army Veterinary Corps, which was formed only a year before the war began and struggled to provide care under unimaginably desperate conditions.
Read more: Horse Heroes website honors the 1,325,000 American horses and mules who served in WW1
World Premiere of Pershing's Paths of Glory Nov. 11 in Silver Spring, MD
Special to the United States World War I Centennial Commission web site
The World War I Centennial Commission presents the World Premiere of a documentary film about the great American Hero, General John J. “Black Jack” Pershing, on Sunday, November 11, 2018, 100 years after the Armistice ending the fighting in World War I on November 11, 1918.
In Pershing's Paths of Glory, a group of young cadets recruited nationwide follow General Pershing’s paths across the globe and provide insight into how Pershing's leadership can influence students today.
As General Pershing’s living legacy, they visit historic battlefields and trenches in France to learn about and experience his heroic deeds first-hand.
The cadets include:
- Kevin Collins-Nelson, Pershing Rifleman; Raleigh-Durham North Carolina
- Roberto Duran, Pershing Rifleman (U.S. Air Force Special Forces Pilot); Fort Worth, Texas
- Victoria-Rose Reid, Pershing Angel; Atlanta, Georgia
- John Branch, Blackjack; Augusta, Georgia
- David Poe, Former Captain, U.S. Army, Purple Heart/Bronze Star w/Valor, Afghanistan; Denver, Colorado
In 1894, Lieutenant Pershing revived a disheartened ROTC drill squad at the University of Nebraska. These Varsity Rifles were reorganized and trained by General Pershing with the discipline of a fighting unit, and they eventually won the national drill competition. After General Pershing left to teach at West Point, the group renamed themselves The Pershing Rifles. In mid-20th Century, two related programs were founded, a female collegiate sorority called the Pershing Angels and a high school organization called the Blackjacks.
Read more: World Premiere of Pershing's Paths of Glory November 11 in Silver Spring, MD
From the World War I Centennial News Podcast
Remembering Veterans: Dr. Virginia Dilkes
In October 12th's WW1 Centennial News Podcast, Episode 93, host Theo Mayer spoke with commission volunteer Dr. Virginia Dilkes about her father, Charles Edward Dilkes, an Army engineer who served in France. Dr. Dilkes helped turn her father's diaries into a memoir, which is now the basis for a play. The following is a transcript of the interview:
Theo Mayer: This week for our Remembering Veterans segment, I want to introduce you to a longtime friend and volunteer of the U.S. World War One Centennial Commission, Dr. Virginia Dilkes. A member of the advisory board for the Georgia World War One Centennial Commission, and co-editor of a book about her father's service in World War I called Remembering World War I: An Engineer's Diary of the War.
Charles Edward Dilke's story has been turned into a stage production called, A Year in the Trenches, written by playwright James Rana. Virginia, you've been listening in as we produce the podcast since it's genesis as a coordinated conference for all the commissioners and volunteers way back. So it's really great to finally have you on the show. Welcome to the podcast.
Virginia: Well, thank you very much for this opportunity.
Theo Mayer: Virginia, your father was an engineer who kept a daily diary during a service in France. Tell us about that.
From the World War I Centennial News Podcast
Historian Corner: Jim Leeke
In October 12th's WW1 Centennial News Podcast, Episode 93, host Theo Mayer spoke with Jim Leeke, author of the book From The Dugouts To The Trenches: Baseball In The Great War. In the interview, he answers a series of questions about the relationship between the major leagues, the players, and the War that Changed the World. The following is a transcript:
Theo Mayer: In our historians corner, join us for a deep dive into one of the most American of pastimes, baseball. It's world series season, and joining us to tell us more about baseball during World War I is Jim Leeke. Author of the book, From the Dugouts to the Trenches: Baseball during the Great War. Jim, welcome.
Jim Leeke: Thanks for having me.
Theo Mayer: So Jim, when you look at the newspaper Stars and Stripes from 1918, or anywhere in that era, every single issue talks about baseball. How popular was the sport in the 1910s and what's different about the game then than it is today?
Jim Leeke: Well, back then it really was the national pastime. When America entered the war in 1917, they were the two major leagues of course, and there were 22 minor leagues. So it was a very healthy game.
Activity at the WW1CC Booth at the 2018 AUSA Annual Meeting. On display is the scale model maquette of the new National WWI Memorial for Washington DC
World War I was front-and-center at 2018 AUSA event
By Chris Isleib
Director of Public Affairs, United States World War One Centennial Commission
World War I appeared front-and-center last week, as the U.S. World War I Centennial Commission (WW1CC) acted as a major participant in the recent 2018 Annual Meeting in Washington DC of the Association of the U.S. Army (AUSA).
The AUSA is a nonprofit educational and professional development association serving America’s Total Army, our Soldiers, Army civilians, and their families; our industry partners, and supporters of a strong national defense. Their Annual Meeting in Washington DC is the largest and professional development forum and land warfare trade exhibition in North America.
The WW1CC was down on the convention floor with a double-sized exhibit booth, featuring displays on the U.S. Mint 2018 Silver Dollar, the upcoming Bells of Peace nationwide tolling, as well as the scale-model sculptural Maquette of the new National World War I Memorial for the Nation's Capital. Dozens of WW1CC volunteers and staff helped to tell the booth visitors about the Commission, the war, and our efforts to honor Americans veterans.
Read more: World War I was front-and-center at 2018 AUSA event in DC
Symbolic march from the Belgian-French border featuring schoolchildren from the Belgian border schools and from Heuvelland in Flanders, as well as American and Belgian military personnel, and the Ebony Doughboys reenactment group.
Ebony Doughboys participate in events in Europe
via the United States Embassy to Belgium
Ambassador Ronald Gidwitz joined the Ebony Doughboys (a group of American WWI re-enactors, partners to the WW1CC), local officials, residents of the Commune of Couvin, and mayors from French border towns to celebrate the liberation of Petite Chapelle by African-American soldiers fighting with the French 10th Army during World War I.
“It is with great pride that I have the honor to join all of you by this roadside in Petite-Chapelle today. We are here to commemorate the bravery and sacrifice of the men of the 370th U.S. Infantry Regiment who, 100 years ago this year, were fighting alongside the French 10th Army, in part because their own country and its military were segregated. In the closing days of the war, they crossed the border where we marched today to drive German forces from this area. They helped secure the peace on what we now know as Armistice Day....
...I emphasize the circumstances of these brave soldiers because they answered their nation’s call and came to the defense of liberty and freedom even though it was not widely available to them in their home communities. Their fight would bring peace to European battlefields and advance their progress toward equality at home. It demonstrates that, even though we still face challenges with integration and acceptance in our communities in the United States and Belgium today, there is a way to work toward a common good. There is a way to join in a greater cause that ensures our collective safety and promotes our shared prosperity.” – Ambassador Gidwitz’s Remarks at the 370th Infantry Regiment Commemoration Event, Petite Chapelle, Couvin, October 4, 2018.
#COUNTDOWNTOVETERANSDAY is Back!
By Chris Isleib
Director of Public Affairs, United States World War One Centennial Commission
We all can agree — One day a year is not enough to talk about veterans issues.
Our military veterans will always have need for our help. Over the past four years, we have tried to do something about it.
We created a simple social media awareness campaign of Tweets and Posts on our Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram channels. We shined our small light on veteran topics -- veterans issues, achievements, resources, organizations. We used the hashtag #COUNTDOWNTOVETERANSDAY because one day is not enough.
We asked you -- our friends -- to help us to tell these veteran stories. Your help proved to be incredible.
In time, our "Countdown To Veterans Day" term would be covered in the news media. Our #COUNTDOWNTOVETERANSDAY friends would grow to several thousand strong. Every year, our #COUNTDOWNTOVETERANSDAY hashtag would reach an audience of 20 million people.
This year is a special Countdown for us -- It is our Commission's last planned #COUNTDOWNTOVETERANSDAY campaign, and it is the 100th Anniversary of the Armistice that finally ended the fighting in World War I.
We've planned a special version of the campaign -- one to honor the 4.7 million American men & women who served during World War I, the 2 million who employed overseas to the fight, and the 116,516 who never made it home.
We welcome you to retweet and repost our #COUNTDOWNTOVETERANSDAY pieces to your own social media. We also welcome you to simply use the #COUNTDOWNTOVETERANSDAY hashtag -- and join this year's awareness campaign.
In the name of our veterans, we hope that you can help us.
Artist's rendering of the design for the new National World War I Memorial in Washington, DC.
National WWI Memorial Design Gets Key Support from NCPC
By Rachel Hurt
Staff Writer
The new National World War I Memorial for the Nation's Capital achieved a significant milestone at the recent National Capital Planning Commission (NCPC) meeting. The NCPC adopted the Memorial's revised design concept for the Memorial, which will be sited in Pershing Park in downtown Washington, D.C.
The NCPC is the federal government’s central planning agency for the National Capital Region. The Commission provides overall planning guidance for federal land and buildings in the region by reviewing the design of federal and certain local projects, overseeing long-range planning for future development, and monitoring capital investment by federal agencies.
Our World War I Memorial is currently being reviewed by both the NCPC and the U.S. Commission of Fine Arts, which are key regulatory agencies that oversee memorial-making in the nation’s capital. Each part of the design review process moves the WWI Memorial towards design approval, anticipated in early 2019.
The Memorial continues steadily on its journey to final approval. Chairman Terry Hamby was pleased with the regulatory agency review process: “The WWICC is very pleased with this continued support from the NCPC for the design of the National WWI Memorial," he said. "We are working closely with all regulatory agencies, and with our other partners, to create the best possible WWI Memorial for the site.”
Rachel Hurt is a Fall 2018 Intern with the U.S. World War One Centennial Commission.
Commission Presents a “First Look” at the National World War l Memorial, Washington, DC
The U.S. World War One Centennial Commission is honoring the more than 4 million Americans who served in during WWI, and the 116,525 men and women who sacrificed their lives, with a “First Look at the National World War l Memorial” program between November 8 and 12, 2018. The Memorial site will be open to the public each day beginning with a presentation of colors at 9 a.m. and concluding with “Taps” at sunset daily.
The “First Look Pavilion” will be open from 11am to 5pm each day for guests to see the memorial model, learn where the memorial will be constructed, and find out how to be part of the project. The “First Look” program also includes all the Special Events listed below which require free tickets to attend.
These commemoration events, in addition to providing a “First Look” at the future National World War l Memorial being built in Washington, DC, are designed to honor the more than four million Americans who served in uniform in WWI, and those who gave the ultimate sacrifice. Women joined the ranks of the U.S. armed forces for the first time, gaining the right to vote two years later. More than 350,000 African Americans served with distinction, as did Native Americans and immigrants. The U.S. experienced a casualty rate of 375,000–far greater than in World War II–and 116,516 fatalities, more than during the Korean and Vietnam Wars combined. It was a remarkable time in the history of our nation, with results still felt today.
Bells of Peace program gaining great momentum
By Chris Isleib
Director of Public Affairs, United States World War One Centennial Commission
Late last week, the Commission received word that the bells at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, DC, will join the tolling on 11/11 at 11:00 am local.
Another exciting pledge came in last week from the U.S. Navy. The Secretary of the Navy Richard V. Spencer issued an ALNAV (all Navy) Planning Order that directs all commands in the Navy and Marine Corps to participate in Bells of Peace. The ALNAV directs all Navy and Marine Corps ships, commands and organizations to:
Execute a bell ringing ceremony to recognize the 100th anniversary of the end of WWI.
a. Purpose: Recognize the 100th anniversary of the end of WWI.
b. Method: Execute a global recognition of Armistice Day through a coordinated Department of the Navy wide bell ringing ceremony. On Sunday,11 November at 1100, toll your bells 21 times with a five-second interval between each toll.
c. Groups that do not have bells can render the salute by other available means.
Proclamations from several City Mayors have also been issued to their constituents, adding to the mix of Proclamations being received from our growing list of State Governors. In recent weeks the Commission has received Proclamations from Charleston, SC; Vancouver, WA; Norwalk, CT; Limestone County, AL; Village of Allaire, NJ, New Iberia, LA; Springfield, MA, Allegheny Highlands, WV; Columbus, GA and others.
As we countdown to the Armistice Centennial and Veterans Day weekend, YOU also can join in. Individuals, groups, or organizations can sign up at ww1cc.org/bells. You’ll find plenty of information and instructions and join Americans across the nation who will toll bells November 11th, 2018 at 11 AM local time.
No bell? No problem. We have created an App for that. Go to your smartphone app store and search on “Bells of Peace” or learn more at ww1cc.org/app.
Be part of the remembrance of those who served and sacrificed in the War that Changed the World on the 100th anniversary of when the fighting stopped in Europe.
David Wayne Shuey, September 19, 1954—September 17, 2018
Dave Shuey was unforgettable as "General Pershing"
By Chris Isleib
Director of Public Affairs, United States World War One Centennial Commission
David Wayne Shuey and Aura Lea at the New York Veterans Day Parade In November 2016.To meet Dave Shuey for the first time, I had to run after him, and chase him down.
It was the 2014 National Memorial Day Parade in Washington DC, and he was the star. He stole the crowd from marching band leaders, from the celebrities on the floats, and even from the the Grand Marshall. Dave was on his beautiful horse, Aura Lee, dressed out as General Pershing. And he was magical.
Unlike the usual down-the-middle parade slugs, Dave was riding -- galloping! -- from one side of the street to the other, then back, firing up the crowd, with one-liners like "WE'RE GONNA TAKE IT TO THE KAISER!" and "IT'S GREAT TO BE BACK IN AMERICA!". The people were electrified -- screaming and cheering with joy.
This was especially incredible -- because it was early in 2014, and World War I was still considered 'A Forgotten War". Nobody knew who General Pershing was, or who the Kaiser was. I knew this to be a fact, because I was the brand-new WWI Centennial Commission's brand-new Communications guy.
The parade managers had lumped the various period reenactor folks together into their various periods. We had mustered forth into the parade modestly that day with a handful of lumpy 'Doughboys', along with a restored Packard truck from Pennsylvania, and a restored Model T Ambulance from Texas.
Compared to the legion after legion of Civil War guys, and the fleet of sleek 1940's convertibles carrying the WWII vets, our showing was low-end.
My big prayer that morning was that our 100 year-old vehicles would not stall out, and die out on the parade route, embarrassing everybody.
Then the parade kicked off. Everybody took their places, and started moving forward.
That's when I noticed the General Pershing guy. Up ahead.
He slipped in, right out in front of the rest of the World War I-era players. We turned the corner on to the parade route proper, and General Pershing turned on the charm.
"WE SAVED FRANCE!"
"I FEEL GREAT FOR 166 YEARS OLD!"
His energy infected our entire team -- Our Doughboys found their missing rhythm. Our vehicle drivers never let off the Ahhh-Ouuu-Gah horns, never stopped waving, never stopped screaming to the crowd. We gave them a show, a show we did not even know we had.
Read more: Dave Shuey was unforgettable as "General Pershing"
Panel discussion on archiving WWI commemorative activities and artifacts at the World War One Centennial Commission conference, at Pritzker Military Museum & Library. Panel members (from left): Chris Christopher, U.S. World War I Centennial Commission Web Site Publisher (moderator); Commissioner Dr. Libby O'Connell, U.S. World War I Centennial Commission; Andrew Bullen, Coordinator of Information Technology, Illinois State Library; Dory Bower, Archives Specialist, U.S. Government Publishing Office; Tony Fowler, Interagency Liaison, U.S. Department of Education; Stacie Peterson, Collections Registrar, National World War I Museum and Memorial.
Pritzker Military Museum and Library in Chicago hosts 'To Honor and Remember" State-level WWI Centennial Committee Summit Meeting
By Chris Isleib
Director of Public Affairs, United States World War One Centennial Commission
Last week, the Pritzker Military Museum and Library (PMML) and the U.S. World War I Centennial Commission (WW1CC) cohosted a unique event in Chicago -- a summit meeting of the various State-level Centennial Committees from around the entire United States.
Events on the first day of the two-day event, Monday 1 October, were designed to recognize the contributions by each organization in honoring the centennial of World War I throughout the U.S. The following day, Tuesday, October 2nd, was centered around the attendees' participation in the U.S. World War I Centennial Commission's 19th Quarterly Commission Meeting.
Over twenty state-level organizations were represented at the summit meeting. Specific items on the first day's agenda included a welcome by the Museum & Library's founder, Colonel Jennifer Pritzker, remarks from WW1CC Chairman Terry Hamby, a Keynote Address by Colonel Gerald York, grandson of legendary World War I hero SGT Alvin York, as well as a professional panel discussion on the Archiving of WWI History and Artifacts
There was also an award ceremony, to thank the state-level offices for their hard work over the past three years, bringing the stories of our veterans forward to people today. There were also opportunities for the attendees to network, and to talk about each state's upcoming climactic events related to the centennial of the World War I Armistice.