The Doughboy Foundation’s mission is to keep the story of "the War that Changed the World" in the minds of all Americans, so that the 4.7 million who served in the U.S. Armed Forces during WWI will never again be relegated to the mists of obscurity. LEARN MORE
The Doughboy Foundation’s mission is to keep the story of "the War that Changed the World" in the minds of all Americans, so that the 4.7 million who served in the U.S. Armed Forces during WWI will never again be relegated to the mists of obscurity. LEARN MORE
The Doughboy Podcast is about what happened 100 years ago during and after the War that changed the world --- and it is also about NOW - How WWI is still present in our daily lives - How it is remembered and discussed, learned and taught - but most importantly - the podcast is about why and how we will never let awareness of WWI fall back into the mists of obscurity.
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The Pershing Rifles Foundation is selling two prints of General Pershing to raise money for the Pershing Rifles. One is of Pershing as ‘General of the Armies’ in 1921 and the other is of Lt. Pershing and his cadet leadership at the University of Nebraska, Lincoln in 1893. A percentage of these sales will go to towards supporting the Commission. Check them out at https://theprgroup.org/foundation/store/
Amazon Smile Mother’s Day
Mother’s Day is fast approaching. Please shop on SMILE.AMAZON.COM! At no cost to you, Amazon will donate ½ percent of your purchase to a charity of your choice. Enter the "United States Foundation for the Commemoration of the World Wars" as your charitable organization.
NYC Lusitania Wreath Laying, May 7
On Thursday, May 7th, 2015 at 10am, the U.S. World War One Centennial Commission will host a wreath-laying ceremony at City Pier A, in Manhattan’s Battery Park, New York City, to honor the 100th anniversary of the tragic sinking of the RMS Lusitania
Washington DC Lusitania Panel, May 7
On May 7th, 2015, the U.S. World War One Centennial Commission will host a panel discussion at the NATIONAL PRESS CLUB in Washington, DC, at 6:30pm to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the tragic sinking of the RMS Lusitania.
There’s currently an ongoing exhibit at the Hoover Library-Museum in West Branch, IA called “The Making of the Great Humanitarian: Herbert Hoover and World War I. The exhibit highlights the humanitarian side of Hoover and also includes a mock-up trench and a replica of the SS Hannah. If you’re in the area, check it out! More information at http://www.hooverassociation.org/newsevents/hoovercookie.php
Naval Heritage Center’s “Authors on Deck” Series: 21st Century Sims
On May 27 at noon, as part of its “Authors on Deck” Series, the Naval Heritage Center in Washington DC will host Lt. Commander Benjamin Armstrong as he discusses his newest book, 21st Century Sims. This book examines the turn-of-the-20th century Admiral William Sims’ often-overlooked role at the forefront of naval affairs. More information at http://navymemorial.org/
A big welcome Susan Mennenga, WWI Project Manager from Pritzker Military Museum and Library, the founding sponsor of the US WWI Centennial Commission. Susan is here in Washington this week and we look forward to working with her. Thanks Susan and PMML for your support.
ANZAC Day is coming up this Saturday, April 25. This day originally honored the Australians and New Zealanders who fought at Gallipoli; now it is a day of remembrance for Australians and New Zealanders who served and died in any war or conflict. There are several ANZAC Day events being held across the country including:
In Washington DC on April 25 there will be a dawn memorial service at 5:45 am at the Korean Veterans War Memorial and aCommemorative Church Service at 10:00am at the Washington National Cathedral.
In New York City on the 25th, there will be a dawn service at the Vietnam Veterans Plaza at 5:45am and on April 26, there will be a commemorative service at 10:30am at the ANZAC Memorial Garden (RSVP required).
In San Diego at 8am on April 25 there will be a commemorative service at the USS Midway.
At the National Cemetery Rostrum Flagpole in Westwood, CA there will be commemorative services starting at 10am
Make sure to check if an RSVP is necessary for the event. Also, check out your local Australian or New Zealand Consulate for ANZAC events that aren’t listed.
To mark the 100th anniversary of Lt. Col. John McCrae’s poem “In Flanders Fields” and to remember all those who made the ultimate sacrifice, Flander’s House is hosting the Annual In Flanders Fields Memorial Tuesday, May 12, at 10:00 AM at Clinton War Memorial in De Witt Clinton Park, NYC. Please confirm your attendance before May 1 by RSVPing to 2014-18@flandershouse.org
On May 7th, 2015, the U.S. World War One Centennial Commission will host a panel discussion at the NATIONAL PRESS CLUB in Washington, DC, at 6:30pm to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the tragic sinking of the RMS Lusitania. This program is free and open to the public and will feature panelists John Maxwell Hamilton, Prof. Richard Striner, and RADM Samuel Cox (USN, ret.). Discussion will focus on the wartime role of Lusitania, the worldwide reaction to her tragedy, and the impact of Lusitania’s sinking on public opinion in the United States. More info on our website: http://www.worldwar1centennial.org/index.php/events/lusitania-sinking-centennial-event-washington-dc.html
Mention we are getting closer to announcing the Design Competition for the national WWI Memorial at Pershing Park- More details are coming soon - stay tuned. Let people know that it is coming. Get your design hats on- all are welcome and encourage to submit a design.
Col. Terry Finnegan: Col. Finnegan is author of two works on WWI. The first, Shooting the Front by Terrence Finnegan, is on aerial recon has received great attention internationally. His second, recently reviewed and recommended to us by Mike Hanlon, is titled A Delicate Affair.In A Delicate Affair, Col. Finnegan examines how America learned to fight a modern war in the Woëvre trenches. After doing research on the Woëvre trenches Col. Finnegan unearthed the story of Louis Ziegra. Col. Finnegan believes that Ziegra’s bravery deserves to be recognized with a Medal of Honor.
Belgian Embassy Open House—Saturday May 09. There will be a small WWI exhibit. We are looking for volunteers to help us staff this event. It will go from 9:00 am to 4:30 pm. Ideally volunteers would work in two to three hour shifts passing out information about the commission and our activities.
Sometime in the days leading up to the Memorial Day parade, we’ll need a street-savvy navigator to guide Dave Lockard and his Packard truck from Rt. 15 to Fort McNair.
Memorial Weekend at the US Navy Memorial—Saturday May 23 and Monday May 25. We need people to man a table during several wreath laying ceremonies at the memorial.
On May 7th, 2015, the U.S. World War One Centennial Commission will host a panel discussion at the NATIONAL PRESS CLUB in Washington, DC, at 6:30pm to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the tragic sinking of the RMS Lusitania. This program is free and open to the public and will feature panelists John Maxwell Hamilton, Prof. Richard Striner, and RADM Samuel Cox (USN, ret.). Discussion will focus on the wartime role of Lusitania, the worldwide reaction to her tragedy, and the impact of Lusitania’s sinking on public opinion in the United States. http://www.worldwar1centennial.org/index.php/events/lusitania-sinking-centennial-event-washington-dc.html
Unpublished General John J. Pershing photos- Mr. David Poe
Mr. Poe is currently a Captain in the U.S. Army stationed at Fort Lee, VA. His active duty service includes multiple tours in Afghanistan with the 10th Mountain Division, where he won a Purple Heart.
In addition to his Army duties, he is the Deputy Executive Director of the Pershing Rifles Foundation, which is the fundraising arm of The Pershing Rifles Group, and has as its mission "support activities that develop outstanding traits of leadership, scholarship, and military excellence among America’s youth and to expand the legacy General of the Armies John J. Pershing.
The 8x10 of LT Pershing from 1893 is already online, and is being sold for $75. It is a limited edition print, and we're stopping at 200.
The photo of GEN Pershing from 1921 is going online tonight, and it’s being sold for $50 for the 8x10 and $40 for the 5x7. This one is not a limited edition run.
We will be sending a letter to the US Postal Service’s stamp committee asking them for WWI Centennial commemorative stamps. Rep. Emanuel Cleaver has already sent a letter encouraging the creation of a series of stamps throughout the centennial period.
We want our volunteers and partner organizations to send the stamp committee letters so that there is a focus on WWI--the more people we have mailing them letters, the greater the chance for our stamp proposal to proceed. We will have more information about it coming up in the next couple weeks.
Los Angeles trip- week of April 27th:
Entertainment Industry Brief at Factor's Famous Deli- 9 am on Tuesday the 28th. Hosted by the Commission and Mike Schuster, former NPR correspondent.
We’ve invited writers and producers to come and share story ideas about WWI
May 7th marks the 100th anniversary of the sinking of the Lusitania. We are planning two different events to commemorate this:
Washington DC event:, the Lusitania Panel will be on May 7th, 6:30 pm at the National Press Club. The panel will include:
The Media Advisory has went out. We encourage everyone to come out!
NYC EVENT: The venue has been chosen--the event will be held at Pier A Battery Park. If you would like to attend, please contact email Kevin Douglas at kevinsd@gmail.com.
Pritzker Military Museum and Library WWI Centennial Project Manager
Susan Mennenga will be helping our Founding Sponsor, the Pritzker Military Museum and Library, coordinate local, regional and national engagements with the WWICC. She will add another set of hands to our collective effort. We are excited to have Susan on board and we hope to hear from her on an upcoming call.
The Commission wants you to volunteer!
We have some events that we need help with:
Belgian Embassy Open House—Saturday May 09: There will be a small WWI exhibit. We are looking for volunteers to help us staff this event. It will go from 9:00 am to 4:30 pm. Ideally volunteers would work in two to three hour shifts passing out information about the commission and our activities.
Sometime in the days leading up to the Memorial Day parade, we’ll need a street-savvy navigator to guide Dave Lockard and his Packard truck from Rt. 15 to Fort McNair.
Would you like to see some great videos on YouTube about WWI? Check out The Great War channel. Posting twice a week, 'The Great War' shows you the history of the First World War in the four years from 1914 to 1918. The host, Indy, takes you back week by week and shows you what was going on in the past. Please subscribe to see these great posts. Their last two videos are: (see below)
All soldiers feared poison gas but all sides developed deadlier and more perfidious kinds of chemical agents. Indy tells you everything about gas warfare in World War 1 in this special episode.
Between The Fronts - War Refugees I THE GREAT WAR Week 36
Not only the soldiers are suffering on the Eastern and Western Front, the Dardanelles or, since this week, Macedonia. More and more civilians become refugees in this modern war. Even far away from the battle grounds they are not safe anymore when German submarine sink civilian ships.
April 25th- ANZAC Day marks the anniversary of the first campaign that led to major casualties for Australian and New Zealand forces during the First World War. MG Valenzuela is attending ANZAC day in LA. Anzac Day is on April 25th, and. ANZAC day activities will take place in San Diego, LA, San Francisco, DC, and NYC we encourage you to participate if you are local to these areas.
Los Angeles Trip-Chris Isleib, Dir. of Communications, and Dan Dayton will be in LA the week of April 27 to brief the entertainment industry and meet with our California volunteer Courtland Jindra and the LA Coliseum.
May 7th- 100th Anniversary of the Sinking of the Lusitania. There will be two events:
The event in Washington DC will be held at the National Press Club at 6:30 pm. It will consist of a panel that will discuss the role of the sinking of the Lusitania and the media on informing public opinion in the run up to America’s entry into WWI. Panelists will include: Jack Hamilton and Richard Striner; a 3rd panelist is being finalized now. Gil Klein will moderate.
The New York City event will consist of a wreath laying near the pier where the Lusitania launched
Washington DC Memorial Day Parade- WWI era packard truck will participate in DC’s parade; we are currently working with Dave Lockard to get this confirmed.
WWI Memorial at Pershing Park design competition- we are working towards a roll out/announcement of the design competition- all are invited to submit a design for the redevelopment. The entry fee is $100- rules and regulations will be announced mid-May
Naval HIstory and Heritage Command hosted a Military Outreach/Commemorative Events Sync Meeting
Thank you to Dave Werner and John DeLuca from the Communication and Outreach Division of NHHC!
NHHC Invited Reps from DOD and all services, community outreach and commemorations divisions- we briefed the group on the status of the Commission
Upcoming Exhibit: “War & Art: Destruction and Protection of Italian Cultural Heritage during World War I.” at the Woodrow Wilson House. This is an exhibit of Italian photographs from WWI, including some of US soldiers helping them to protect art in Venice. Frances and Dan helped them find a home for it at Woodrow Wilson House. Opening Reception next Thursday, April 9
Join the American Battle Monuments Commission for a screening of the World War I documentary, Never Forgotten, followed by a panel discussion. It will be held Friday, April 17 from 6:30 to 8:30 pm. The event is free and open to the public on a first come first serve basis. For more information, see the event’s entry in the ‘Upcoming Events’ section of this document. You can also visit: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/world-war-i-film-screening-never-forgotten-registration-15616441196
Thank you for continuing to invite your friends to follow us on Facebook! We're up by 113 followers, but can do much better. We need everybody to help us out and do this. Big shoutout to our superstar volunteer Randy Gaulke, who corralled 39 new Facebook likes!!! Please visit Randy's website, http://meuse-argonne.com. It's a really great source of photos and information on the Meuse Argonne battle.
Let's also do the same for Twitter -- @WW1CC and Instagram -- @ww1cc.
Encourage People to Donate
On this call, and on the distribution list for the minutes, there are 273 people. If everyone on this call donated $10 to the effort this week, PMML would match it and we would have generated 5,460 dollars. How Can I donate? Log on to our website https://worldwar1centennial.org/index.php/help-us/please-donate.html to give via credit card, paypal, or snail mail a check to 701 Pennsylvania Ave.
Invite your friends to follow us on FB! It’s easy--just click “invite your friends” on the left of the page beneath the page’s total ‘likes’ and Invite all. We are growing by 25-50 followers a week, but we need to boost this. Keep us posted on how many people you recruit! The person who gets the most friends to like our page will get a special recognition. Email your progress to chris.isleib@worldwar1centennial.org.
The Commission needs some help scanning pictures for an upcoming event at the Belgian Embassy. Any willing volunteers in the vicinity of College Park, MD, are asked to please contact Mitch Yockelson for more information. mitchell.yockelson@worldwar1centennial.org
Recap of the 7th Meeting of the World War One Centennial Commissioners held at the Jones Day Law Firm on Thursday, March 12.
The Commissioners were updated on our State Outreach status; they are most grateful for the tremendous amount of volunteer support and extend their thanks.
A highlight was a presentation by Mr. Joseph Zimet, General Director of the French Centenairre (their equivalent of the WWICC). He briefed the Commission on France’s plans to date. He also indicated that there are WWI Commissions set up in 30 different countries and stressed the importance of international cooperation.
Recap of Dan Dayton’s adventures in NYC
WWICC Exec. Director Dan Dayton met with representatives of 4 NYC congressional districts yesterday. All were very supportive and want to be actively involved as we develop the Greater New York Center for the Commemoration of WWI. A NYC Planning meeting is in the works--we will keep volunteers posted on the dates for this.
Plans are developing for an event at Pier 54 in Manhattan to mark the point of departure of the Lusitania "
Recap of the Pershing Rifles Event
The World War One Centennial Commission was well-represented in Richmond VA this past weekend for the Pershing Rifles National Drill Team Competition.
Our WWICC Commissioner, Maj. Gen. Alfred Valenzuela(USA-ret), acted as the senior officer for their pass-in-review, gave a moving speech on leadership at their dinner event, and also presented the top national awards for the drill competition. Gen. Valenzuela, additionally, generously offered to match the scholarships offered by the Pershing Rifles.
WWICC staffer Rebekah Wilson gave a briefing to the drill team members on our Commission activities as a tie-in to the legacy of the event's namesake, General John Pershing.
State Outreach Call to Arms
The Commission is working hard at organizing events on a national level. But we need help encouraging each state and local level to take the initiative and plan their own centennial events. Four million men and women served and an entire nation pitched into the war efforts which means WWI touches almost every community in America. We have a very small national coordination team and a giant country to cover. We are working hard at covering down on states that don't have volunteers but we really could use your help. We have learned from experience it only takes one or two motivated individuals to affect this in a state. You don't even have to live there. Just willing to do a little research and make a couple phone calls. Will you be one of them?"
Daylight Saving Time and WWI-- We reset our clocks last Sunday in a practice that began as a wartime measure during WWI. Imperial Germany was the first country to enact Daylight Saving Time in 1916 to conserve electricity--the UK would follow suit a few weeks later.http://www.history.com/news/8-things-you-may-not-know-about-daylight-saving-time
The 7th World War One Centennial Commission Meeting is tomorrow, March 12th.
Persons wishing to listen to the proceedings may dial 712-432-1001 and enter access code 474845614.
Meeting with Director of the French Centenary Joseph Zimet
Meeting with Ex-Officio Commission Members and Advisors to the Commission
The Doughboy Podcast is about what happened 100 years ago during and after the War that changed the world --- and it is also about NOW - How WWI is still present in our daily lives - How it is remembered and discussed, learned and taught - but most importantly - the podcast is about why and how we will never let awareness of WWI fall back into the mists of obscurity.
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