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.

State Delegates, Commissioners, and PMML staff gather on stage for group photo.

State delegates at the conference included a contingent from New England: Massachusetts Secretary of Veterans Services, Francisco A. Urena (R), Rhode Island Commissioner Matthew McCoy (L), and Connecticut Commissioner Christine Pittsley.

Certificate recognizing the achievements of the state-level organizations in commemorating World War I.

The scale-model maquette for the new National World War I Memorial in Washington DC was on display at the Chicago event.