World War One Centennial Commission
And Doughboy Foundation Complete America's National World War I Memorial On September 13, 2024, The World War I Centennial Commission and The Doughboy Foundation unveiled "A Soldier's Journey," a 58.5-foot long bronze sculptural wall, years in the making, to serve as the centerpiece of the National World War I Memorial on Pennsylvania Avenue. This historic event marked the completion of the last war memorial of the 20th century in our nation's capital. A Soldier's Journey is the largest free standing high relief bronze in the western hemisphere. The sculpture speaks to all military members and families as it tells the story of a soldier leaving home to serve a greater cause, experiencing intense battle and the cost of war, and returning home a changed man. Sculptor Sabin Howard and the National WWI Memorial Design Team worked on this project since January 2016. The completion of the National World War I Memorial marks the fulfillment by the World War I Centennial Commission of all the duties assigned it by Congress. The Commission will sunset on September 30, 2024. The Doughboy Foundation will continue into perpetuity, carrying out its mission "to Keep Faith with the American Doughboy." See more about and watch a replay of the First Illumination ceremony here.  Please Answer Their Call! Hello Girls Congressional Gold Medal Legislation PASSES In Senate! Very Close In House! Your Help Can Get This Done!  The Hello Girls made a transformative difference for the American Expeditionary Forces in WWI. The ability of the bilingual female operators to pass critical tactical information calmly and seamlessly between two allied armies that spoke different languages was a fundamental breakthrough in rapid tactical communications on the Western Front. The service of the Hello Girls helped bring the fighting to an end in the Allies' favor as much as one year earlier than it might have taken without them, according to General John Pershing, commander of the American Expeditionary Forces. |  Even after the Armistice in 1918, the Hello Girls stayed on duty in Europe after most of the other Doughboys went home, so that they could support President Woodrow Wilson during the Versailles peace talks. But when all the Hello Girls finally returned home, these women who had served in the U.S. Army Signal Corps, and wore U.S. Army uniforms, received a shock. They were denied veteran status and benefits, not receiving them until 1977. The brave Hello Girls earned and deserve the recognition of a Congressional Gold Medal, and you can join Team Hello Girls in advocating for passage of the Hello Girls Congressional Gold Medal legislation! | When their nation called in 1917, the Hello Girls answered!
Will YOU answer their call for recognition in 2024?  World War I Musical Memoir "The Story Of A Rose" To Premiere In May 2025 At The Kennedy Center In Washington, DC Inspired by the story of her own family's journey during World War I, Broadway star Melissa Errico has created a new musical memoir about that era in American life entitled, "The Story of a Rose." The musical performance series, to benefit the Doughboy Foundation, is set to debut on May 7, 2025, at the Terrace Theatre at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, D.C. and tickets are now on sale. Nominated for a Tony Award for her role in the musical "Amour" as well as performing on Broadway in shows such as "My Fair Lady" as Eliza Doolittle, Irving Berlin's "White Christmas," and Cole Porter's "High Society," Errico is also a recording artist and contributing writer for the New York Times. Her musical memoir tells the story of her great Aunt Rose and her grandmother who came to the United States from Italy by boat during World War I and immediately took up work as seamstresses making uniforms for the war. Learn more about "The Story of a Rose" which is comprised of early jazz ragtime music and elegant storytelling, as Errico brings together love letters, stories of friendship, and authentic songs to bring the World War I era to life.  Two significant ceremonies in October will give long-overdue honors to Grace Banker, Chief Operator of the WWI U.S. Army Signal Corps Female Telephone Operators, America's First Women Soldiers, known as the "Hello Girls." On Thursday, October 3, the World War I Victory Medal that was denied Banker and her fellow Hello Girls when they returned from the conflict will be presented to her granddaughter at a ceremony at Hampton American Legion Post 35 in Hampton, NH at 1:00 pm. Learn more about the event, and the challenging process of getting the medal approved and delivered at this long-awaited ceremony, which is open to the public. On Saturday, October 26,at 2:30 pm EDT, Grace's descendants, military and veteran representatives, and supporters will gather to dedicate an official veteran memorial at her (currently unmarked) gravesite at the Green-Wood Cemetery, 25th Street & 5th Avenue, Brooklyn, NY. The public is invited to attend. Read more about how century-old injustice is being rectified by honoring Grace Banker with a veteran plaque and medallion to recognize her WWI service. |  Recognizing the critical importance of teaching America's World War I story —a pivotal yet often overlooked chapter in American history—we launched the "WWI Teaching Resources" in the 2023-24 school year for 7th-12th grade social studies teachers. Developed by the U.S. WWI Centennial Commission with the Doughboy Foundation, this content was made especially compelling through Augmented Reality (AR) apps, bringing history to life for today's learners.  |
On September 12, 2024, Daily Taps at the National World War I Memorial in Washington, DC was sounded in honor of five former Commissioners of the United States World War I Centennial Commission who now Rest in Peace. Clockwise from bottom left: | Commissioner Ike Skelton (1931–2013); Commissioner Mary D. Cohen, (1931-2021); Commissioner Jerry L. Hester (1931–2022); Commissioner James S. Whitfield (1926–2016); Commissioner James B. Nutter, Sr. (1928 –2017). Their service and support helped ensure the building of the National World War I Memorial in the nation's capitol, and that all those Americans who served and supported during World War I were commemorated during the Great War's Centennial. | |  | The Daily Taps program of the Doughboy Foundation provides a unique opportunity to dedicate a livestreamed sounding of Taps in honor of a special person of your choice while supporting the important work of the Doughboy Foundation. Choose a day, or even establish this honor in perpetuity. Click here for more information on how to honor a loved veteran with the sounding of Taps.  The day before the belligerent countries declared an Armistice on November 11, 1918, Mortimer Lawrence of Beaver Dam, Wisconsin, an aerial observer for the 104th Aero Squadron, shot down the last enemy aircraft of the war. Sometime after his death in 1960, his papers, which included extensive correspondence and lots of photographs, arrived at the Wisconsin Veterans Museum in Madison, Wisconsin. During the fall of 2023, these papers became the focus of two students in the University of Wisconsin-Madison's "World War I Wisconsin" course. Read more about their two resultant papers, which provide insights about World War I from one soldier's experience, and examine the key role that aerial observers played in winning the war for the Allies. |  Hello Girls Congressional Gold Medal campaign was the subject of a substantial interview on Wreaths Across America radio network during the VA Women Veterans Quadrennial Summit in Washington, DC the first week of September. Host Chris Chapman of Wreaths Across America discussed America's First Women Soldiers with three knowledgeable guests: Catherine Bourgin, granddaughter of Hello Girl Marie Edmee LeRoux; James Theres, Producer and Director of the hello Girls movie; and Colonel Linda Jantzen, U.S. Army Signal Corps (Retired), who has worked for recognition of the Hello Girls for many years. Learn more about and find out where to listen to the interview here. |  | | World War I was The War That Changed The World, and its impact on the United States continues to be felt over a century later, as people across the nation learn more about and remember those who served in the Great War. Here's a collection of news items from the last month related to World War I and America. | A Stirring Monument to America's Warriors World War I memorial unveiled in Washington, D.C. Sculptor Hopes to Revive Spirit Renaissance in America CT sculptor creates centerpiece for National WWI Memorial Washington's New WWI Memorial Is Defiantly Traditional 'A Soldier's Journey' Reaches Its Destination Baltimore bugler performs at WWI Memorial 'A Soldier's Journey' in the Light of Glory The new WWI Memorial in DC — why it'll hit you hard Combat Veteran Featured in WWI Memorial Asheville bugler performs at the First Illumination Ceremony WCU trumpeter hits the big stage TX teen trumpeter performs at new WWI memorial in D.C. WWI memorial completed with 25-ton sculpture Mike Rowe: Born Cancelled with Sabin Howard  A man is only missing if he is forgotten. Our Doughboy MIA this month is Private Burwell Canady Jackson. He was born on October 26, 1896, in Lenoir County, North Carolina. He was raised on his family's farm, where he eventually took over the family operation after his father's passing in 1911. On April 24, 1917, Private Jackson enlisted in the U.S. Army at Fort Thomas, Kentucky. He sailed to France with Company F, 16th Infantry Regiment, 1st Division, arriving in St. Nazaire in June 1917. In November of that year, the 16th Infantry suffered the first U.S. casualties in France following a German raid on their trenches. The regiment later fought in the Battle of Cantigny. In a letter home, Private Jackson shared: "I have had many exciting experiences since I landed. I wish I could tell you just one, but it's impossible now. As I was among the first to land, I've taken it all in." On July 19th, 1918, Jackson's company was stalled by an enemy machine gun nest during the Aisne-Marne offensive. In a bold move, he single-handedly disabled the nest, earning the Distinguished Service Cross. His citation states: "For extraordinary heroism in action near Soissons, France, July 19th, 1918. He, alone, captured a machine gun, killed two of the crew, and took the remaining three prisoners. Later in the same day, he was killed while making a similar attempt." Shortly after this heroic action, Jackson was killed by enemy fire. Sergeant Karl Elsina witnessed his death and recounted: Would you like to be involved with solving the case of Private Burwell Canady Jackson, and all the other Americans still in MIA status from World War I? You can! Click here to make a tax-deductible donation to our non-profit organization today, and help us bring them home! Help us do the best job possible and give today, with our thanks. Remember: A man is only missing if he is forgotten. | Merchandise from the Official
Doughboy Foundation WWI Store  This book is the first work to salute America's official centennial World War One memorials. As selected by the Pritzker Military Museum & Library, Chicago, the Congress-appointed World War I Centennial Commission, these 100 diverse monuments represent equally varied and moving stories of dedication, sacrifice, and heroism. With more than 230 archival images, vintage posters, and new photographs, this richly illustrated volume journeys from Hawaii to Maine, Idaho to Florida, and Arizona to Illinois to celebrate tributes formed of metal, stone, and memory. The compelling text provides a deeper understanding of each memorial and salutes the many organizations today that bridge past and present to maintain and honor these expressions of the nation's heritage. "100 Cities 100 Memorials" is much more than a picture book. Through the powerful and personal narratives it tells, this volume stands as an eloquent testament to those who answered the call of duty and shaped one of the most consequential eras in American history. You can purchase a copy of this amazing book at The Doughboy Shop here. This and many other items are available as Official Merchandise of the Doughboy Foundation. |
No comments:
Post a Comment