Dispatch Newletter

The WWI Centennial Dispatch is a weekly newsletter that touches the highlights of WWI centennial and the Commission's activities. It is a short and easy way to keep tabs on key happenings. We invite you to subscribe to future issues and to explore the archive of previous issues.

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July 11, 2016

Hawaii Centennial web site now operational
The Hawaii WWI Centennial Task Force has become the latest state organization to publish their official web site with the Commission. The URL is ww1cc.org/Hawaii or ww1cc.org/HI The Task Force is composed entirely of volunteers from Hawaii’s Military Veteran, Academic, Professional and Civic organizations. Over 10,000 men volunteered to serve in WW1 from Hawaii, and the War touched the lives of nearly all of the citizenry. Learn about theTask Force, and the Task Force's efforts to honor and remember Hawaii’s military veterans who served during the Great War, to educate Hawaii on the state's contributions to the War effort, and to facilitate grass-roots centennial commemorations.

President notes U.S. WW1 legacy in NATO speech
President Barack Obama on July 9 evoked the upcoming centennial of the U.S. entry into World War 1

as he asserted "the unwavering commitment of the United States to the security and defense of Europe, to our transatlantic relationship, to our commitment to our common defense." Speaking at a press conference on the final day of the NATO Summit in Warsaw, Poland, the President said that, though NATO faces an unprecedented range of security, humanitarian and political challenges, the alliance always can count on the United States, as the nation's European allies have done since 1917. See the video here.

A poet's "rendezvous with death" at the Somme
One hundred years ago this month, one of the bloodiest battles in history began near the Somme River in France.

In July of 1916, the United States had not yet officially entered World War I, but that did not stop some Americans from joining the Allied cause. One such American volunteer, poet Alan Seeger, would pay the ultimate price during the first week of this carnage, but not before penning the immortal lines of verse that later became a favorite of John F. Kennedy, who often asked his wife to recite it. Read about Seeger's life and death here.

WW1 aviation history swoops into Kentucky airport
It was the first Curtis Jenny ever to land at Columbia/Adair County Airport, "and I feel safe in saying it will be the last one to ever land here," airport Superintendent Alan W. Reed said.

On Saturday, July 9, the WW1-era Curtiss JN-4 "Jenny" biplane operated by Friends of Jenny made a fuel stop at this small Kentucky airport en route back to its base at Bowling Green, and the sight of the World War 1 biplane drew a crowd of aviation enthusiasts and history lovers. Check out the story with lots of photos here. Friends of Jenny is also working to reconstruct the only, as delivered to the military, WW1-era DH4 to flying status.

Commemorative Hat

Inspired by the iconic image of a U.S. Doughboy, you can wear your American pride with this Made in the USA hat.
Hat features:

Navy with white doughboy embroidery.
100% cotton,
structured hat with contrasting pancake visor,
sweatband and taping.
6 panel soft crown,
pre-curved bill.
Velcro closure features
U.S. flag emblem on this exclusive commemorative hat.
One Size Fits All.

Proceeds from the sale of this item will help to fund the building of the national World War One Memorial in Washington, D.C.
This and many other commemorative items are available in the Official Merchandise Shop.

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Matching Donation by the
Pritzker Military Museum and Library

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Hawaii's WW1 Centennial website is now live

Use Amazon Smile when you shop, designate us the charity and we will get a donation from Amazon at no cost to you!

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July 5, 2016

Thanks to our readers for the video fireworks
A big shout out to our DISPATCH readers for helping us spread the word about the national WW1 Memorial by sharing our July 4th donation appeal video on Facebook with your friends. Together, and with everyone’s support and help, we will get this national memorial to our brave WW1 veterans built in our nation's capital! Great thanks also to Secretary Leon Panetta, Ambassador Carol Mosley Braun, Dr. Vint Cert, and General Barry McCaffrey for their help in creating the Memorial donation appeal video.

100 Cities / 100 Memorials program debuts July 15
In the years following the Great War, thousands of Memorials to those who served in WW1 were built in cities and towns across America .

Over the decades, exposure to the elements has taken a toll on many of these memorials.
On July 15, the U.S. World War One Centennial Commission, the Pritzker Military Museum & Library, along with supporting organizations like the American Legion, will launch 100 Cities / 100 Memorials: a national matching grant challenge to preserve WWI monuments. Get an advance look at the program here.

WW1 partnership formalized for Oshkosh airshow
A formal partnership has been established between the Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA) annual Oshkosh Airshow, also known as OSH16, and the World War One Centennial Commission (WW1CC)

, for the event to honor the 4.7 million young men and women who served America in uniform during the Great War. The partnership reflects the World War One theme that this year’s Oshkosh visitors will see at the iconic air show in late July, as well as the increase in awareness and appreciation of World War One across the country as the 100th anniversary of American mobilization approaches. Read more about the new Oshkosh World War 1 partnership here.

Aviation timeline author answers five questions
Taking off from research for an upcoming book, Brigadier General R. G. Head,

USAF (Ret.) created the incredible Chronology of World War I Aviation Events now published on the WW1 Centennial Commission web site. In this interview, the author talks about what led to the Chronology's creation, why the air war in WW1 was so important, what he found out in his research that surprised him, and more. Oh, and he also builds airplane models―really big models. Launch into the high flight level story here.

Story of WW1 nurses told in one-woman show
"Ready to Serve" is the true story of 64 professional Maryland

nurses from Johns Hopkins University who went to France in WWI to staff an Army Field Hospital. This one-woman show by spoken word artist Ellouise Schoettler uses the nurses' own words to bring their little known eye-witness story to life again. Read about her research into the letters and diaries that reveal the difficulties of everyday life for these women during 1917 and 1918 on the battlefields of France. DISPATCH readers in the national capital region can take in the show during July. Find out more about "Ready to Serve" and get performance information here.

U.S. Army “Doughboy” Window Decal

Declare your support for these American veterans and show the world!
This window decal features the iconic Doughboy silhouette flanked by barbed wire so prevalent during WWI, you can proudly display this poignant reminder of the sacrifices made by these U.S. soldiers.
This and many other commemorative items are available in the Official Merchandise Store.

Take advantage of the
Matching Donation by the
Pritzker Military Museum and Library

Subscribe to Dispatch, Sync-call And More...

Thanks for helping set off
the fireworks with the
WW1 Memorial video.

Use Amazon Smile when you shop, designate us the charity and we will get a donation from Amazon at no cost to you!

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June 27, 2016

Give the WW1 Memorial some fireworks for the 4th

We are asking partners, associates, associated groups, and friends of the World War 1 Centennial Commission to post our 4^th of July Memorial Donation Appeal Video on their Facebook pages between June 29^th and July 4^th. This simple 20-second donation appeal for the National Memorial at Pershing Park is themed to work for the July 4th Holiday, and features Secretary Leon Panetta, Ambassador Carol Moseley Braun, Dr. Vint Cerf and General Barry McCaffrey, USA (Ret.). Please post the video on your Facebook page, and encourage your friends to post it on theirs. This is a simple way you can help spread the word about the Memorial, and encourage people to donate to the cause. Find out more about the National World War 1 Memorial at Pershing Park in Washington, DC here.

Commissioners' OpEd published in Virginia Pilot
Over the weekend, the Virginia Pilot newspaper published a n editorial written by Commissioners Libby O’Connell & Monique Seefried titled "Remembering the women of World War I."

The Commissioners pointed out how the recent naming of a new U.S. Navy destroyer in honor of Chief Nurse Lenah Higbee represents a long-overdue recognition of American women’s participation in World War I, as well as the seismic impact of World War I on the roles of American women both in military and in civilian life. Read the editorial on the Virginia Pilot Online web site here.

Author Strachan to receive PMML Lifetime award
The Pritzker Military Museum & Library is awarding its 2016 Literature Award for Lifetime Achievement in Military Writing to author, historian and military strategist Hew Strachan.

One of the world’s foremost scholars of 19th Century military history and World War One, and author of 14 major publications, including the first installment of his groundbreaking three-volume work on the First World War, Strachan is known for his incredibly detailed and carefully researched writings. Read about the awardee and the prestigious award here.
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French government delegation visits Commission
Senior officials of the French government visited the U.S. WW1 Centennial offices in Washington last week for a working session on international plans for the centennial.

Minister of State for Veterans and Remembrance Jean-Marc Todeschini, and Deputy Chief of Mission for the French Embassy Nathalie Broadhurst were among the delegation. Read more about the visit and discussions here.

Memorial sculptor inspired by studio visit

Sculptor Sabin Howard of the National World War 1 Memorial design team recently visited the studio of another sculptor who created on of the most iconic memorial sculptures in Washington, DC (or anywhere else), and drew great inspiration from the visit. Read about what Sabin saw, and how his work on the World War I Memorial has broadened his repertoire and moved him into a whole new realm of creativity.

"They’ve Earned Their Own Memorial" – Bumper Sticker

On December 19, 2014, Congress passed legislation designating Pershing Park in the District of Columbia as a national World War One Memorial. The Act authorizes the World War One Centennial Commission to further honor the service of members of the United States Armed Forces in World War One by developing the Pershing Park Site. The World War One Centennial Commission will coordinate events and activities commemorating the U.S. Centennial of The Great War. It is the Commission’s goal to build the memorial.
A portion of the proceeds from the sale of this item are designated for this endeavor. You can show your support, and help promote the efforts, by proudly displaying your custom bumper sticker.

A Certificate of Authenticity as Official Merchandise of the United States World War One Centennial is included.
Get this and many other commemorative items at the Official Merchandise Shop.

Take advantage of the
Matching Donation by the
Pritzker Military Museum and Library

Subscribe to Dispatch, Sync-call And More...

Post the new
WW1 Memorial donation appeal video for the
4th of July
on your Facebook page..

Use Amazon Smile when you shop, designate us the charity and we will get a donation from Amazon at no cost to you!

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June 20, 2016

WW1 impacts still being felt in Detroit and Dayton
Events in two Midwestern cities last week spoke to the enduring effects of World War 1 on America. In Detroit, a construction crew tearing down a building scattered, and the Bomb Squad rushed to the scene, as grim reminders of the Great War emerged from the ground unexpectedly. Read the story of this high-caliber historical event here.

Meanwhile, in Dayton, Ohio, a new exhibit at Carillon Historical Park called “Over There: Dayton and the Great War,” not only gives visitors the feel of being in the trenches in wartime France, but also illustrates how World War 1 caused fundamental changes within America itself. Explore how “The war made Dayton” here.

High-flying heroes of WW1, some with feathers!
A great new aviation feature, and the story of the pint-sized flier who saved the last of the

Lost Battalion, landed on the World War 1 Centennial Commission web site this week. A Chronology of World War I Aviation Events is a detailed timeline of the key aviation milestones before, during and immediately after the war, curated by retired Air Force

Brigadier General and well-known aviation author Richard G. Head. Get the story on this amazing resource here. Meanwhile, the term "feathered friend" was never more appropriate than for the indomitable carrier pigeon "Cher Ami" whose dogged courage under fire help save the "Lost Battalion" and earned a permanent display at the Smithsonian Institution. Read the whole story of the medal-winning hero here.

New summer interns are now in the trenches
Interns and volunteers are essential to the operation of the U.S. World War 1 Centennial Commission. As a Federal agency with no appropriated funds, the

Commission really depends on interns to do a lot of heavy lifting in research and other areas, and has had the good fortune to have so many smart, dedicated, and hard-working students interning over the past two years. The 2016 Summer Intern class arrived at the Commission offices over the last two weeks, and this group hopes to meet or exceed the high standards set by their predecessors. Click here to get introduced.

“To Educate, Commemorate, and Honor.” These are the Commission’s three founding principles, and in partnering with the National WWI Memorial & Museum, the Commission is able to achieve all three. With this in mind, the Commission is excited to announce the launch of our new World War I Education eNewsletter. This electronic publication allows the Commission and the Museum to bring the First World War into the 21st Century. The first issue of the newsletter will be released on June 21st via email, and new editions will follow on the third Tuesday of every other month. Click here for more information and to subscribe to the newsletter on the Commission’s website.

“They flew on a wing and a prayer, because they flew without parachutes."

This 8” x 12” embossed sign depicts historical images of fighter planes, limited in safety equipment, during World War One.
Looking back at images of The Great War and recognizing the sacrifices made by a generation one century ago, inspired the designs of our metal signs collection.We hope you appreciate the combination of history and humor in each design.
A Certificate of Authenticity as Official Merchandise of the United States World War One Centennial is included.
A portion of the proceeds from the sale of this item goes to fund the building of the national World War One Memorial in Washington, D.C.
This and many other commemorative items are available in the Official Merchandise Shop.

Take advantage of the
Matching Donation by the
Pritzker Military Museum and Library

Subscribe to Dispatch, Sync-call And More...

World War 1 German artillery shells impacted Detroit last week

Use Amazon Smile when you shop, designate us the charity and we will get a donation from Amazon at no cost to you!

Founding Sponsor

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June 13, 2016

Commission in partnerships for WW1 education
The U.S. World War 1 Centennial Commission is partnering with a broad range of organizations, such as the Department of Education, History Channel, Smithsonian Institute, Library of Congress, and National World War 1 Museum and Memorial in order provide a diverse collection of free, online teaching resources to the public. The program will cover the entire war, with a particular emphasis on American involvement, and its lasting effect on world affairs. By the conclusion of the Centennial period, the Commission hopes to have reached over 10 million students across the country. Read more about this ambitious educational initiative here.

World War 1 "Remembrance" grabs national award
The Lynn Meadows Discovery Center in Mississippi became one of 10 institutions honored with the National Medal for Museum and Library Services for its

WINGS Performing Arts Program, which recently went on tour to perform "Remembrance," an original play about the horrors of the First World War. The award was presented at a White House ceremony by First Lady Michelle Obama. Read about this great honor for a fine organization and a powerful play.

U.S. Mint honors Native Americans' WWI service

While awaiting the selection of the design for the U.S. World War 1 coin to be released in 2018, numismatists and others interested in the Great War may want to look at the 2016 Native American $1 Coin from the United States Mint. The coin honors the service on Navajo "Code Talkers" in World War 1 and World War 2.

Illinois state web site is now operational

Illinois has become the latest state to launch its own site on the U.S. World War 1 Centennial Commission web site, joining Georgia, Maryland, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, and Virginia. Several more states are nearing launch as well. Built by the Illinois World War I Centennial Committee, the site highlights the service and sacrifices of Illinois citizens in the Great War. Check out their great new site here. Kudos to Susan Mennenga, Nick Carrol, and Andy Bullen for all their efforts to make this happen.

Learn More. Read: Over There America in the Great War

This book is available in the Official Merchandise Shop.

The Author Col. Robert J. Dalessandro, USA (Ret.), is also the chairman of the U.S. World War One Centennial Commission. He has been director of the U.S. Army Heritage and Education Center and chief of military history at the U.S. Army Center of Military History, and is currently deputy secretary of the American Battle Monuments Commission. He is revisor for Stackpole's Army Officer's Guide and author of Willing Patriots: Men of Color in the First World War, American Lions: The 332nd Infantry Regiment in Italy in World War I, and Organization and Insignia of the American Expeditionary Force. Dalessandro lives in northern Virginia.
More than 360 photographs detail the American military experience in World War I on the ground, in the air, and at sea, from recruitment to the Armistice. This is the premier visual history of the United States in the Great War to be published during these centennial years.

Features not only the Doughboys and Devil Dogs, but also flying aces, doctors and nurses, seamen, and the German enemy
photos of weapons and equipment, uniforms, insignia, and medals
Richly informative text and captions by an expert on World War I and battlefield interpretation

Take advantage of the
Matching Donation by the
Pritzker Military Museum and Library