May 2, 2016
Commission meeting set May 4 in Kansas City
The United States World War 1 Centennial Commission will hold a public meeting on May 4, 2016, in Kansas City at the National World War I Museum and Memorial, 100 W 26th Street, Kansas City, MO 64108. The meeting is open to the public. Persons wishing to listen to the proceedings may dial 712-432-1001 and enter access code 474845614. Note this is not a toll-free number. For more information on the meeting, check out the full official announcement in the Federal Register.
Commission inks partnership with Flanders
The U.S. World War One Centennial Commission signed a partnership of mutual support with the Government of Flanders regarding the commemoration of the Centennial of World War I in a ceremony April 26 at the University Library of Leuven, a 15th century building which was destroyed in World War I, but later restored with American assistance. Read the full story here.
Ceremony in DC honors In Flanders Fields
 World War 1 Centennial Commission Vice Chair Edwin Fountain was a featured speaker at the second annual In Flanders Fields commemoration event at the Washington, DC World War 1 Memorial on May 1. The In Flanders Field Fund presents the events marking the anniversary of the famous World War One poem “In Flanders Fields” to honor the the poem’s author, Lt. Col. John McCrae, M.D., as well as all those who gave and lost their lives in WWI. Read more about the DC ceremony here.
Commission website a double winner at the 22nd Annual Communicator Awards
 The winners of the 22nd Annual Communicator Awards were announced on April 26, 2016 by the Academy of Interactive and Visual Arts. The U.S. World War 1 Centennial Commission website received an Award of Distinction in both the Government and the Non-Profit Website categories. With over 6,000 entries received from across the US and around the world, the Communicator Awards is the largest and most competitive awards program honoring creative excellence for communications professionals. Read more about the awards here.
“Nothing Stops These Men” – Custom Key Tag
 Inspired by an original World War One poster, this key tag features the dramatic image of a bayonet advance on the enemy, with the United States flag in the upper corner.
A functional way to show your patriotism, this 1-1/4” long, custom key tag has a bright gold finish, with color-fill, and is offered exclusively through the World War One Centennial Commission. A portion of the proceeds goes towards funding the building of the National World War One Memorial at Pershing Park in Washington, D.C.
A Certificate of Authenticity as Official Merchandise of the United States World War One Centennial is included.
This and many more commemoration items are available at the Official Merchandise Store.
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With Memorial Day just a few short weeks away, 
ceremonies marking the 100th anniversary of the establishment of the Lafayette Escadrille, and the re-dedication of the renovated and restored memorial to the unit. You'll find lots of coverage and great photos in the 
on the Commission web site looks at Marine Corps Muster Rolls, and how you can use them to trace the service of a Leatherneck ancestor who wore the Eagle, Globe, and Anchor in World War 1. 
The Selective Service Act, enacted May 18, 1917, put the legal mechanism in place to boost the armed forces, but the Federal government did not have mechanisms to implement it. The gap was filled by the many voluntary associations which helped drive registration for the draft. Christopher Capozzola, a historian at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, discussed the role of volunteerism during 
