United States World War I Centennial Commission

The United States World War I Centennial Commission was created by an Act of Congress in 2013.^[1] This Act was passed in order to honor and recognize the centennial of America's involvement with World War I.^[1] The Commission is in charge of planning, developing, and executing programs, projects, and activities to commemorate the centennial of World War I. The Commission also develops educational programs for a variety of audiences, organizes events to commemorate America's involvement in the War, and will establish a National World War I Memorial in Washington, D.C. The Pritzker Military Museum and Library is the founding sponsor of the Commission.^[2]

Members of the Commission were appointed by the President and the leaders of the Senate and the House of Representatives, as well as the American Legion, the Veterans of Foreign Wars, and the National World War I Museum. The Commission receives no appropriated funds, and the Commissioners serve without pay.

U.S. Involvement in World War I

When World War I broke out in Europe during the summer of 1914, the United States stuck to a strict policy of neutrality. On August 4, 1914, President Woodrow Wilson declared to Congress that, "The United States must be neutral in fact, as well as in name, during these days that are to try men's souls. We must be impartial in thought, as well as action." However, after years of unrestricted German submarine warfare, the sinking of the Lusitania, and the public release of the Zimmermann Telegram, the United States could no longer remain neutral in the international conflict. On April 6, 1917, Congress officially declared war against Germany and joined the Allied forces.^[3]

Led by General John J. Pershing, the American Expeditionary Forces arrived in Europe in June 1917. American forces participated in several major battles, most notably the Meuse-Argonne offensive.^[4] This became a major turning point in the War, which had been at a stalemate for years. The War would finally end a year later on November 11, 1918.^[3] Over 4.7 million American men and women would serve, and more than 116,000 American soldiers, or "doughboys" as they were commonly referred to, would pay the ultimate sacrifice.^[5][6]

Design Competition and National Memorial in D.C.

In 2014, Pershing Park was officially designated as the location for a National World War I Memorial.^[7] Pershing Park is located on Pennsylvania Avenue, one block away from the White House. Currently, there is a National World War I Memorial in Kansas City, Missouri, though none exists in Washington, D.C.

In May 2015, the Commission launched a design competition for the national World War I memorial project in D.C. Joe Weishaar, architect-in-training from Chicago, IL, and sculptor Sabin Howard, won the competition with "The Weight of Sacrifice" design they submitted.^[8][9] The memorial will preserve the statue of General John J. Pershing that currently exists in Pershing Park.^[10] Construction is planned to start in November 2017, with the goal of finishing by the 100th anniversary of the end of World War I in November 2018. Construction of the memorial is entirely funded through private donation.

100 Cities/100 Memorials

The "100 Cities/100 Memorials" is a fund-matching program implemented on July 2016, by the World War I Centennial Commission and the Pritzker Military Museum and Library, the program was created in response to world war memorials falling into disrepair and communities struggling to maintain them. The "100 Cities/100 Memorials" has been effective in helping communities across the United States restore and preserve local World War I memorials, and has been adopted by The American Legion by Resolution of the National Executive Committee.^[11] through:

Implementation

The "100 Cities/100 Memorials" works with communities across the US by:

A) Identify local World War I memorials in their area

B) Put together a conservation treatment proposal for a memorial in distress

C) Submit their plan for consideration for matching grant funds.

D) Have the memorial treated by an accredited conservator, with communication help & possible matching funds.

No Man's Land

No Man's Land: East Texas African Americans in World War 1, is a collaboration between the World War 1 Centennial Commission and the East Texas Historical Association to honor the eleven thousand African American veterans of World War 1 who service has often been overlooked.^[12]

The Commissioners

There are currently 11 Commissioners serving the U.S. World War I Centennial Commission, they come from diverse background, and serve without pay:^[13]

Honorary Chairs

All four living former Presidents have agreed to serve the commission as honorary chairmen:

Jimmy Carter

George H.W. Bush

Bill Clinton

George W. Bush

References