The U.S. World War I Centennial Commission has allied with the American Legion, and with the Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History (GLI), to produce a series of programs to teach educators about World War I topics. Using a $50,000 grant from the American Legion, the Gilder Lehrman Institute will produce World War I-themed "Teaching Literacy through History" seminars in 6 cities throughout the 2017/2018 calendar school year. The Centennial Commission will assist in providing curriculum content, communication support, and other resources. The locations of the six seminars will be Anchorage, AK, Albuquerque, NM, Louisville, KY, San Diego, CA, Providence, RI, and Detroit, MI. Read more about this WWI education initiative here.

Coin World Magazine has announced that The United States Mint will unveil designs selected from a juried competition for the 2018 World War I American Veterans Centennial silver dollar on October 9 in Washington, D.C., in conjunction with the Association of the United States Army annual meeting and exposition. World War I Centennial Commission officials confirmed Aug. 29 the October unveiling date, but noted the event will not include release of the obverse and reverse designs for five silver medals honoring the branches of the U.S. military — United States Army, United States Navy, United States Marines, United States Air Force and United States Coast Guard. Read the entire Coin World Magazine article about the planned October 9 unveiling of the coin design here.

One hundred years after World War I, a powwow in North Dakota will honor Native Americans who served in the conflict before they were even considered U.S. citizens. They'll be remembered at the 48th annual International Powwow next weekend at United Tribes Technical College in Bismarck. Several hundred family members and descendants of World War I Native servicemen are expected to participate in the ceremony on Sunday, Sept. 10. Names will be read of more than 355 veterans from five tribes who served in World War I, including Sgt. John W. Smith from the Fort Berthold Indian Reservation. Before he left he wrote a note on a picture of himself that said, "Forget me not." Read more here about this ceremony to remember and honor those who served.

We are following with great interest the construction progress of the new National Museum of the U.S. Army. The museum will house a remarkable collection of artifacts that will tell the story of our nation's military history, from our very beginnings as a nation, right up to present-day.  We are pleased to learn that World War I will play a front-and-center role in that story. The Museum promises to have a truly world-class collection of artifacts from World War I, to include period uniforms owned by high-profile figures from the war, pivotal documents that shaped the war's outcome, weapons that were used in combat, and much, much more. Among the items that will have a permanent home there is a very special tank, the "Five of Hearts", which was a combat veteran from the battle of Meuse-Argonne, and which was recovered from the battlefield soon after the war, and returned to the U.S. as a special tribute to the the courage of those first tank soldiers to serve in the U.S. Army. We spoke to Dr. Patrick R. Jennings, Ph.D., Programs & Education Specialist at the National Museum of the United States Army, to hear more about this great museum, and about it's World War I artifacts.

Nathan Bynum works as an Instructor/Producer with the "Document Arlington" community video project. He has spent the several past months leading a group of film students in the creation of a documentary film about Arlington County and WWI. Members of the World War I Centennial Commission attended a special screening of the film last week, and it was amazing. It shows a truly grassroots effort by local high students to engage with WWI in their community. We caught up with Nathan recently, and asked him about the World War I film project.

As teachers and students go back to school, the National World War I Museum and Memorial announced the launch of a contest to “Send a Deserving Teacher on an Adventure!” The Museum is offering the public the opportunity to give something special to deserving teachers who make a difference in the lives of students with the grand prize winner receiving a trip to Kansas City for a personalized experience at America’s official World War I museum and memorial. Through Friday, Sept. 8, the public may enter a deserving teacher for the opportunity to win an adventure to Kansas City that includes airfare, hotel accommodations and admission to the National World War I Museum and Memorial for two (2) people (the nominated teacher and a guest of their choice), where they can meet with Museum collections and education staff and enjoy a personalized Museum experience. Read more about this opportunity to give a great teacher and outstanding trip.

The Coast Guard and its aviators played a vital role in the World War I war effort. In 1916, Congress authorized the Coast Guard to develop an aviation branch, including aircraft, air stations and pilots. Coast Guard officers began to train at the Navy’s Pensacola Naval Flight School. Lt. Philip Bentley Eaton was one of these officers. On April 6, 1917, the U.S. declared war on Germany and the Coast Guard was transferred from the Treasury Department to the U.S. Navy. As Commanding Officer of Naval Air Station Chatham on Cape Cod, Eaton led the first fight between U.S. naval aviation and the German U-Boat menace in U.S. waters. Read the entire absorbing account of this action, and Eaton's contributions as one of the Coast Guard aviators who have made their mark as members of the service’s long blue line. 

The WW1 Centennial News Podcast is about WW1 THEN: 100 years ago this week, and it's about WW1 NOW: News and updates about the centennial and the commemoration. 

Available on our web site, iTunes, Google Play, and TuneIn.

Highlights Episode #35
"China, Japan &
Native American Soldiers"

WW1 in China and Japan |@ 02:30
Mike Shuster - The fire at Salonika |@ 11:35
Dr. “Russ” McDonald on 49th UTTC International Powwow |@ 18:15
Speaking WWI - This week: “Field Day” |@ 24:50 
Joel Mize on 100C/100M project in Mussel Shoals, AL |@ 26:00
Chris Connelly - Story of Service about USMC grandfather |@ 34:20
Tanveer Kalo - former intern becoming subject matter expert |@ 40:30
The Buzz - This week in social Media |@ 41:50

This week's WWrite blog post is for literature, history, and, yes, champagne lovers.
Motivation for weary WWI soldiers? Champagne. In 1915, the French government voted to send "champagne," the bubbly, celebratory drink, as a morale booster to troops. Meanwhile, Champagne, the French region and source of the world's most elegant wine symbolizing celebration and peace, amassed severe wounds as a strategic point on Western Front. Don't miss this well-researched, insightful post about the region and its signature drink during WWI by journalist, Marsha Dubrow. Cheers!

Order an Official WW1 Centennial Flag in time for Veterans Day! $49.95

This WW1 Centennial Flag is made of durable nylon and measures 3x5'.  Now is the time to get This flag for your planned "Armistice" / Veterans day WWI memorial event.

If you are a state organization, American Legion Post, VFW Post, DAR Chapter or any other VSO planning an event this coming Veterans Day in commemoration of the Centennial of WWI - This is the right time to order your official US WW1 Centennial flag to fly proudly at your event. 

This and many other items are available as Official Merchandise of the United States World War One Centennial.