This presentation was a scheduled part of regulatory reviews of the memorial's design concept by oversight agencies, which include the CFA, the U.S. National Park Service (NPS), and the National Capital Planning Commission (NCPC). The main presenters were project landscape architect David Rubin, along with Centennial Commission Chair Terry Hamby and Commissioner Dr. Libby O'Connell (pictured at right).

The results of the CFA meeting and the approval of the design concept received media coverage across the nation. The Military Times posted a substantial article about the approval and the way ahead for the memorial construction. The Arkansas Gazette published an in-depth interview with Arkansas native and World War I Memorial designer Joseph Weishaar (at left).

On November 11, 2018 at 11:00 a.m. American citizens and organizations will be invited to toll bells in their community to commemorate the 116,516 American men and women who lost their lives during World War One. Participating in this momentous event is the Washington Memorial Chapel at Valley Forge, who will proudly utilize their National Patriots Bell Tower, a prestigious structure complete with 58 bronze bells and a combined weight of 26 tons, to toll its bells Twenty-One times in commemoration of America’s World War One fallen. The Chapel itself has an interesting story, built as a memorial to George Washington and his troops encamped at Valley Forge, it has continued to be a memorial to America’s fallen in every war since. In the case of World War One the Chapel’s statue entitled “Sacrifice and Devotion” (pictured at right) dedicated to the mothers of America who have lost their sons in battle, has become a pilgrimage site for the families of soldiers who never came home from the war. Read more about the Washington Memorial Chapel and its participation in Bells of Peace here.

“There we were watching New York’s skyline diminish, and wondering if we’d be heroes or corpses,” Harry S. Truman later recalled as he departed New York for the battlefields of France in the spring of 1918. Truman returned a hero, and his service helped set him on the path to the presidency. “‘Heroes or Corpses’: Captain Truman in World War I” tells the captivating story of Truman’s service in the Great War through never-before-exhibited photographs, personal letters and more than 40 artifacts from Truman’s personal World War I collection. Read more about this extraordinary exhibit at the Truman Presidential library here.

This week marks the centennial of the sinking of the USS San Diego, off the coast of Long Island NY. Mystery surrounds the sinking to the day, but the initial investigation placed likely blame on a sea-borne mine planted by a German U-Boat. Six U.S. Navy sailors lost their lives in the tragedy.  A story  created by the staff of the U.S. Naval History and Heritage Command, as part of their special online portal of resources related to World War I, tells the history of the San Diego, the tragedy of her sinking, and how her wreck off Long Island remains a dangerous place to visit for divers 100 years later. Read this absorbing in-depth article here.

With this past weekend’s Open Championship at Scotland's famous Carnoustie Golf Links, we look back to the first British Open ever played at Carnoustie in 1931, to tell the story of its champion, Tommy Armour. Few people know that Armour, dubbed the “Silver Scott”, was a World War I hero -- who took up golf to help recover from his significant war wounds. Read how Armour distinguished himself on the battlefield and how the grit and determination that he gained from combat were applied to his golf game, resulting in a man with different legacies on both sides of the Atlantic.

In July 13th's WW1 Centennial News Podcast, Episode 80, Lisa Polay, Vince Buono, and Bill Payne spoke with host Theo Mayer about the World War I centennial room at American Legion Post 72 in Saugerties, NY, built as a permanent exhibit to commemorate the town's World War I veterans. Read the transcript of this interview from the podcast here.

In July 13th's WW1 Centennial News Podcast, Episode 80, genealogy expert Deborah Dudek (right) spoke with host Theo Mayer about researching family members who served in the war. Additionally, Theo Mayer explains how anyone can upload their ancestor's information to our Stories of Service page. Read the transcript of this interview from the podcast here.

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, Podbean, TuneIn, Stitcher Radio on Demand.  Spotify  listen on Youtube. New - Comment and ask questions via twitter @TheWW1podcast

Picture This!
Episode #81
Highlights:

100 Years Ago: From state militias to a huge standing army | @02:15

Great War Project: Gas by railroad - Mike Shuster | @11:55

America Emerges: Battle of Soisson - Dr. Edward Lengel | @15:50

Commission News: CFA Reviews Nat. WWI Memorial project | @22:25

Update from the States: Exhibit in Helena Arkansas - Drew Ulrich | @25:20

Spotlight on the Media: Waldo Pierce Goes to War - Corine Reiss | @30:30

100 Cities / 100 Memorials: Yuma Arizona - Mayor Nichols & John Courtis | @35:25

WWI WarTech: Imaging in WWI | @41:45

Speaking WWI: Snapshot | @46:30

Articles & Posts: Weekly Dispatch | @48:00

Commemoration in Social Media - Katherine Akey | @50:40

F. Scott Fitzgerald and WWI: The "Crack Up" Essays.

F. Scott Fitzgerald never got shipped out to fight in WWI, but the brush with combat influenced his life and writing forever. While Fitzgerald is known for his short stories and novels, the invisible wounds of living through war on the home front comes through most poignantly in his non-fiction work. This week on WWrite, former Army infantryman in Afghanistan and writer, Colin D. Halloran, discusses Fitzgerald's painful experiences by looking at the lesser-known "Crack Up" personal essays, published in Esquire in 1936. Halloran, who has explored PTSD and post-traumatic growth in his works, Shortly Thereafter and Icarian Flux, walks us through Fitzgerald's post-WWI emotional journey.

A man is only missing if he is forgotten.

Monday's MIA this week is Private Earl Clifford Hyatt. Born April 18th, 1895, in Benham, Indiana, Private Hyatt was a farmer when he was called into service on September 9th, 1917. He took his training at Camp Taylor, Kentucky with Company A, 355th Regiment, 84th Division. Sent to Camp Sevier, South Carolina, Hyatt went overseas on May 17th, 1918. In France he was reassigned to Company I, 120th Infantry, 30th Division, which was brigaded with the British forces. He was killed in action with them at St. Souplet during the final offensive in the Somme River valley on October 18th, 1918. Buried in a British temporary cemetery near St. Quentin, his remains later went unidentified. Nothing else is known at this time.

Would you like to help us solve this case? Why not give 'Ten For Them' to Doughboy MIA and help us make a full accounting of the 4,423 American service personnel still listed as missing in action from WW1. Make your tax deductible donation now, with our thanks.

“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.

This and many other items are available as Official Merchandise of the United States World War One Centennial.  A Certificate of Authenticity as Official Merchandise of the United States World War One Centennial is included.

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