Washington, DC will be the site of a number of remarkable World War I-themed events, exhibits, and activities during the days leading up to, and beyond, the Armistice Centennial. The U.S. World War One Centennial Commission is honoring the more than 4 million Americans who served in during WWI, and the 116,525 men and women who sacrificed their lives, with a “First Look at the National World War l Memorial” program between November 8 and 12, 2018. The Memorial site will be open to the public each day beginning with a presentation of colors at 9 a.m. and concluding with “Taps” at sunset daily. The “First Look Pavilion” will be open 11 am to 5 pm each day. Click here to read more about A First Look, and all the other commemorative events presented by the Commission and other organizations in DC.

Firing on the First World War’s Western Front ended on Nov. 11, 1918. This year marks 100 years since the stillness fell across the battlefields of Europe on the “the 11th hour on the 11th day of the 11th month.” To commemorate the end of World War I, President Woodrow Wilson officially recognized Nov. 11 as Armistice Day – a day of somber remembrance recognized around the world, with many stopping for a moment of silence at the 11th hour of this day to honor those who brought about the end of the “Great War.” The National WWI Museum and Memorial will capture the world’s attention with activities for all ages to commemorate the end of the war, beginning Nov. 1 through the centennial of the World War I Armistice on Nov. 11. Click here to read more about the big list of commemorative activities scheduled at the Museum.

The World War I Centennial Commission and the National Park Service have designated the Liberty Bell in Philadelphia as the Honorary Bell of Peace to commemorate the Centennial of the Armistice on November 11, as part of the Commission's nationwide Bells of Peace project. The Liberty Bell, the most prominent and revered bell in the nation, is on display in Philadelphia at the National Park Service’s Independence Park. Click here to read more about the Liberty Bell, and the plans at Independence Hall in Philadelphia to participate in Bells of Peace.

As part of the garrison's centennial celebration Oct. 19, 2018, Fort Benning, Georgia, officially opened a recreation of the training trenches the U.S. Army Infantry School used on post nearly 100 years ago. The new trench, which the Directorate of Public Works dug out recently, is meant to educate visitors about the post's previous training mission. It is a short walk from a small portion of the original training trenches that many decades had weathered and overgrown. Camp Benning was established at a site near Columbus, Georgia, Oct. 19, 1918, after the Infantry School staff and students arrived from Fort Sill, Oklahoma. Part of the training they conducted was in trench warfare. Click here to read more about the new trench exhibit, and about Ft. Benning's important role in training U.S> Army personnel in WWI.

The California World War I Centennial Task Force and the American Legion Post 43 in Los Angeles are teaming up for a special Armistice Centennial Event—and You’re Invited! The California World War One Armistice Centennial Commemoration Event takes place on Monday, November 12th, 2018, 1:30 p.m. at American Legion Hollywood Post 43, 2035 N Highland Avenue, Los Angeles 90068. The event is Free.  Refreshments will be provided. Presenters at the event will showcase period newspaper articles and text from those engaged in the war effort. Music from the era will also be performed. Click here to read more about this commemorative event, and the California World War I Centennial Task Force.

LAST CHANCE TO ORDER...

The Armistice Film Festival order window is closing at 5pm Eastern on Wednesday, October 31.

We are excited by the many festival hosts who are holding this unique Veterans Day Weekend event. Your communities are sure to appreciate this special - and not insubstantial - effort to bring information, education and entertainment about WWI into the centennial of the Armistice.

Festivals include:  Several city tour - RI | Friday Harbor, WA | Irwin, PA | Muscle Shoals, AL | Watford City, ND | Harrington, WA | Austin, MN | Brownsville, OR | Fredericksburg, VA | Newburgh, NY | Lynchburg, VA | Washington, DC | Marysville, CA | Wayland, NY | Honolulu, HI | Brooklyn Center, MN | Livonia, NY | Bryan, TX | Los Angeles, CA |

And a special thanks to the nearly 100 of you who contacted us, greatly interested but who were not able to undertake the logistics of holding a film festival in your communities this Veterans Day weekend.

Still thinking about having a film festival? Click here right now!

On Saturday, November 10, 2018, the New Orchestra of Washington will host a concert dedicated to the Armistice Day on November 10 at 5 pm at the Church of the Epiphany, 1317 G Street Northwest Washington, DC. At the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month of 1918, World War I – the Great War – ended. The New Orchestra of Washington, Washington Master Chorale, and Musica Viva NY commemorate this solemn occasion one hundred years later with a co-commission from acclaimed American composer Joseph Turrin (left), based on texts by war poets. The program also features works by Holst and and Ravel, both composers directly affected by World War I. Click here to learn more about this musical remembrance of the end of World War I.

In October 19th's WW1 Centennial News Podcast, Episode 93, host Theo Mayer spoke with journalist and renowned pigeon expert Andrew Blechman (left), a name that we frequently encountered while researching pigeons for Episode 92. In the interview, Mr. Blechman answered questions about this unique bird, its long relationship with humanity, and of course, how the pigeon impacted the War that Changed the World. Click here to read a transcript of the entire interview, but be forewarned: this interview is for the birds.

In October 19th's WW1 Centennial News Podcast, Episode 94, host Theo Mayer spoke with Maestro Rik Ghesquiere, a Belgian conductor participating in a special WW1 commemorative event in Nashville on November 10th and 11th. Click here to read a transcript of the interview, edited for clarity:

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

Episode #95 Highlights: Preparing for Peace & War

Host: Theo Mayer

Preparing for Peace & War - Host | @01:50

The fighting and plans continue - Mike Shuster | @08:40

America Emerges: Brig. Gen. Hunter Liggett - Dr. Edward Lengel | @12:35

Live Streaming Armistice events - Host | @19:30

Events around the nation - Host | @21:35

Pvt. Roy W. Hamm Tribute Train - Ted Lemen | @23:15

“Hello Girl” Grace Banker - Carolyn Timbie | @28:40

Century of Sound - James Errington | @36:05

Speaking WWI: Nothing to write home about - Host | @44:25

WWI WarTech: Flexing the new arsenal - Host | @45:35

Articles & Posts: The Dispatch - Host | @47:35

The Buzz: Social Media Posts - Katherine Akey | @52:05

A WWrite Blog exclusive!

WWrite asked Donald Anderson, Professor of English and Writer-in-Residence at the United States Airforce Academy, to write a post about WWI for the blog.

Anderson's Gathering Noise from My Life: A Camouflaged Memoir, was named by the Christian Science Monitor as one of “12 Electrifying Memoirs” of 2012. A few days after WWrite's request, he sent the following original piece, entitled "How Do Wars Begin?" A unique mix of poetry, prose, fiction, and history, "How Do Wars Begin?", brings together British poet Wilfred Owen, Archduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria, the Archduke's assassin, Princip, bombs, and an expired cyanide pill to put into question not only the origins of WWI but of all contemporary conflicts.

Read Anderson's powerful literary composition "How Do Wars Begin?" at WWrite this week!

A man is only missing if he is forgotten.

Monday's MIA this week is Private Joseph C. Teeters. Born June 20th, 1890 in Hopewell, Pennsylvania, Joe Teeters was drafted April 26th, 1918. He was sent to Camp Taylor, Kentucky and trained with the 24th Company, 6th Battalion, 159th Depot Brigade. He embarked for overseas service July 22nd, 1918 and ‘Over There’ was assigned to Company A, 7th Infantry Regiment, 3rd ‘Rock of the Marne’ Division. With that unit he was killed in action on October 2th, 1918 during the Meuse-Argonne Campaign. Nothing further is known of his case at this time.

Private Teeters’ case is an excellent example of why we need YOUR help. Solving these cases takes research, and research costs money. 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.

WWI Centennial Commemorative Lapel Pin

 Proudly Wearing the WWI 100 Years lapel pin is a fantastic way to let folks serving in the military, along with veterans, know that we still honor those who served our country one hundred years ago.  This satin nickel lapel pin is a simple, yet meaningful, way to display your pride and remember those who sacrificed throughout our nation’s great history. A portion of the proceeds from the sale of this item goes towards funding the building of the national World War One Memorial in Washington, D.C. 

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

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