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"To not honor those men and women for their service and sacrifice would be a discredit to their memories."
Architect Joe Weishaar, designer of the national World War I Memorial in Washington, D.C., will be going home April 3 to speak on "To End All Wars: The Fight for the National World War I Memorial" as part of the Honors College Invites lecture series at the University of Arkansas, his alma mater. Weishaar was interviewed by the Northwest Arkansas Democrat Gazette newspaper in anticipation of his appearance at the University next month. Click here to read the entire insightful interview about how Weishaar's world has changed since winning the design competition for the Memorial.
Women played vital roles in World War I
At the time of the First World War, most women were barred from voting or serving in military combat roles. Many saw the war as an opportunity to not only serve their countries but to gain more rights and independence. With millions of men away from home, women filled manufacturing and agricultural positions on the home front. Others provided support on the front lines as nurses, doctors, ambulance drivers, translators and, in rare cases, on the battlefield. Click here to read more about how American women mobilized for the war effort a century ago.
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The American Legion organization’s 55 departments and nearly 12,500 posts across the country and around the world are celebrating a century of service to community, state and nation that began in Paris March 15-17, 1919, when war-weary members of the American Expeditionary Forces gathered for a “morale conference” that led to the creation of what would become The American Legion. Only 300 troops were expected to attend. Officially, 463 registered. Some have estimated that more than 1,000 came and went, with or without orders, during the weekend that launched a century of accomplishments unforeseeable, if not unimaginable, at the time. Click here to read more about how a chaotic and informal wartime meeting was the genesis of the nation's largest veterans organization a century ago this month.
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In order to fill severe clerical shortages caused by World War I, the U.S. Navy approved the enlistment of women in 1917. The Naval Reserve Act of 1916 made no specific gender requirements for yeomen, enlisted personnel who fulfill administrative and clerical duties. So either by deliberate omission or accident, the act opened the opportunity to enlist women. One of the first through the door on March 17, 1917 was Loretta Perfectus Walsh, who became the first active-duty female in the Navy who wasn’t a nurse. The newly-enlisted Sailors were given the rating Yeoman (F), with the “F” designating female. More popularly referred to as “yeomanettes,” the majority worked in clerical positions, but they also served as translators, draftsmen, fingerprint experts, ship camouflage designers and recruiting agents. Click here to read more about how these women pioneers in military service set the standard for all who followed.
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Pvt. Walter Beagles arrived at Camp Jackson, South Carolina, in 1918, an African American draftee in a segregated Army that relegated black soldiers to labor battalions out of a prejudiced notion that they couldn’t fight. More than 100 years later, his great-grandson now serves as the base’s 51st commanding general. Brig. Gen. Milford Beagle, Jr., a combat veteran who took command last June, admits that it gets to him, knowing he’s serving where his ancestor served but under vastly different circumstances. “It does become pretty surreal to know that the gates my great-grandfather came through are the same gates I come through,” Beagle said. Click here to read this entire fascinating article about a family's World War I saga.
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From the World War I Centennial News Podcast
Spotlight on the Media: 'The Hello Girls' Documentary Executive Producer Jim Theres
Episode #114 The Great War / Great Depression Connection
Host - Theo Mayer 100 Years Ago This Week - Host | @ 02:00
Imperialism at the Peace Conference - Mike Shuster | @ 10:55
The Great War and the Great Depression Connection - Prof. Maury Klein | @ 15:15
A Pioneering American Woman Doctor in WWI - Dr. Edward Lengel | @ 22:30
No Seat at the Table: Ireland - Host | @ 26:55
“Official Bulletin” Back Online - Host | @ 30:05
Cantata: And Crimson Roses Once Again Be Fair - Alejandro Valdez & Joseph Turrin | @ 32:55
Winner: 2019 Canine Hero of the Year - Host | @ 41:15
Speaking WWI: Dog Fight | @ 42:35
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Where do we go from here, girls?
BEHIND THEIR LINES examines American women's responses to the changes in society that followed World War I.
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Submitted by: Patti Jacobsen {great-niece}
John "Jack" Thomas Nilles born around 1889. John "Jack" Nilles served in World War 1 with the United States Army. The enlistment was in 1918 and the service was completed in 1918.
Story of Service
My great-uncle, John Thomas “Jack” Nilles was born 24 March 1889 in Two Rivers, Wisconsin, the eighth and youngest child of Peter Hubert Nilles and Anna Margaret (Beth) Nilles. He attended St. Luke’s Catholic School through the eighth grade.
By 1909, Jack decided to learn the lumbering and building material business and he started at the bottom in order to gain practical knowledge in his field. He worked at Schmitt Lumber in Two Rivers and later at Farrell Lumber in Algoma, Wisconsin.
He was socially active, a member of the Columbus Club and served as club secretary for a number of years. As a musician, he played cornet with the local band and attended local dances.
Jack registered for the draft in the first registration on 5 June 1917: for all men between ages 21 and 30. His registration states that no one was dependent on him for support.
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