And were standing here next to the statue of general John J pershing. At we are standing here next to the statue of general John J at the site that was originally known as hyde park, dedicated in 1991. General was of course the commander of the american exhibition airy forces in World War i, or atf. They were those american soldiers who fought on the western front, and elsewhere in europe during the great war. He was their commander. And in 1956, about eight years after he died, congress authorized the american monument direct a memorial to general pershing, founding chairman of the abs see. The commission was created by congress after World War i to design and maintain american military cemeteries in monuments in europe after the great war. Its mission has expanded to include World War ii and other conflicts as well. And so, ultimately, this memorial originally authorized in 1996 was dedicated 1991. By that time, this site had become included in the overall effort to restore pennsylva
Next the united States World War one Centennial Commission marks the opening of the national World War I Memorial in Washington Dc with a Video Tribute and Flagraising Ceremony to honor the 4. 7 million americans who served during the war the memorial opened to the public on april 16th. It you for more than two centuries the stars and stripes has flown over the land of the free. And the home of the brave we know that its flying around the World Today everywhere us forces are stationed protecting all of us. There are nuns still alive who saw it flying above the american doughboys in places like bella wood cantini and the muse are gone. Now its our job to keep faith with those brave men and women who came before us. In less than two years some 4. 7 million americans would join the armed forces during World War one. Many of them volunteers and just six months of decisive combat. More would die than in a decade of War And Korea and vietnam combined. With a higher Casualty Rate than World W
We were charted in 1923 by congress. And given at that time the mission of establishing monuments throughout the American Battlefields of europe, after the great war to commemorate and honor the service and achievements from American Armed forces in world war i. Our first chairman was general john, who had of course been commander of the Expeditionary Forces of the war. Interestingly, one of his early assistants on the commission was a guy named dwight eisenhower, who did a lot of the who helped to write our guide to American Battlefield and that work prove to be abused him in world war ii. Then of course the next person is george marshall, who has world war i connections. So the commission erupted alternately eat i believe memorials across france. And then in 1933, we also designed the chapel that were established at the permanent american cemeteries in europe. A 1933, president roosevelt chance for those cemeteries to us. So our brand now if you will are our cemeteries. Most people a
Video. Edwin, matt, thank you both so much for joining us for this lunch and learn conversation about world war i memorials and what is happening right now in kansas city and whats happening in washington, d. C. Yeah, great. Thanks, lora. Great to be with you. Good to see you, edwin. Good to see you, matt, as always. Edwin, i mentioned that you are working for the abmc. Can you tell us more about the work of that particular commission . Certainly. And abmc is our mission is almost as old as yours. We were chartered in 1923 by congress and given, at that time, the mission of establishing monuments throughout the American Battlefields of europe, after the great war, to commemorate and honor the service and achievements of American Armed forces in world war i. Our first chairman was general john pershing, commander of the Expeditionary Forces in the war. Interestingly, one of his early assistants on the commission was a fellow named dwight eisenhower, who helped write our guide to America
The museum hosted this discussion and provided the video. Edwin, matt, thanks for joining us for this lunch and learn conversation about world war i memorials and whats happening right now in kansas city and whats happening in washington, d. C. Yeah, great. Thanks, laura. Great to be with you. Good to see you, edwin. Good to see you, matt, as always. Edwin, i mentioned that you are working for the abmc. Could you tell us more about the work of that particular commission . Certainly. And abmc is our mission is almost as old as yours. We were chartered in 1923 by congress and given at that time the mission of establishing monuments throughout the American Battlefields of europe after the great war to commemorate and honor the service and achievements of American Armed forces in world war i. Our first chairman was general John Pershing who had been, of course, commander of the American Expeditionary forces in the war. Interestingly, one of his early assistants on the commission was a fell