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Until now, our nation’s capital has never had an official tribute to the 4.7 million Americans who served in World War I. After winning a design competition held by the World War I Centennial Commission, Atlanta architect Joe Weishaar lead the creation of the new memorial which opened in Washington, D.C. earlier this month. He joined “City Lights” host Lois Reitzes via Zoom to talk about the process of designing this tribute to America’s soldiers.
“It wasn’t until the Vietnam Memorial in 1982 that we really started building national memorials, and once that process started, it really went in reverse chronological order,” said Weishaar. “It wasn’t until we had no living veterans that we got around to building the World War I Memorial.”
WWI Memorial opening ceremony features song developed in Southern Tier Provided by Prospect Theater Company “The Hello Girls,” a musical about America’s first female soldiers in World War I, was developed in Johnson City and performed at the opening of a World War I memorial in Washington, D.C.
Song inspired by the “Hello Girls” developed in Johnson City was performed at the ceremony
April 22, 2021
On April 16, the World War I Memorial site in Pershing Park, Washington, D.C., was unveiled in a livestreamed ceremony of the Inaugural Raising of the Flag. The event covered the history of World War I and included numerous speakers whose family members served in the war. Viewers learned about the “Doughboys,” the “Hello Girls” and other veterans who gave their service to the country. The Binghamton community played a role in this, as a song about the “Hello Girls,” which was written in Johnson City, was performed at the ceremony.
Take up our quarrel with the foe:
To you from failing hands we throw
The torch; be yours to hold it high.
If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
In Flanders fields.
John McCrae’s immortal words of remembrance of all who fell in the Great War carried through a beautiful ceremony honoring the oft-forgotten war and America’s pivotal role. On Friday morning, politicians, historians, activists, military leaders, artists, and descendants virtually gathered to raise the American flag over the newly-erected World War I memorial in Washington DC.
As the last of the major 20th century US war veterans to receive a national memorial, those who served in WWI now have a powerful tribute to their sacrifice, bravery, and heroism. Hopefully, the monument will help return the Great War to public consciousness.
Since 1981, the one-and-three-quarter-acre space of Pershing Park has been home to the statue of Gen. John J Pershing. Lead designer Joe Weishaar was tasked with creating some context with the new additions. This includes a new layout for the plaza, reflecting pool and sculpture. But Weishaar said it hasn’t been easy. So many challenges, both because we re combatting the historic preservation elements, but also, how do you take what’s here and work with it, Weishaar said.
“In here we have interpretive educational content that describes both the conflict, the people who were in it, the ways that it impacted and changed the world, and then the sculpture, which won’t be installed until 2024, is really the story of American involvement in the war,” Weishaar said.