World War I / AEF Commemoration events around the world

By Chris Isleib
Director of Public Affairs, United States World War One Centennial Commission

belleaumemorial1200 Americans and French commemorated Memorial Day, and the centennial of the World War I Battle of Belleau Wood, at a ceremony at Aisne-Marne American Cemetery in Belleau, France. An overflow crowd watched the ceremony on an oversized screen at the front of the cemetery. (Stars and Stripes photo/Michael Abrams)2018 is a big year for World War I commemoration, as it is the chronological centennial year for many of the turning-point battles & key events that happened later in the war.

The U.S. World War I Centennial Commission has been active in helping to produce and to promote various events, to mark America's involvement in these battles, and in the war, in general. This Memorial Day weekend serves as the backdrop for a number of these commemoration activities.

Here are links to some of the coverage of the World War I / American Expeditionary Force (AEF) Commemoration Activities around the world this week.

Europe

The American Battle Monuments Commission worked with the U.S. European Command, the U.S. Defense Department, and various host nations to produce a ceremony to mark centennial the battles of Cantigny, Belleau Wood, and the Somme.

The visitors center at the American Monument at Chateau-Thierry was dedicated in a special ceremony, as well.

United States

New York City - Flanders Field

Every year, the Government of Flanders hosts an annual wreath-laying ceremony at the Clinton War Memorial at Dewitt Clinton Park.

https://www.worldwar1centennial.org/index.php/communicate/press-media/wwi-centennial-news/4445-annual-in-flanders-fields-memorial-commemorative-event-in-nyc.html

New York City - 369th Experience Concerts

The 369th Experience student band playing aboard the USS Intrepid Museum in New York City.The WW1CC sponsored a special trip and series of concerts by The 369th Experience, jazz ensemble made up of music students from Historically Black Colleges and Universities, who play a tribute repertoire of music that was originally created by the members of the legendary 369th Infantry Regimental Band from World War I. To help tell their story, the WW1CC created a gallery for imagery and video from the 369th Experience concerts and their visit to NYC.
https://www.worldwar1centennial.org/index.php/369th-experience-gallery.html

Washington, DC

The WW1CC has a special presence in this year's National Memorial Day Parade in Washington DC, to include a float, living-history reenactors, and WWI-era vehicles
http://www.americanveteranscenter.org/2017/02/2017-national-memorial-day-parade/

Chicago

The Pritzker Military Museum and Library, Founding Sponsor of the US World War One Centennial Commission, will have a special presence in the City of Chicago's Memorial Day Parade, to include a float and volunteers
https://www.cityofchicago.org/city/en/depts/dca/supp_info/memorial_day_parade.html
http://abc7chicago.com/society/memorial-day-parade-held-in-chicago/3525649/

Cantigny Battle Centennial at the First Infantry Museum in Wheaton, IL
http://www.dailyherald.com/news/20180528/100-years-ago-today-cantigny-parks-namesake-battle-brings-america-seriously-into-world-war-i

Los Angeles

The California World War I Centennial Committee has partnered with the Los Angeles Coliseum to produce an annual wreath-laying ceremony. The Los Angeles Coliseum is a World War I memorial, created in 1932 to honor the city's residents who served.
http://www.lacoliseum.com/index.php/memorial-day-event-free-to-the-public-at-the-coliseum/

Events in your local area?

Was there an WWI / AEF commemorative event in your local area this Memorial Day weekend? We invite you to submit your event to the U.S. National WW1 Centennial Events Register, where it will become part of the permanent national archive of WW1 Centennial activities. Click here to add your local event to the national register.