The Smithsonian Museums in Washington DC have been very busy telling the story of World War I. They have created no fewer than five new exhibitions that opened this month. The new "Artist Soldiers" exhibit at the National Air & Space Museum shows artwork from the "Great Eight" combat artists who served with the American Expeditionary Force. It also showcases photos of remarkable underground artwork & carved graffiti that common soldiers from World War I left behind, while waiting out bombardments in caves and mines. The Smithsonian Air & Space curatorial team have just recently finished the new on-line version of the exhibition. Dr. Peter Jakab, Ph.D. the Chief Curator of the National Air and Space Museum, took particular interest in creating this exhibition, and took some time to tell us about it.

“We are ready now, sir” was the response to a question from the local British commander asking when newly-arrived U.S. Navy destroyers could commence operations against German U-boats. It became the most famous U.S. Navy rallying cry of the war. Navy action against the U-Boat menace spurred radical innovations in technology and tactics that would profoundly change the U.S. Navy, and naval warfare, ever after, according to RADM Sam Cox, USN (Ret.), Director, Naval History and Heritage Command,writing in a guest editorial published in Military Times.

At least 200 people from the small city of Lawrence, MA died in World War I – the exact number is not known – and 352 died in World War II. As many as 19,000 men and women from the city may have fought in the two wars. In May, City Councilor Marc Laplante from Lawrence will fly to France for an eight-day trip through five ABMC cemeteries in France and Luxembourg where 45 of the Lawrencians killed in the two wars are buried. At each of the graves and memorials, Laplante will plant the city of Lawrence's blue and white flag. He is also bringing along state and local  resolutions commemorating the service members, and copies of newspaper obituaries and other records about 51 of the fallen.We talked with Council Member LaPlante about this important effort to honor those veterans.

The Flanders House in NYC will host their Annual "In Flanders Fields" Memorial on Friday, May 19th at 11:45 AM at De Witt Clinton Park. In attendance from the government of Flanders will be Hon. Jan Peumans, President of the Flemish Parliament, and Hon. Rik Daems, Chair of the Foreign Relations Committee. The Flanders government is proud of their history and of their longstanding partnership with the American people. They have a number of activities underway for this centennial period to tell that story, to include support for historical exhibits, cultural events, both across the United States and in Europe. Details for the May 19th event, and for other programs can be found here: http://www.flandershouse.org/in-flanders-fields

Illinois

Underwriters Laboratories in the First World War

On April 5, 1918, UL’s founder William Henry Merrill, Jr. was named Chairman of the Fire Prevention Section of the War Industries Board at a salary of $1 per year. An experienced group of fire experts and insurance underwriters was quickly assembled under Mr. Merrill’s capable leadership to collect data related to existing fire hazards in U.S. munitions plants, conduct inspections and enforce adequate fire protections at each plant. Read how well they did on the Illinois site.

Maine

Mainers marched to make world safe for democracy

 With the same patriotic fervor that Maine had responded to a call for troops in the Civil War, more than 35,000 men and women across the state joined the military in 1917 and 1918 to fight the “war to end all wars” to “make the world safe for democracy.” The entire University of Maine Band joined the 103rd Infantry Regiment, as did a squad of warriors from the Passamaquoddy Nation, including the chief’s own son, who was killed in action on Nov. 10, 1918. Read more about how Maine went to war here.

Wisconsin

The Automobile in WWI

John Pavlik is a West Allis, Wisconsin native, who served as an ambulance driver with the 32nd Division in France and Germany during World War I. Pavlik enlisted at the age of 16 because he did not want to wait two more years to be drafted and wanted to server his country, specifically as an ambulance driver. The war gave Pavlik the chance a chance to drive a motorized ambulance, instead of using mules and wagon ambulances. Read how he liked his new wheels here.

Have you ever checkout the WWrite Weekend Update?  It highlights and features all sorts of  "writerly news and events".

It is a wonderful link list for anyone interested in the literature, scholarly writings and events surrounding the WW1 Centennial.

If your interests run in these directions, you will really like the Weekend Updates.

AND If YOU have a news item regarding WWI and writing, please contact the blog's currator: jennifer.orth-veillon@worldwar1centennial.org.

U.S. Army “Doughboy” Window Decal $3.95

We have entered the actual WW1 centennial period - 1917-1918.

You can support the commemoration by talking to others about WW1 and its significance to our country, life and culture.

You know about it. They don't.

So start the conversation with things like the US Army Doughboy Window Decal. Get 1/2 dozen and spread them around - it'll help spread the conversation.

This and many other official commemorative products are available at the official merchandise shop.