From November 8-12, the "First Look Pavilion" provides an all day immersive multimedia presentation of the coming National World War I Memorial, at the location of its future home in Washington, DC. The Pavilion will feature large graphics, video, and physical display to provide you with  "A First Look" at what the memorial will be, offer you some insight into how it has come about, and show the Memorial's current status. You'll also learn how you can participate in its ultimate creation, including video taping your reaction and thoughts after your "First Look." With your visit to the First Look Pavilion, we want to leave you with a clear concept and vision of this wonderful tribute to the men and women who, 100 years ago, helped shape the world we live in today. Click here to learn more about the First Look Pavilion, including hours of operation, and how you can support the Memorial.

When the United States entered World War I, segregation was entrenched in military culture as well as civilian society. It put barriers up to prevent African Americans from enlisting. Despite this, about 380,000 African Americans served in the U.S. military during the war. Colonel Charles Young, of Wilberforce, Ohio, was the highest-ranking African American Army officer when American joined World War I in 1917. As such, Young was a remarkable success story. But despite an impressive leadership record, the Army refused Young’s request to command troops in Europe. Military leaders told him he was not healthy enough to serve. To prove his fitness, Young made an incredible horseback journey that is still being honored 100 years later. Click here to find out more about Colonel Young's  ride.

The century-old wrong done to a Marine private fatally wounded on the last day of battle in World War I will finally be made right this coming Veterans Day at Arlington National Cemetery, thanks to another Marine who worked to correct the record on his behalf. Arlington officials have approved a small ceremony on Nov. 11 at the grave of Marine Pvt. Joseph Otto Turley in Section 18, site 1345, to mark the installation of a new headstone with his correct date of death: Nov. 12, 1918. For Garrett Anderson, Turley's great-nephew and a Marine veteran of Fallujah, it's the culmination of an undertaking that required him to delve into U.S. and family history to unearth the true story of his uncle's service. Click here to read the entire story of how a modern day Marine kept faith with a fellow Marine from World War I.

Flanders Field American Cemetery in Belgium hosted a ceremony on October 27, 2018 to mark the 100th anniversary of American operations in Belgium during World War I. Featured speaker was the Vice Chair of the U.S. World War I Centennial Commission Edwin Fountain (left). In his remarks, he talked about the partnership between our two countries, and also told the story of two Americans who served in WWI: one an American literary legend after the war, and his younger brother, who remained in Belgium forever. Click here to read about the memorial services, and the remarkable story of two brothers who served.

You can now purchase the limited edition US Mint World War I Commemorative Coin, in combination with our specially-designed display stand, personalized with information about your WWI ancestor. This will make a great collectible gift for family members and descendants of those who served in World War I. Personalization can include: rank, full name, enlisted date, deceased date, unit/decorations, battles, cemetery, etc. If you have already purchased the Commemorative Coin from the US Mint, you can also order just the personalized display. Both the combo set and display alone are available at https://shop.worldwar1centennial.org (click on US Mint Commemorative Coin at the top navigation bar). Supplies are limited. Proceeds from the sale of this item go towards funding the building of the National World War One Memorial in Washington DC.

One fateful October day a century ago during World War I, Private First Class Michael J. Perkins crawled up to a nest of enemy machine gunners that were throwing grenades at his platoon and waited for just the right moment. When the Germans opened the door, he tossed a bomb inside. Then forced his way in and attacked the machine gun crews, and single-handedly forced them to surrender. The courage that the South Boston war hero displayed on the battlefield was recalled last week when the Massachusetts National Guard dedicated an armory in his honor. Click here to read more about Michael Perkins, and the WWI heroism that led to the naming of the armory in his honor.

In October 26th's WW1 Centennial News Podcast, Episode 95, host Theo Mayer spoke with Carolyn Timbie, granddaughter of prominent Hello Girl Grace Banker. In the interview, Ms. Timbie answers questions about her grandmother's remarkable story, and about her own personal  journey through France following her grandmother's footsteps. Click here to read a transcript of the inspiring interview.

The WW1 Centennial News Podcast is about WW1 THEN: 100 years ago this week, and it's about WW1 NOW: News and updates about the centennial and the commemoration.  

Available on our web site, iTunes, Google Play, Podbean, TuneIn, Stitcher Radio on Demand.  Spotify  listen on Youtube. New - Comment and ask questions via twitter @TheWW1podcast

Episode #96
Highlights: November 1918 Overview

Host: Theo Mayer

Preview of podcast over the coming weeks | @00:20
November 1918 Overview - Dr. Edward Lengel, Katherine Akey, Theo Mayer | @02:40
Maneuvering both military and diplomatic - Mike Shuster | @18:15
WWI WarTech: The Wristwatch - Host | @21:55
Commission News: The coming week of commemoration - Host | @24:30
Arlington County WWI Commemoration Task Force - Dr. Allison Finkelstein | @26:00
No Armistice from the flu - David Pietrusza | @34:45
100 Cities / 100 Memorials’ effect on Arizona - Neil Urban | @42:30
Speaking WWI: Foxhole - Host | @49:05
The Buzz: Social Media selections - Katherine Akey | @50:35

A Distant Field: America's Great War Highlanders

The literary centennial week kicks off with bagpipes and kilts.

WWrite takes a look at RJ MacDonald’s WWI historical novel, A Distant Field, which will be released on November 11, 2018. A former US Marine and Royal Air Force Reservist and veteran of Libya and Iraq, MacDonald has written the first in a series that follows the characters, Stuart and Ross McReynolds, Scots-Americans who survive the sinking of the Lusitania.

Together with four Irishmen, a Canadian, and a young English officer, they join Scotland’s Seaforth Highlanders and head towards the bloody battlefields of WWI. Read the preview and behind-the-scenes look at this unprecedented literary perspective of the Great War on WWrite this week!

Following the Scottish theme, the "Behind Their Lines" Blog this weeks looks at Ballad of Remembrance. Marion Angus's poem "Remembrance Day" tells of the heart-ache that traditional ballads evoked after the Great War.  This forgotten Scottish poet had a “genius for telling a story in a few verses, of almost unbearable poignancy.”

Armistice 1918 WWI Commemorative Watch

This 1918 limited edition of numbered watches by Col&MacArthur (Belgium) honor those American sol­diers who valiantly fought for our freedom. Behind its sleek design and unalterable symbols, the Armistice 1918 watch commemorates the date of November 11, 1918 - the end of The Great War.

• Two (2) Year Manufacturer's Guarantee
• Includes deluxe packaging with a leaflet telling the story
• Only 1918 watches made. Limited Edition with Serial Number
• American buyers: This timepiece is Swiss made in batches and will begin shipping to US around Dec. 1, 2018, just in time for Christmas giving.

This and many other items are available as Official Merchandise of the United States World War One Centennial.

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