Welcome Michigan! The Michigan World War One Centennial website is now live at ww1cc.org/michigan. At the new “Michigan’s World War One Centennial” web site you will find articles, monthly video blogs, and an event calendar. There is also a very detailed map of the state’s ‪World War One monuments, memorials, and historical sites. The MI development team will be joining us on the all new WW1 Centennial News Podcast show on Wednesday, January 18 to tell you more about their state program. We invite you to register for the WW1 Centennial News live show. Michigan joins a growing number of state sites hosted by the U.S. World War One Centennial Commission. To see the other states’ sites, click here.

There will be non-stop swirling activity in the Nation's Capital for the upcoming Presidential Inauguration on 20 January. In the midst of it all will be teams of World War One Doughboy Reenactors & Volunteers with the U.S. World War One Centennial Commission. They will be handing out free poppy seed packets, telling people about the Centennial Commission's education programs, commemorative events, and memorial preservation projects. Read more about how the Commission is making a beachhead on Inauguration Day here.

The 369th Experience section of the the World War One Centennial Commission we site is now live. A key component of the centennial  commemoration is the recreation of the 369th Regimental Band, the famous Harlem Hell Fighters regimental band, whose spirited arrangements of ragtime, jazz and blues first introduced European audiences to the novel sounds of this American music. Funded by a generous grant from The Coca Cola Foundation, the 369th Experience Student Band will be taught the history and repertoire of the original Harlem Hell Fighters Band and will retrace their steps of the, performing the band's repertoire at centennial celebrations in New York City; Brest and Paris, France; and a host of other historical locales. Find out more about the 369th Experience here.

The World War One Centennial Commission is excited to announce the launch of a new blog, WWrite that features military veteran authors and will survey and analyze the influence of WW1 on contemporary writing. Jennifer A. Orth-Veillon, who holds a Ph.D. in Comparative Literature from Emory University, curates the WWrite blog from the perspective of a writer, scholar, teacher, and French-English scholar specializing in the literature of war and the experience of the American veteran. Read more about this unprecedented project here.

The National World War One Memorial at Pershing Park in DC is moving along, progressing through the processes of review, design updates, and fundraising. Some of the noteworthy changes are beautiful new drawings for the design concept, created by the project's sculptor, Sabin Howard. One of the world's leading classicist sculptors, Howard's role in this project may be his most challenging master-work yet. He is developing the design for a 75 foot-long bronze bas-relief wall, which will figuratively depict the emotional story of American people who were affected by the war - soldiers, family members, children. Read more about Howard's innovative approach to the evolving art.

The American Battle Monuments Commission (ABMC) officially assumed ownership and responsibility for the Lafayette Escadrille Memorial Cemetery (LEMC) on January 9, 2017. LEMC commemorates the birthplace of American combat aviation, and serves as a symbol of the Franco-American comradeship during World War One. ABMC Chairman Merrill A. McPeak said “It’s fitting that ABMC, whose mission is to honor the service and sacrifice of U.S. armed forces, assume responsibility for preserving this historic site honoring America’s pioneering combat airmen.” Find out more about this new ABMC facility here.

Face it - the WW1 commemoration is NOT A SECRET SOCIETY... So put your connection to the WW1 Centennial right on you lapel with this satin nickel lapel pin. It is a simple, yet meaningful, way to display your pride and connection to the centennial. You have no idea of the thrill you'll get when some stranger wearing the same pin approaches you at some unexpected moment. Just order a few of these today. What are you waiting for? 2019?

Oh... and if lapels are not part of your couture - you may be interested in the more "charming" version... order this commemorative Charm Pendant: $9.95

Both are available in the official merchandise shop. Part of all proceeds go to build the memorial. Order up!