the united states world war one centennial commission

January 31, 2017

Wisconsin National Guard commemorates WW1 heroics of "Red Arrow" Division

Captain Brian Faltinson, USA, Wisconsin National Guard

Captain Brian Faltinson of the Wisconsin National Guard is part of an innovative centennial project to commemorate the World War One history of the 'Red Arrow' Division in France. The commemoration effort has drawn together the Wisconsin Guard, the Wisconsin Veterans Museum, the Wisconsin National Guard Museum, and the Wisconsin Historical Society. The team has gathered photos, letters, memoirs, artifacts and stories left behind by the soldiers of the 32nd 'Red Arrow' Division to paint a portrait of the Wisconsin Guard's contribution to the American effort in the Great War. Captain Faltinson shared some insights with us regarding the project, and why it's important.

LoC announces broad range of WW1 programs, publications, activities

To commemorate the 100th anniversary of the U.S. entry into World War One, the Library of Congress is offering an array of exhibitions, lectures, symposia, blogs, publications, digitized collections, Victory Gardens, veterans’ stories, educational tools, film programs and research guides. On Feb. 15, the Library will launch a World War One web portal, providing comprehensive access to the Library’s World War One resources and programming. Read more about the cornucopia of WW1 resources being provided by LoC in 2017

"Stories of Service" preserves memories of family histories and WW1 service

Almost five million American families sent their fathers or mothers or sons or daughters to serve in the Armed Forces during World War One. Countless other families had members who supported the war effort in industry, farming, shipping, and many other fields. All those who served then are gone now, but “Stories of Service” allows anyone who grew up hearing about their grandparent or great-grandparent’s service to preserve this precious record of family history in the permanent record of the World War One Centennial Commission. Click here to find out more about how your can record your family's Story of Service.

The Recipe For Baking Up a 100 Cities / 100 Memorials Project

There are only 135 days left to submit matching grant proposals for the 100 Cities / 100 Memorials program. Get $2,000 for your local WW1 Memorial - even if you are a municipality or city office.

135 days (a little over 4 months) is still plenty of time, but there is no time left to waste to apply for the grants.

The new post on the 100C/100M blog offers a short and easy recipe for cooking up a submission!

WWrite BLOG: Benjamin Bush, a U.S. Marine, Discovers British WWI Cemetery During Iraq War.

Actor, writer, filmmaker, and photographer Benjamin Busch was a Marine who led a Light Armored Reconnaissance unit during the 2003 invasion of Iraq and operated around the city of Kut.

This week the WWrite BLOG features this excerpt from his memoir Dust to Dust, noting the last surviving evidence of WWI in the region, a British war cemetery.

Take advantage of the
Matching Donation by the
Pritzker Military Museum and Library

A Story of Service from the Stories of Service section of ww1cc.org

Paul Emerson Riege

Submitted by: Kenneth Riege, grandson

Paul Emerson Riege served in World War One with the United States Marine Corps. The dates of service are: Known 17 Apr 1917 - 31 Mar 1919.

My grandfather Pvt. Paul Emerson Riege was a very proud Marine. He was one 16 years old when he volunteered for the Marines. He served in the 1st Battalion/5th Marines and fought at the Battle of Belleau Wood, the 2nd Battle of the Marne and was Wounded In Action on 4 Oct 1918 during the Meuse Argonne Offensive.

I have shared his story with many (especially other Marines) and have been told that it was the guys from the 1/5 that gave the Marines their reputation that they have today and this is where they earned the title of "Devil Dogs."

I remember as a teenager asking my grandfather why he volunteered, he didn't have to go he was only 16, and he said his country needed him and that he would do it all over again. He also told me that if I ever serve in the military I will understand what he meant.

Well, I did serve in the military (8 years United States Air Force) and while my grandfather did tease me a bit about joining the "Boy Scouts" he was very proud of me. It was funny I had gone from calling him "grandpa" to calling him "Sir." That would always bring a smile to his face.