Media Resources
Memorial Announcement Press Conference
Unveiling the selected design team and concept - Washington DC - 1/26/2016
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Commissioner Edwin Fountain, Vice Chair of the US World War One Centennial Commission announced the selected design team and concept for the National World War I Memorial at Pershing Park.
Selected Design "The Weight of Sacrifice" downloadable resources
Stills shots from Jury Selection Presentations
Stills shots from the press conference
Memorial Announcement Press Conference
Full Length Press Conference Video - 00:50:46
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Washington DC - January 26, 2016
The U.S. World War I Centennial Commission has picked 'THE WEIGHT OF SACRIFICE" for the new national World War I Memorial project.
"THE WEIGHT OF SACRIFICE" was selected from a group of five Finalists, and culminates an open, international design competition that has run since May, 2015. The Commission's decision endorses the recommendation of the design competition's independent jury.
Quotes
Edwin Fountain, Vice Chair, U.S. World War I Centennial Commission & lead on the World War I Memorial project
“We were thrilled by the work quality and creativity from all the participants in this competition. This selected design concept reflects a high level of professional achievement”.
Robert Dalessandro, Chair, U.S. World War I Centennial Commission
“Those five million Americans who served in uniform during World War I literally changed the world. This new landmark in our nation's capital will be a worthy expression of their great legacy”.
Sandra Pershing, grand-daughter-in-law of General John Pershing
"Today is an important day for me and my family, and it is an important day for our country as we work together to honor the almost five million Americans who served during the Great War."
Memorial Announcement Press Conference - Misc B-roll
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Washington DC - 1/26/16
Various background and location footage of the press conference announcing the selection of the design team and concept for the National WWI Memorial at Pershing Park.
Interviews
Interview Roger K. Lewis FAIA - Competition Manager
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Interviewee Information: Roger K. Lewis FAIA - Competition Manager
Roger K. Lewis, a fellow of the American Institute of Architects, is a practicing architect and urban planner; a professor emeritus of architecture at the University of Maryland College Park; and an author and journalist. Prof. Lewis has served as Professional Advisor organizing and guiding a number of significant and successful national and international design competitions that culminated in built projects. These include: the University of Maryland College Park performing arts center; the Catholic University of America law school; the Silver Spring, Maryland, civic building and plaza; the State of Maryland World War II Memorial; the University of Baltimore law school; and the DC Architecture Center. Currently president and chair of the Peace Corps Commemorative Foundation, he is leading the effort to create a modestly scaled commemorative work in the nation's capital honoring the historically significant, 1961 founding of the Peace Corps. In November 2013, the Washington Architectural Foundation presented Prof. Lewis its eighth annual John "Wieb" Wiebenson Award for Architecture in the Public Interest, recognizing Prof. Lewis as "A Champion of Design for the Greater Good."
Interview Emanuel Cleaver, Congressman, 5th District of Missouri
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Interviewee Information: Congressman Emanuel Cleaver II
Congressman Cleaver is a United Methodist pastor, and a member of the United States House of Representatives, representing Missouri's 5th congressional district. He is a member of the Democratic Party, and in January 2010, Cleaver became chair of the Congressional Black Caucus. Cleaver previously served on the Kansas City Council from 1979 to 1991, until he was elected Mayor of Kansas City, serving from 1991 to 1999. In 2004, Cleaver was elected to represent Missouri's 5th congressional district. He was a sponsor of the legislation establishing the World War I Centennial Commission in 2013.
Interview Commissioner James Whitfield, US World War One Centennial Commission
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James (Jim) S. Whitfield of Independence, Missouri, is a Life Member of The American Legion, Veterans of Foreign Wars in the United States, and BPO Elks, all of Warrensburg, Missouri. He is an Honorably Discharged U.S. Navy veteran of World War II having served in the Far Pacific, North Atlantic, and Indian oceans, and the Mediterranean Sea, aboard the same ship for 33 months. He has been an active member of The American Legion since 1946, having served in many capacities including Executive Director, American Legion National Headquarters in Indianapolis, IN.
Whitfield holds a B.S. Degree in Business Administration from the University of Central Missouri with Post Graduate studies in Public Administration at the University of Colorado and in Finance from Iowa University. He received the George Charno Student Citizenship/Leadership Award his senior year at UCM where he also served as Veterans Affairs Coordinator for the University with the VA, as well as President of the Student Body.
Whitfield served as the first chairman for a period of 4 years of the Missouri Veterans Commission and served a total of 10 years on the Commission. During his tenure as Chairman the Missouri State Veterans Home system of seven homes and the State Veterans Cemetery system were established. Following his employment at The American Legion National Headquarters he was Administrative Manager and Convention Director for the North American Equipment Dealers Association with offices in St. Louis County, Missouri.
He was appointed to the Commission by the American Legion.
Interview Commissioner Monique Brouillet Seefried, Ph.D., US World War One Centennial Commission
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Interviewee Information: Commissioner Monique Brouillet Seefried, Ph.D.
Monique Seefried, during the past decade as president of the Croix Rouge Farm Memorial Foundation, purchased the historic land, commissioned one of the best sculptors in England and totally funded with private money a memorial statue to the US 42nd (Rainbow Division) on a WWI battlefield in France where the division fought with distinction. She also served from May 2003 until April 2009 as chairman of the International Baccalaureate (IB) Board of Governors. Prior to that, she founded and served as Executive Director of the Center for the Advancement and Study of International Education (CASIE) in Atlanta, whose board she now chairs. She also serves on the board of the United World College in New Mexico.
Between 1982 and 2002, she was Curator of Near Eastern Art at the Carlos Museum of Emory University and taught courses on Ancient Archaeology and Islamic Art in the University's Art History Department. Seefried has been a regular pro-bono lecturer on art and archaeology topics as well as on international education and more recently on World War I, its causes and its consequences.
Born a French citizen in Tunisia, Seefried became a US citizen in 1985. After a classical (Latin/Greek) secondary education, she did her undergraduate and graduate studies in History at the Sorbonne University in Paris from where she also holds her Ph.D. She is fluent in English, French, German and Italian. In 2005, the French Government made her a "chevalier" in the Order of the Academic Palms, and in 2009 in the Order of Merit.
She was appointed to the Commission by the Speaker of the House, Congressman John A. Boehner of Ohio
IN FRENCH
Interview Commissioner Monique Brouillet Seefried, Ph.D., US World War One Centennial Commission
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Interviewee Information: Commissioner Monique Brouillet Seefried, Ph.D.
Monique Seefried, during the past decade as president of the Croix Rouge Farm Memorial Foundation, purchased the historic land, commissioned one of the best sculptors in England and totally funded with private money a memorial statue to the US 42nd (Rainbow Division) on a WWI battlefield in France where the division fought with distinction. She also served from May 2003 until April 2009 as chairman of the International Baccalaureate (IB) Board of Governors. Prior to that, she founded and served as Executive Director of the Center for the Advancement and Study of International Education (CASIE) in Atlanta, whose board she now chairs. She also serves on the board of the United World College in New Mexico.
Between 1982 and 2002, she was Curator of Near Eastern Art at the Carlos Museum of Emory University and taught courses on Ancient Archaeology and Islamic Art in the University's Art History Department. Seefried has been a regular pro-bono lecturer on art and archaeology topics as well as on international education and more recently on World War I, its causes and its consequences.
Born a French citizen in Tunisia, Seefried became a US citizen in 1985. After a classical (Latin/Greek) secondary education, she did her undergraduate and graduate studies in History at the Sorbonne University in Paris from where she also holds her Ph.D. She is fluent in English, French, German and Italian. In 2005, the French Government made her a "chevalier" in the Order of the Academic Palms, and in 2009 in the Order of Merit.
She was appointed to the Commission by the Speaker of the House, Congressman John A. Boehner of Ohio
Interview Commissioner Dr. Matthew Naylor, US World War One Centennial Commission
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Interviewee Information: Commissioner Dr. Matthew Naylor
Matthew Naylor is the President and CEO of the National World War I Museum and Memorial. A native of Australia, he began his tenure at the Museum in June 2013 and possesses more than 20 years of leadership in the non-profit arena. Previously, he served as the Director of Advancement at the Nelson-Atkins Museum in Kansas City, Mo. Dr. Naylor was a member of the institution’s executive leadership team and was responsible for development, marketing and donor services, among other duties. Prior to his tenure at the Nelson-Atkins Museum, he spent more than nine years as president of Outreach International, an international humanitarian organization that specializes in sustainable and participatory community development with a presence in 15 developing nations across the world. He earned his Ph.D. from Curtin University in Perth, Australia.
Dr. Naylor has a close connection to World War I, as his grandfather served in the Great War. One of his most prized objects is a letter from his grandfather to his family from France in 1917. Additionally, Dr. Naylor’s father was in the British Royal Tank Division for four years in World War II, and along with the letter from his grandfather, he keeps a photo in his office of his father in a tank from the battle fields of Europe.
He was appointed to the Commission by the National World War I Museum and Memorial.
Interview Commissioner Major General Alfred A. Valenzuela, USA (Ret.), US World War One Centennial Commission
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Interviewee Information: Major General Freddie Valenzuela served thirty-three years in the US Army and was highly decorated for heroism and valor. He served in three Combat Corps and six Infantry Divisions all over the world including Peru, Korea, Colombia, Turkey, Haiti, Kuwait, Grenada, Panama, Germany, El Salvador and Somalia, not to mention numerous years in interagency assignments. He commanded in the Cold War and Gulf War eras, and was awarded the two highest peace time awards upon retirement, the Defense & Army Distinguished Service Medals. He was commissioned from St. Mary’s University as a Distinguished Military Graduate and awarded a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Government. He holds a Master of Arts in Political Science, with emphasis on Latin American Studies and National Security Affairs. Additionally, he is a graduate of the Inter-American Defense College, Command and General Staff College, Armed Forces Staff College, and the Air War College. His last Assignment was as Commander, United States Army South from July 2000 until October 2003. He retired from active duty on 1 May, 2004.
MG Valenzuela is an Eagle Scout himself and was inducted into the Boys and Girls Hall Fame. He sits on the National Board of Directors for St. Mary's University, Armor Designs Inc., G.E. Philips, Tomas Rivera Policy Institute, National Recreation Board of America and USAA Federal Savings Bank. He was named one of the “100 Most Influential Hispanics” by Hispanic Business magazine and selected to the Board of Directors for the Cuban American Council for Education. He is President/ CEO of M.C. Valens; a service disabled veteran owned business.
He was appointed to the Commission by President Barack Obama.
IN SPANISH
Interview Commissioner Major General Alfred A. Valenzuela, USA (Ret.), US World War One Centennial Commission
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Interviewee Information: Major General Freddie Valenzuela served thirty-three years in the US Army and was highly decorated for heroism and valor. He served in three Combat Corps and six Infantry Divisions all over the world including Peru, Korea, Colombia, Turkey, Haiti, Kuwait, Grenada, Panama, Germany, El Salvador and Somalia, not to mention numerous years in interagency assignments. He commanded in the Cold War and Gulf War eras, and was awarded the two highest peace time awards upon retirement, the Defense & Army Distinguished Service Medals. He was commissioned from St. Mary’s University as a Distinguished Military Graduate and awarded a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Government. He holds a Master of Arts in Political Science, with emphasis on Latin American Studies and National Security Affairs. Additionally, he is a graduate of the Inter-American Defense College, Command and General Staff College, Armed Forces Staff College, and the Air War College. His last Assignment was as Commander, United States Army South from July 2000 until October 2003. He retired from active duty on 1 May, 2004.
MG Valenzuela is an Eagle Scout himself and was inducted into the Boys and Girls Hall Fame. He sits on the National Board of Directors for St. Mary's University, Armor Designs Inc., G.E. Philips, Tomas Rivera Policy Institute, National Recreation Board of America and USAA Federal Savings Bank. He was named one of the “100 Most Influential Hispanics” by Hispanic Business magazine and selected to the Board of Directors for the Cuban American Council for Education. He is President/ CEO of M.C. Valens; a service disabled veteran owned business.
He was appointed to the Commission by President Barack Obama.
Interview Commissioner Dr. Libby O'Connell Ph.D., US World War One Centennial Commission
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Interviewee Information: Commissioner Dr. Libby O'Connell Ph.D.
Libby O'Connell was appointed Chief Historian, Senior Vice President, Corporate Outreach, AETN, in March 2005. Dr. O'Connell serves as historical adviser for HISTORY's programming department. In addition, she spearheads all educational and community-based initiatives for AETN, including History's Take A Veteran To School Day and the award-winning Save Our History, and A&E's Intervention Town Hall Meetings, part of The Recovery Project.
Dr. O'Connell received her M.A. and Ph.D. in American history from the University of Virginia. She has taught history at Long Island University and has served as president of Raynham Hall Museum on Long Island. Dr. O'Connell serves on the boards of several organizations, including the Center for Folklife and Cultural Heritage; the Civil War Preservation Trust; and National History Day. She is also on the Council of Scholar Advisors for George Washington's home, Mount Vernon.
She was appointed to the Commission by President Barack Obama.
Interview Commissioner Edwin L. Fountain, Vice Chair, US World War One Centennial Commission
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Interviewee Information: Edwin L. Fountain
Edwin Fountain of Arlington, Virginia is a partner in the Washington, D.C. office of the international law firm Jones Day. He is the grandson of two World War I veterans. In 2008 he co-founded the World War I Memorial Foundation, which successfully advocated for funding to restore the District of Columbia's World War I memorial on the National Mall, and which has advocated for establishment of a national World War I memorial in the nation's capital. Edwin is a member of Leadership Arlington and sits on the Arlington Commission for the Arts. He serves on the boards of Bowen McCauley Dance Company and Longacre Lea Theatre Company. He is past president of the DC Preservation League, the leading historic preservation nonprofit in the nation's capital.
He was appointed to the commission by the Majority Leader of the United States Senate, Senator Harry Reid of Nevada.
Background Video on the design competition from May 2015
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May 2015 - Washington DC
Edwin Fountain - Vice Chair of the US World War One Centennial Commission introduced the US National Memorial at Pershing Park Design Competition. The competition had over 350 entries from around the world. 5 Finalists were announced in early September and the final design team and concept are about to be unveiled at a press conference scheduled for 2pm Tuesday January 26, 2015 at the National Press Club in Washington DC