A First Colors ceremony on April 16 will mark the opening of the National World War I Memorial in Washington, D.C.
The World War I Centennial Commission will host the free 90-minute virtual broadcast beginning at 10 a.m. EST.
“As our nation’s flag is raised for the first time over this hallowed ground that honors those who served in the Great War, we can take pride in the legacy of service and sacrifice by those who wear the uniform of our great country,” said Terry Hamby, chairman of the World War I Centennial Commission.
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Gary Sinise will host the inaugural flag raising, which will commemorate those who served in the trenches and on the home front during “The War to End All Wars."
The ceremony will feature remarks from present and past military officials and government leaders, including Secretary of the Interior Deb Haaland, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Mark Milley, Sen. Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., and Rep. Emanuel Cleaver, D-Mo.
Singer Lee Greenwood is expected to perform “God Bless the USA,” featuring acapella group Home Free and members of the United States Air Force Band.
Highlights from the film “A Soldier’s Journey” which tells the story of the design and importance of the World War I Memorial, featuring memorial lead designer Joe Weishaar and sculptor Sabin Howard.
Also scheduled to perform are the United States Army Band “Pershing’s Own,’ and the 396th Regiment “Hellfighters Band.” A song from the “Hello Girls, The Musical” will also be performed.
After the inaugural flag to be raised at the memorial flew over the U.S. Capitol, the American Battle Monuments Commission then flew it at nine final resting places, World War I cemeteries in France, Belgium and the United Kingdom. The flag then returned to the United States to fly at the World War I Museum and Memorial in Kansas City, Mo.
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The live flag-raising ceremony will also include a flyover by the 94th Fighter Squadron, formerly the 94th Aero Squadron, the most victorious air warfare unit of World War I.
First Colors is not an in-person event. The memorial opens to the public on April 17.
Reach Julia LeDoux at Julia@connectingvets.com.
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