The nation’s colors are flying for the first time Friday over the National World War I Memorial in Washington, D.C.
“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 Commission which hosted the virtual event,
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,”
“Let’s remember all the sacrifices of the brave Americans who fought in the First World War,” said President Joseph R. Biden in a video clip.
The inaugural flag 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.
‘I’m so excited that we’re going to get this built to honor those who have been forgotten,” said Sandra Pershing, granddaughter-in-law of Gen. John J. Pershing, who led American forces during the war. “I think the general would be proud.”
The flag then returned to the United States to fly at the World War I Museum and Memorial in Kansas City, Mo.
“History teaches us we protect our history when we preserve our past,” said Dan Dayton, executive director of the World War I Commission.
The ceremony also featured 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.
Former Sen. Carol Moseley Braun spoke of the discrimination her grandfather and his fellow Black soldiers faced at home and the paradox that they fought to defend freedoms they did not have access to in the United States.
Singer Lee Greenwood performed “God Bless the USA,” featuring acapella group Home Free and members of the United States Air Force Band.
Clips 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 were shown during the event.
The United States Army Band “Pershing’s Own,’ and the 396th Regiment “Hellfighters Band” also performed, and the song from “Hello Girls, The Musical” was performed.
The ceremony also included a flyover by the 94th Fighter Squadron, formerly the 94th Aero Squadron, the most victorious air warfare unit of World War I.
Reach Julia LeDoux at Julia@connectingvets.com.
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