100th Anniversary of the End of World War I

At the 11^th hour of the 11^th day of the 11^th month, 1918, the guns of WWI became silent. In our Nation’s capital, the WWI Centennial Commission held a weeklong commemoration of the end of the War to End All Wars, with individual programs at Pershing Park paying tribute to the home front; and to the women, Native Americans, African Americans, and Latinos who contributed to our winning the war and for whom barriers were broken in the process. Our military was honored with wreaths from all U.S. states and territories.

As we learned during the week, this was a war that touched and involved every American, young and old, in an incredible mobilization of people. Boy Scouts collected all of the black walnut wood used in rifles and made up 25% of the Washington, DC firemen. Girl Scouts helped the Red Cross nurses, rolled bandages, knitted gloves and sweaters, and offered comfort to injured and dying soldiers. Housewives learned how to grow and can food. Twelve thousand Native Americans, not yet American citizens, enlisted because they could not be drafted. For the first time, women served in the military as something other than nurses – they also worked in offices and served on the battle front as Hello Girls ensuring that critical communications went through. As one speaker reminded us, “we stand on their shoulders.” It also ushered in the American Century.

Daughters, thank you for all that you did in commemorating WWI. Your presence at events world-wide honored our veterans.  You have participated and hosted events, repaired memorials, crafted history minutes, honored military and civilians with wreaths and shared stories and photos.  You have touched citizens in every city and state, as well as countries overseas.  Thank you for honoring our heroes of WWI.

Photos and selected poems will be posted in the DAR WWI Facebook page. Special thanks to the DAR WWI Commemorative Events 100^th Anniversary of World War I/Treaty of Versailles team Dr. Sharla Rausch for representing DAR at World War I Centennial Commission meetings, giving presentations, developing a toolkit, and posting information on the Facebook page; Holly Lynne M. Schmidt for shaping our participation in 100 cities and 100 memorials; Debora Long for establishing and managing an incredible Facebook page supporting 847 Daughters; and Mary Levine for assisting with the Facebook page. In addition, a special thanks to the DAR Archives and Public Relations Staff.  Their research, advice and support helped each state hit the mark and exceed all expectations.  

The DAR WWI Facebook page will be open until June to ensure coverage of the 100^th Anniversary of the Treaty of Versailles and share pictures from the DAR Commemorative Events WWI award winners.