National World War I Memorial Opens with First Colors Ceremony on April 16 Memorial Opens to Public on Saturday, April 17
World War I Centennial Commission

Our National Society was honored to provide a $100,000 sponsorship toward the construction of the new National World War I Memorial being unveiled this week in our nation's capital. I was privileged to be asked to represent the DAR in the First Colors Ceremony, which will be hosted by Actor Gary Sinese. I hope that you will join us for the live simulcast (or watch the later replay) in order to remember and honor the sacrifice of the brave Americans who were engaged in this epic global conflict. Read more about the monument and ceremony in this blog provided by the World War I Centennial Commission. 

Denise Doring VanBuren, President General

It has been more than a century since the end of World War I but our country must never forget. On Saturday, April 17, 2021, the new National World War I Memorial in Washington, D.C. will formally open to the public to remind Americans for the next century about one of our country’s greatest triumphs.

The World War I Centennial Commission will raise its inaugural American flag on Friday, April 16, at 10 a.m. EDT during the First Colors broadcast, a 90-minute ceremony that will be streamed online globally. The program, hosted by actor Gary Sinise, will commemorate those who served in the trenches and on the home front, celebrating a nation forever changed by the sacrifices they made and the ideals they demonstrated. 

“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.

The American flag that will be raised during First Colors first flew over the U.S. Capitol in 2017 and then, by the American Battle Monuments Commission (ABMC), over World War I cemeteries in France, Belgium, and the United Kingdom. The flag returned to the United States to fly at the World War I Museum and Memorial in Kansas City, Mo., before coming to Washington, D.C.

The live flag-raising ceremony will include a flyover by the 94th Fighter Squadron, formerly the 94th Aero Squadron, which began its prestigious history as the most victorious air warfare unit of World War I on March 6, 1918.

“As proud as we are of the 94th Aero Squadron, we know their contributions were just a small part of the overall American and Allied war effort, both on the front lines and at home. We will never forget their sacrifice, and we remain forever grateful for it,” said Air Force Lt. Col. Johnathan Kuntz, 94th Fighter Squadron commander.

The live First Colors ceremony will also feature the following:

  • Remarks from past and present military officials and government leaders, including:
    • Secretary of the Interior Deb Haaland
    • Chairman of the Joint Chiefs Gen. Mark Milley
    • Senator Mitch McConnell (R-KY)
    • Representative Emanuel Cleaver (D-MO)
  • Performance of “God Bless the U.S.A.” by Lee Greenwood with acapella group Home Free and members of the United States Air Force Band.
  • Highlights from the film “A Soldier’s Journey” about the design of the memorial, featuring lead architect Joe Weishaar and sculptor Sabin Howard.
  • Music from the United States Army Band, Pershing’s Own, using the bugle owned by Gen. John Pershing, commander of the American Expeditionary Forces in Europe during World War I.
  • A performance by the 396th Regiment “Hellfighters Band,” an all-Black band in World War I’s segregated Army credited with bringing jazz to Europe.
  • A song from “Hello Girls, the Musical” that portrays the first women to actively serve in the Army as World War l telephone operators.

First Colors is presented by the World War l Centennial Commission in cooperation with the Doughboy Foundation, the National Park Service, and the American Battle Monuments Commission. For more information and to watch the broadcast, visit www.ww1cc.org/firstcolors.

In addition to the Memorial opening to the public Saturday April 17 under the administration of the National Park Service, two new apps are now available to enhance the visitor experience in person or visit online. The apps are available on the Apple and Android stores. The first app is the World War I Memorial “Visitor Guide,” for those visiting the Memorial in Washington, D.C. The World War I Memorial “Virtual Explorer” is for those visiting the memorial from home or school and will bring the entire World War I Memorial experience to remote visitors, wherever they are. Both apps use the technology of augmented reality to let users see objects, information, stories and videos though smartphone and mobile device screens as they explore.

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