WW1 Centennial News

• 100 Year Ago: Flag Day 1917 like no other |@ 00:45

And much more….

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Welcome to World War One Centennial News. It’s about WW1 news 100 years ago this week  - and it’s about WW1 NOW - news and updates about the centennial and the commemoration.

WW1 Centennial News is brought to you by the U.S. World War I Centennial Commission and the Pritzker Military Museum and Library. Today is June 14th, 2017 and I’m Theo Mayer - Chief Technologist for the World War One Centennial Commission and your host.

We have gone back in time 100 years and on June 14, 1917 - it’s FLAG Day. And it is a flag day, like no other in history.

The Washington Herald writes:

“Never has there been such a Flag Day fete before, and it may be centuries before it occurs again, but the deed was accomplished, despite the setting. The President has spoken.”

Though America had declared war on Germany, the real enemy on this Flag Day seems to be the weather.

Storm gale winds and heavy rain threatens what is supposed to be a major event in the nation’s capital planned with a 600 voice choir, a huge audience including government employees, who have a ½ day off so they can join the festivities - All to frame a rousing speech by President Woodrow Wilson about the war.

The herald article captures the moment with:

“Nature Allied with the German Autocracy yesterday in a futile effort to block the delivery of the most sensational war statement to the American People ever heard from the lips of a President!”

Streets flooded, flags were ripped out of their holders and one man died in the gale while President Wilson braved the storm, shuning an umbrella and delivering a rousing speech against the gale.

It all seemed somehow prophetic and appropriate.

Then at the end of the day, it was announced that Liberty Loan drive had not only met it’s goal, but had exceeded it!

On this Flag day in 1917  it feels like nothing can or will dare stop the Yanks.

Link: http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2017/jun/13/flag-day-in-1917-was-like-no-other/

We are going to pick up on the Liberty Loan drive by exploring this week’s pages of the “Official Bulletin”, the government war gazette published by George Creel, America’s propaganda chief, under the orders of President Wilson. We are pulling from Volume 1 - Issues 27-32

The pages of the Bulletin are filled with an all-out - last minute effort - in promoting the Liberty Loan bonds as this first national fund-raising program comes to a close this week:

[sound effect]

Dateline Monday June 11, 1917

Headline: BELLS TO RING OUT CALL FOR LIBERTY LOAN SUBSCRIPTIONS

The story reads:

“The US Treasury Department issues the

following:

The pendulum of time is to swing back to 1776 and once again to the inscription on the old liberty bell :

‘Proclaim liberty throughout all the land, unto the inhabitants thereof,’

It is - to call Americans to service in the cause of freedom.

In every city, town, village, and hamlet "from every mountain side," the summons to every American shall ring. Beginning to-day (Monday) the bells in churches, schools, courthouses, and town halls throughout the Nation will toll every night at 9 o'clock, reminding Americans that the time for patriotic support of the Government through subscription to the

liberty loan bonds is drawing to a close.

The bells will ring four times to-night, indicating that four days remain in which to buy bonds ; Tuesday they will toll three times; twice on Wednesday; and once Thursday.”

That quite a sales campaign! But that’s just a part of it.

Listen to some of the other fundraising headlines - just from this week’s issues of the Official Bulletin - We will spare you the stories!

[sound effect]

Headline:

• LIBERTY LOAN APPEAL SENT TO EVERY NAVY SHIP AND STATION

• JUNE BRIDES SHOULD ASK THAT THEIR GIFT BE LIBERTY LOANS

• LIBERTY LOAN IS A GOLDEN OPPORTUNITY

• ARTISTIC LIBERTY LOAN BONDS BEING TURNED OUT BY ENGRAVERS WORKING NIGHT AND DAY

• SENATE LEADERS URGE PUBLIC TO BUY LIBERTY LOAN BONDS

And on Friday - the day after the first subscription period closes - the Official Bulletin pronounced:

• LIBERTY LOAN OVERSUBSCRIBED ; IT IS A GENUINE TRIUMPH FOR DEMOCRACY" SAYS SECRETARY Mc'ADOO

The government bond subscription target is set to raise $1.9 billion - and is said to have raised $2.5 billion- which is over 52 billion in 2017 dollars.

It is huge win for the Wilson administration -

We’ll continue with a couple of stories about some of the “No holds no barred” methods they used to do it.

Dateline: Monday June 11, 1917

Headline: WEALTHY CREEK INDIAN SEEKING TO INVEST

HIS GREAT RICHES IN LIBERTY LOAN BONDS

Jackson Bamett, a Creek Indian, Has Nearly $800,000 on Deposit In Banks and Treasury, from Rich Oil Lands Once Thought of Little Value, Allotted Him - In Oklahoma.

Wow.. Native Americans stepping up to help the nation. Well, maybe not exactly.

Now the Native American community DID step up - and step up big - during WW1 - but stepping up financially? - Before indian casinos? - well, that was surprising and we thought there might be an interesting story here - so we sent out of our Commission summer interns - Lorenzo Rodriguez - to dig into the story a little. Here is what we learned.

Jackson Barnett, a full blood Creek indian, is given 160 acre of land in 1903 in Oklahoma thanks to the Curtis act of 1898. Well - in 1912 they find oil on the property that earns him between 3 and 4 million dollars over his lifetime!

Of course he is an Indian, in his 60’s and illiterate so the Creek County Court and the US Dept. of the interior declares him as “incompetent” and arranges to become the stewards of his estate.

It turns out, that it is not actually Mr. Barnett’s idea to buy nearly $700,000 in liberty bonds - OR to donate $50,000 to the Red Cross?

The good news is that Barnett is no fool - and later proves himself mentally capable of understanding his own actions and takes back control of his estate.

There’s a book about him called: The World's Richest Indian: The Scandal over Jackson Barnett's Oil Fortune. We put a link to it in the podcast notes.

https://www.amazon.com/Worlds-Richest-Indian-Scandal-Barnetts/dp/0195182987

Apparently, Secretary of the interior, Lane has control over quite a bit more than Mr. Barnett’s estate.

This same week…

[sound effect]

Dateline Wed. June 13, 1917

Headline: SECRETARY LANE SUBSCRIBES TO $10,000,000 LIBERTY LOAN BONDS FOR THE ACCOUNT OF AMERICAN INDIANS

Secretary of the Interior Lane has subscribed to $10,000,000 in Liberty

Loan Bonds on behalf of the accounts of Indians whose money is in his custody.

Secretary lane states:

‘Most of these Indians reside in Oklahoma. They are " incompetents "

similar to Jackson Barnett for whose account $640,000 in Liberty Bonds was subscribed yesterday. Most of the funds of these Indians is on deposit either at low rates of interest or in the Treasury Department drawing no interest.’

The implication is that this is a favor because now the funds are in Liberty Bonds drawing 3.5% interest. And maybe it was.

So - in summary - about the government getting into the bond business - subscribing to the bonds became a symbol of patriotic duty in the United States running up to WW1 - AND it introduced the idea of financial securities to many citizens for the first time. The Act of Congress which authorized the Liberty Bonds is still the same law used TODAY as the authority under which all U.S. Treasury bonds are issued.

And speaking of issued...

The amazing  “Official Bulletin” the government war gazette,  is now being re-issued every day - Except Sunday - on our website - on the centennial of its original publish date.

If you are an educator, researcher, historian, student of propaganda or just interested in exploring the nuances of America’s transformation in 1917, and the echoes - that still ring in your life today - Like US Treasury Bonds - We offer you this wonderful daily resource at  ww1cc.org/bulletin - explore, exploit, Enjoy!

It’s kind of an amazing daily read about the war that changed the world.

Link: ww1cc.org/bulletin

Moving on to our first guest - we are joined by former NPR correspondent Mike Shuster from the Great War Project blog.  Mike - Human beings have a tendency to believe what they want to believe - and from my readings, both the French and the Brit’s see America as this powerful juggernaut ready to sweep in and solve the wretched, miserable, wearying war. And now Pershing arrives in Europe - and the news he brings is not exactly what anyone wants to hear - right?

“A desperate moment for the allies

Pershing in london tells king no aircraft on the way”

LINK:http://greatwarproject.org/2017/06/11/a-desperate-moment-for-the-allies/

Thank you Mike. That was Mike Shuster from the Great War Project blog.

War in the Sky: Interview with Paul Callens and Eileen Dumont

Last week we ran a story about US Marine Corp - medal of Honor recipient aviator Ralph Talbot and about the collaborative research project being done across the atlantic - about him - by two citizen historians.

So as a follow up, we have invited Eileen Dumont from Massachusetts and Paul Callens from Pittem, Belgium, also a member of Flemish Genealogical Society in the Tielt region.

Welcome to both of you!

[interview]

That was Eileen Dumont from Massachusetts and Paul Callens from Pittem, Belgium about their trans-continental collaboration in honoring US Marine aviator Ralph Talbot.

link:http://www.patriotledger.com/news/20170428/fascinating-new-insight-gained-into-ralph-talbot

Our friends at the Great War Channel on Youtube produce videos about WW1 - 100 years ago this week  - The show is produced in Europe - so it comes from a more European perspective. This is Indy Niedel - the host of the show.

[Indy clip]

One of their new clips this week is called the Top 10 Stupid Moves of WW1 from Mid 1915 through 1916. Indy offers a really interesting perspective on some of the strategic blunders of the time - seen through that sharp sharp lens of hindsight.

The link is in the podcast notes or search for “the great war” on youtube.

Link:

https://www.youtube.com/user/TheGreatWar

We are going to close out “WW1 - 100 years ago this week” with a follow up to last week’s report about June 5th - registration day for the selective service. That is the subject for our new segment - The StoryTeller and the Historian with Richard Rubin and Jonathan Bratten.

[run segment]

That was - the StoryTeller - Richard Rubin and The Historian - Jonathan Bratten talking about the 1917 Selective Service act.

We have moved forward into the present with

WW1 Centennial News NOW  - News about the centennial and the commemoration.

From the U.S. National WW1 Centennial Events Register at WW1CC.org/events - here is our upcoming “event pick” of the week:

“Decoding the Great War” is a panel discussion that will take place June 20th at the National Cryptologic Museum in Maryland. If our stories from last week about the Choctaw Code Talkers or the use of knitting as covert communications interested you, this panel is a great opportunity to learn even more about the role of codes and ciphers in WW1.

This panel discussion includes experts in the evolution of Intelligence Collection, Radio Intelligence, Code Making and the first Code Talkers.

Check out U.S. National WW1 Centennial Events Register  for things happening in your area, and there is a big red button there so you can submit your own upcoming events to it, at ww1cc.org/events

link:https://www.facebook.com/events/397486580636106/

http://ww1cc.org/events

PTSD Month - The Lost Battalion and suicide

As we have mentioned - June is PTSD Awareness month - and as we did last week, we bring you another story on the disorder and WW1.

100 years ago, Lieutenant Colonel Charles Whittlesey was known around the world -- as was, the battalion he lead during World War 1.

The so called Lost Battalion was surrounded by enemies and cut off in the Argonne for days -- before being saved when their famous messenger pigeon “Chere Ami” - aptly named as “dear friend” was able to relay their position for help.

Commission friend and author - Rob Laplander - wrote a book called “Finding the Lost Battalion”.  Links to his book and additional information from his research on the Lost Battalion is available at  ww1cc.org/lostbattalion - all lower case - all one word.

So…  the war ended a month after the incident and Whittlesey and his comrades were hailed as fabled heroes for the exploit. But the war lingered on in the Lieutenant Colonel’s mind and in 1921, just a few years after the war, Whittlesey committed suicide.

Whittlesey is, by no means, alone in this fate. In a 2014 study the Veteran’s administration reported that 20 US veterans commit suicide every day.

There is a detailed article about Whittlesey’s suicide in the Berkshire Eagle and we have put a number of link in the podcast notes for you. Please keep our veterans in your mind and in our heart as PTSD Awareness month continues this June.

link:http://ww1cc.org/lostbattalion http://www.berkshireeagle.com/stories/lost-again-echoes-of-a-wwi-heros-suicide,508711

http://www.worldwar1centennial.org/index.php/finding-the-lost-battalion-home.html

http://save22.vet/?gclid=CI2bhJicu9QCFcOCswod49oO_g

https://activeheroes.org/22kill/?gclid=CITnppicu9QCFZCPswod5xAFGg

http://www.militarytimes.com/story/veterans/2016/07/07/va-suicide-20-daily-research/86788332/

This week in Education we want to let you know about the WW1 Centennial Commission Education Newsletter, released every other month. Each issue includes an extensive selection of articles, lessons, teaching guidelines and primary sources that you can freely use, all vetted by professional historians and educators. The newsletter is produced with assistance from National History Day, American Battle Monuments Commission, the American Field Service, the Library of Congress, the National Archives and more.

The upcoming week’s newsletter is themed “Animals at War” and includes articles and links for differing grade levels about the role of animals in the war. Some famous individuals are featured like Winnie the Pooh and Sgt Stubby as well as lesser known characters like Jackie the Baboon. Perhaps the most surprising critter featured is the glow worm, who played a useful if unexpected role in the war.

Register for the newsletter or read past issues by following the link in the podcast notes.

link:http://www.worldwar1centennial.org/index.php/educate/education-resources.html

Battleship Texas Leaks

Now for our updates from the states.

From Texas - there is a news story from Houston about flooding aboard the USS Texas.

The Battleship Texas survived World War 1 - and then went on to survive  world war II. Now we hope she will survive the month!

Periodic leaks have plagued the aging ship since 2010 and a large new one sprung up over this past weekend. By Monday June 11th, the ship was listing 8 degrees. By Tuesday 12 degrees. She needs help.

Previously, needed repairs were postponed because of the high expense. There’s no news yet as to how extensive the damage will be to the battleship, but you can be certain it will come at a similarly high price tag. We hope a solution can be found so that this 103 year old historic vessel can resume its role as a site for educating the public and school children about the World Wars.

Learn more by following the links in the podcast notes.

link:http://dfw.cbslocal.com/2017/06/12/battleship-texas-closed-tilting-as-crews-work-to-plug-leaks/

DC: Archivists work to save American Legion post in DC

From the District of Columbia is a story about an American Legion Post.

Last summer, as the Smithsonian Museum of African-American History prepared to open, some local archivists and educators began working to save the history of an African-American American Legion post in northeast D.C.

The James Reese Europe Post 5 was first established 100 years ago during World War 1, named for the noted band leader of the 369th Infantry - the Harlem Hellfighters.

What’s left of the Post House is mostly just boxes of documents and photographs; so the post has teamed up with American University educators and Prologue DC to research, archive and preserve what it left of the post. Read more about the project at the links in the podcast notes.

link: http://wtop.com/dc/2016/08/archivists-work-to-save-american-legion-post-in-dc/

http://dcpost5.americanobserver.net/

Maine: Unlikely War Poet

From the Maine WW1 web site ---  a story about an unlikely war poet, Ralph Moan, a civil engineer from the town of Waterville, Maine. World War I is noted for the incredibly evocative war poetry it produced, notably from such soldier-poets as Wilfred Owen and Siegfried Sassoon. However, very few of those well-known poets were American.

Ralph Moan served with the 103d Infantry Regiment, part of the 26th “Yankee” Division made up entirely of New England units. He returned home to Maine in 1919 as a corporal to find that he had been awarded both the French Croix de Guerre and the Distinguished Service Cross for his bravery. Now that he was home, he gathered his memories of the war and its devastation -- into himself, channeling it into poetry. Though he never spoke of his experiences aloud, even to his family, his experience of the war lived on in his writings.

Read his story on the Maine’s WW1 website at ww1cc.org/maine

Link: ww1cc.org/maine

http://www.worldwar1centennial.org/2515

https://armyhistory.org/an-unlikely-war-poet-a-doughboy-from-maine/

Violin left unfinished played at his grave

This week in our International Report comes a wonderful story about two young British men and the violin that brought them together across a century.

Private Richard Howard began making his violin before the outbreak of world war 1, planning to finish it upon his return. Sadly, he died in the fighting on the first day of the battle of Messines ridge in June 1917, 100 years ago this month.

The violin passed from person to person, being put together and finished over the course of decades. It wound up in Sam Sweeney hands - a british folk musician who somehow knew it was something special.

Inside the violin was the date “1915” and Private Howard’s name,  so - Sweeney tracked down the young soldier and his descendents.

In a recent ceremony, Sweeney played the soldier’s violin at his grave as Howard’s family looked on. The family hadn’t known much of anything about Howard, his own granddaughter saying “I knew nothing at all about my grandfather... I was very interested to learn about him because I had heard nothing except 'your grandfather died in the war'. People in those days didn't talk about it for fear of upsetting someone. My mother [Rose] was 11 when he died. I have to say the news when it got to me just blew me away.”

Sweeney continues to tell the instrument's unique story in his show, Made in the Great War, which he is touring across the UK.

song “rose howard” named for Pvt Howard’s daughter. Link to Sam Sweeney’s album: https://www.madeinthegreatwar.com/music

link:http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2017/06/07/violin-left-unfinished-ww1-soldier-played-grave-100-years-chance/

https://www.madeinthegreatwar.com/music

In our Spotlight on the Media -

The headline reads - 'Wonder Woman' Smashes Domestic Box Office Record For Female Directors”  

So on one hand we have a hit movie - and on the other we have a little mystery!

The Wonder Woman in DC comic book Issue 1 that came out on July 22, 1942 - was originally set during WWII…  but this summer’s early blockbuster is set in WW1. We HAD to ask why?

So we put another of our Commission’s intrepid summer interns - Paul Burgholzer to chasing down the mystery. Here is the story:

Though the filmmakers have declined to de-mystify this - He found three theories -

Theory ONE - From an IGN interview with producer Charles Roven. Roven says that the film was set in in World War I because it adds a culture shock aspect to Diana. Diana romanticizes war and trains in hand to hand combat. She believes that combat is an honorable competition between warriors. World War I, Roven explains, was the first major conflict where the combatants did not even see the people they were killing. In the film the WWI introduces the extreme suffering of modern warfare to Wonder Woman driving her to seek a solution.

Theory TWO - The filmmakers wanted to set themselves apart from their rivals at Marvel Comic with characters like Captain America whose story is set in WWII

Theory THREE - comes from Breitbart putting forth the theory that WW1 sets a more politically correct agenda - The writer - who wrote the article in January - predicted that the film would be strongly anti-war and that WW1 would be a better foil for that because WWII has such clear villain like Hitler.

I don’t know about that that… When I saw the movie last weekend it did not feel like much of a political statement to me at all. It just seemed like a really well made summer blockbuster, a really fun entertainment, and a really strong female lead. What do you think?  

link:http://www.worldwar1centennial.org/index.php/communicate/press-media/wwi-centennial-news/2543-why-wonder-woman-had-to-be-set-in-world-war-i.html

WWrite Blog

In our WWRITE blog, which we host on the commission web site and which explores WWI’s Influence on contemporary writing and scholarship,

this week's post is: "More Gentile Than Grim: Letters Home from WWI," comes from author, editor, and award-winning teacher, David Chrisinger.

Chrisinger is the editor of See Me For Who I Am, a collection of essays by veteran students that seeks to undermine three main media-create stereotypes that divide them from the American people they have fought to protect: as superhuman; as broken, disabled, and traumatized; or as dangerous, ticking time bombs.

In this post, he discusses a WWI project he completed with new student veterans at the University of Wisconsin - Stevens Point using hundreds of letters written by WWI soldiers from the town where the university is located. Don't miss this post describing their surprising, insightful reactions!

Read more about the project by visiting the Wwrite blog at ww1cc.org/w-w-r-i-t-e and if this WW1’s Influence on contemporary writing and scholarship is of particular interest - sign up for the blog at the same link.

ww1cc.org/wwrite

http://www.worldwar1centennial.org/articles-posts.html

That brings us to the buzz - the centennial of WW1 this week in social media with Katherine Akey - Katherine - what do you have for us this week?

The Army’s Treasure Room

That warehouse from the end of Indiana Jones and the Ark of the Covenant? Turns out that pretty much exists.

link:https://www.buzzfeed.com/bennyjohnson/inside-the-armys-spectacular-hidden-treasure-room?utm_term=.qjxyBkM3QK#.lpmGL1oXO5

https://armyhistory.org/donation-opportunities-programs/

Gen. Pershing Arrives

A photo from our Instagram feed proves popular

Link:https://www.facebook.com/ww1centennial/photos/a.774612519380715.1073741840.185589304949709/789769801198320/?type=3&theater

Thank you Katherine. All of Katherine’s stories have links in the podcast notes.

And That’s WW1 Centennial News for this week. Thank you for listening!

We want to thank our guests:

• Mike Shuster from the Great War Project blog

And I am Theo Mayer - your host.

The US World War One Centennial Commission was created by Congress to honor, commemorate and educate about WW1.

Our programs are to--

inspire a national conversation and awareness about WW1; This show is a part of that effort!

we are bringing the lessons of the 100 years ago into today's classrooms;

We are helping to restore WW1 memorials in communities of all sizes across our country;

and of course we are building America’s National WW1 Memorial in Washington DC.

We rely entirely on your donations. No government appropriations or taxes are being used, so please give what you can by going to ww1cc.org/donate - all lower case

Or if you are listening to the show on your smart phone you can text us a donation - just text  the letters: WW1 to the number 41444.

We want to thank commission’s founding sponsor the Pritzker Military Museum and Library for their support.

The podcast can be found on our website at ww1cc.org/cn  

on  iTunes and google play ww1 Centennial News. As of last week you can also find us on TuneIn.

Our twitter and instagram handles are both @ww1cc and we are on facebook @ww1centennial.

Thanks for joining us. And don’t forget to share what you are learning here about “The War that Changed the World”.

So long.

[music]

• Official Bulletin: Ships, planes, wood, film, and phones |@ 03:00

And much more...----more----

Welcome to World War One Centennial News. It’s about WW1 news 100 years ago this week  - and it’s about WW1 NOW - news and updates about the centennial and the commemoration.

WW1 Centennial News is brought to you by the U.S. World War I Centennial Commission and the Pritzker Military Museum and Library. Today is June 7th, 2017 and I’m Theo Mayer - Chief Technologist for the World War One Centennial Commission and your host.

This week 100 years ago is marked by June 5th, 1917. It’s registration day!

It’s all a part of the The Selective Service Act that went into law last month, on May 18.

June 5th is the day when all young men between the ages of 21 and 30 are to register themselves with the government for possible conscription into the US military. Last week you heard about the many differences the American populace has about this issue and how protesting against registration, handing out anti-draft literature, or evading registration is considered criminal and potentially treasonous.

All things considered, registration day goes much as expected.

Link:http://www.sj-r.com/news/20170603/manhood-day-june-5-1917-produced-rush-to-register-for-draft

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Selective_Service_Act_of_1917

https://www.geni.com/blog/world-war-i-the-u-s-declares-war-397143.html

https://www.army.mil/article/3099

We are going to continue to look at this week, from the US government perspective, So let’s go to the “Official Bulletin” the government war gazette published by George Creel, America’s propaganda chief, under the orders of President Wilson. Here are some of the stories pulled from the archive of the Official Bulletin

Dateline June 4th, 1917

Headline: THERE ARE NEW NAMES FOR 14 - SEIZED GERMAN SHIPS

ASSIGNED TO NAVY DEPARTMENT SERVICE

As war is declared the US seizes a number of German ships in harbors from New York to Honolulu. This week they are officially assigned to the navy and re-christened, mostly with the names of American cities. Here are some of the name changes.

The Breslau is changed to the USN Bridgeport.

The Kiel to the USN Camden.

The Leihenfels to Houston.

The Saxonia to Savannah.

The Nicaria to Pensacola.

The Oden Wald to Newport News.

Hohenfelde to Long Beach.

Both the last two ships are named after US cities with major shipyards.

We can only image sitting at the table where a team of naval officers  worked all this out!

Dateline June 4th

Headline: U. S. ACQUIRES AVIATION FIELD IN FRANCE

TO TRAIN FLYERS GRADUATED IN AMERICA

Preparing to enter the war in the sky, the US plans an aviation training program like no other - ever.

Part of the story reads:

"America is responsible for the invention of both the submarine and the airplane. In the development of both, she has allowed Europe to outstrip her. It is for us to show that we can yet surpass both our enemies and our allies in the development of the two great mechanical inventions for which we ourselves are responsible. We believe that we are making progress in our air program, and we intend to increase rather than diminish speed as we go forward." Announces Howard E. Coffin, the chairman of the aircraft production board.  He continues with:

" France and Great Britain have made it plain again and again that they expect aircraft and aviators to be one of America's greatest contributions to success in the war."

Dateline June 5th, 1917

Headline: US MAY NEED 2 billion FEET

OF LUMBER FOR WAR PURPOSES

An on-going theme in the Official Bulletin, and therefore clearly on the minds of the government is resource management. America is rich in natural resources, but still under-developed in the infrastructure to exploit them. This includes industries like timber - which you may remember is how George Boeing made his initial fortune in the Pacific Northwest.

If you think about America, our woodsmen are a special breed and in the same June 5th  issue of the Official Bulletin … Another headline reads:

US FORMING FORESTRY REGIMENT FOR WAR SERVICE IN FRANCE

The article goes on with:

“A regiment of woodsmen and mill workers is being recruited for early service in France and is being organized at the request of the allies to: Quote: “Get Out Timber for the Armies”.

This includes railroad ties, trench timbers, mine props, bridge timbers, lumber, and cordwood. The work will be performed behind the

battle lines in France but may fall within the danger zone.

The article goes on to state

“This regiment will be made up of picked woodsmen. Service in it will give such men a chance to take a part In the war for which their life and training have peculiarly fitted them.”

Dateline June 6, 1917

Headline: LIBERTY LOAN "TRAILER" TO BE SHOWN IN ALL MOVIES

So now George Creel - gets into film making producing a movie trailer about people buying Liberty Bond. Here is the story:

“A liberty loan " trailer " has been sent to practically every motion-picture theater In the country and will be shown at every performance until June 15th.”

The article describes the film - which includes an inspiring American Flag, an on-camera message from President Wilson and an “ASK” to buy Liberty bonds. The article closes giving Kudos to the Eastman Company  (later Eastman / Kodak” ) of Rochester NY for donating the ½ million feet of film stock the trailers are printed on.

Dateline June 8th, 1917

Headline: 100 U. S. NAVAL AVIATORS ARRIVE SAFELY IN FRANCE

“Secretary of the Navy Daniels to-day announced the safe arrival in France of a corps of 100 naval aviators sent there for duty in the antisubmarine operations, and for any other active duty that may be given them in France.”

They are the first officers and men of the regular fighting forces of the United States that have landed in France. Lieut. Kenneth Whiting is in command. It is reported that “the entire force is intact and that there was no sickness or casualties on the trip across”.

Headline: GEN. PERSHING IN ENGLAND

The story reads:

“Gen. John J. Pershing and 53 officers and members of his party are reported to have reached England in safety.

And finally…

Dateline, June 9th, 1917

Headline: US CAN NOW PHONE MILITARY ORDERS TO ANY PART OF COUNTRY

Here is a technology story in the Saturday issue… It may not be the internet - but the US Government was pretty excited by the long distance telephone!

The story reads:

“At the inception of the war In Europe, [They mean in 1914] ,” there were some outlying places in the US not connected by long lines capable of commercial transmission of telephone messages.

Since then The American Telephone & Telegraph Co. has extended its lines across the continent and so improved transmission that it is now possible to communicate by long-distance telephone with any section of the United States.

Thus the Government officials have almost instantaneous access to every

center of activity. These toll and long distance wires reach every town, hamlet, and crossroads of any importance.

So if you think of it from a national security standpoint - this is a pretty big deal - and here is another interesting fact… The American Telephone and Telegraph company - AT&T - just happens to be my current Internet Service Provider and it is AT&T that allowed me to upload this very podcast to reach you.

You know...

Each issue of this amazing  “Official Bulletin” is now being re-published every day on our website on the centennial of its original publish date.

If you are a teacher - a historian - whether student or scholar,  a sociologist, or just someone interested in exploring the nuances of America’s transformation in 1917, and the echoes that still ring in your life to this very day - like AT&T - We offer you this wonderful daily resource at  ww1cc.org/bulletin - explore, exploit, Enjoy!

Link: ww1cc.org/bulletin

Moving on to our first guest - we are joined by former NPR correspondent Mike Shuster from the Great War Project blog.  Mike - In one of my favorite Historical science fiction series “The Safehold Saga” by author David Weber, there is a battle scene where miners tunnel under the enemy’s fortifications and plant a large cache of explosives under the enemy positions with devastating results.

I Wonder if the story from post this week was the inspiration for Weber! Tell us the story Mike!

“A terrible scene of slaughter”

LINK:http://greatwarproject.org/2017/06/04/a-terrible-scene-of-slaughter/

Thank you Mike. That was Mike Shuster from the Great War Project blog.

We are always telling you about our friends at the Great War Channel on Youtube that present WW1 - 100 years ago this week as video - and from a more European perspective.

Well in Europe - this is week 149 of the war - for the US it is only week 8 - and we haven’t really not started to fight.

In the week 149 episode, Indie Nidel the host give you a great overview of some of the stories we have been looking at as well - like Herbert Plumbers tunnels under the Messine Ridge - and the french mutinies that Mike has been blogging about.

The link is in the podcast notes or search for “the great war” on youtube.

Link:

https://www.youtube.com/user/TheGreatWar

Before we leave 1917, we have one more centennial anniversary story for you. The George M. Cohan song "Over There" turns 100.

[run audio of song]

Over there became America's favorite anthem of World World I and one of the country's great patriotic anthems.

The version we were just hearing was from our April 6th event in Kansas City - and as you may discover from today’s podcast, the hook really sticks in your head.

As a special treat, we are launching our new segment -

The Storyteller and the Historian with Richard Rubin and Jonathan Bratten talking about Cohan’s song “Over There”

[section]

That was our new segment - the StoryTeller and the Historian - with Richard Rubin and Jonathan Bratten.

link:http://www.npr.org/2017/06/01/531004379/over-there-at-100

We have moved forward into the present with

WW1 Centennial News NOW  - News about the centennial and the commemoration.

Virginia War Museum: WW1 Reenactment Day

From the National WW1 Centennial Commemoration Events Register at WW1CC.org/events - here is our upcoming event pick of the week:

The Virginia War Museum: WW1 Reenactment Day coming up on June 17-18.

As the event post reads:

The Virginia War Museum, in conjunction with The Great War Association, will be hosting “America Mobilizes 1917” on Saturday and Sunday June 17-18, 2017 to commemorate the 100th anniversary of American Mobilization for World War One. The event will simulate an American Mobilization Camp preparing our soldiers to go “Over There.”

During the course of the day there will be demonstration drills, weapons and tactics displays, It’s living history on display with a great edutainment experience for the whole family - that is sure to be memorable!

Check out National WW1 Commemoration  events register for things happening in your area, and to add your own upcoming events to it, at ww1cc.org/events

link:http://www.warmuseum.org/calendar-of-events/2017/6/17/america-mobilizes-1917

June is PTSD Awareness Month

June is PTSD awareness month - and in honor of that we want to bring you the following report.

You may not know this but in WW1 Hundreds of soldiers suffering from what was called shell shock were put on trial and even executed for cowardice.

In 2006, Britain formally pardoned the 306 British WW1 soldiers suffering from Shell Shock and shot for cowardice. PTSD affects 31% of Vietnam veterans, and about 11% of american veterans that have served in the ongoing conflicts in the middle east. A recent article from the National Geographic points to some new research that may be lifting the veil on this type of trauma suffered during battle.

Shell Shock is actually an apt name for the condition described as occurring after a shell blast has hit the soldier in question. They are sometimes referred to as being “concussed”. Trauma after exposure to blast forces on the battlefield, specifically caused by exploding artillery shells in WW1 were are a signature injury.

In one study, the pattern of damage caused by exposure to blast force observed in the eight military personnel, is distinctly different from what is seen in the brains of football players or boxers. The implications of this finding are profound, pointing to the possibility that symptoms long thought to be psychological—ascribed to post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)—may instead be direct results of physical damage to the brain.

The blast shock finding also opens up potentially fertile new ground for research: Can the injury be healed or even mitigated? What equipment can be designed to protect service members against blast damage to their brains? Can tests be devised to identify damage in combatants on the battlefield in real time?

Read more about the study by following the link in the podcast notes to the National Geographic article “'Shell Shock'—The 100-Year Mystery May Now Be Solved”.

link:https://www.ptsd.va.gov/about/ptsd-awareness/promo_materials_awareness.asp

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/1526437/Pardoned-the-306-soldiers-shot-at-dawn-for-cowardice.html

http://news.nationalgeographic.com/2016/06/blast-shock-tbi-ptsd-ied-shell-shock-world-war-one/

http://www.thelancet.com/journals/laneur/article/PIIS1474-4422(16)30057-6/abstract

UCF and Merchantville Students

This week in Education we wanted to highlight the efforts of two groups of students to learn more about this great conflict in Europe by studying their own backyards. A group of students from the University of Central Florida and another from a middle school in Merchantville, New Jersey are making the conflict more relatable by focusing on the human element.

In Florida, students are writing biographies for 120 veterans in the Sumter County cemetery. The project includes developing an app for cemetery-goers and teaching local middle schoolers who visit the cemetery on field trips. When the project is finished this fall, the UCF students’ work will be displayed on the school’s website.

In Merchantville, seventh- and eighth-grade volunteers decided to research local veterans as part of an elective course that their history teacher created. The students studied the 135 veterans memorialized on a plaque in town put up by the local American Legion Post 68. The students presented their findings at a Memorial Day ceremony hosted by the American Legion which included a map that will be on display along with posters students made for each of the four local servicemen who died during the war.

These projects will serve as resources for future students, but most importantly we hope other schools will follow in their footsteps. As one eighth-grader from Merchantville put it "[the experience has] really been intriguing and enlightening and I want to know more about my community,"

Learn more about these projects by visiting the links in the podcast notes.

link:http://www.orlandosentinel.com/g00/features/education/school-zone/os-ucf-history-veterans-cemetery-20170509-story.html

link:http://www.courierpostonline.com/story/news/2017/05/26/merchantville-students-research-135-local-world-war-vets/324187001/

Wisconsin: Oral History Project

This week on the Wisconsin State Centennial Commission website at ww1cc.org/wisconsin there is an article about the Wisconsin Veterans Museum's Oral History Program.

The program honors those who served by recording and preserving their stories and experiences.

Since 1994, staff members and volunteers have conducted and collected over 2,100 interviews with veterans from around the state. The collection represents all branches and all conflicts and eras since World War I to the present day.

The Museum recently opened a new exhibit, WWI Beyond the Trenches: Stories from the Front. Throughout the next two years the museum will be offering programming and events that feature Wisconsin’s contribution to the Great War – in which 122,000 people from Wisconsin served. As part of these efforts, the Oral History Program will showcase the small but exciting collection of World War I oral history interviews. Read more about this remarkable Wisconsin program on the Wisconsin state website at ww1cc.org/wisonsin

link: ww1cc.org/wisconsin

http://www.worldwar1centennial.org/index.php/wisconsin-in-wwi-articles/2462-remembering-veterans-the-wisconsin-veterans-museum-oral-history-program.html

http://www.wisvetsmuseum.com/exhibitions/temporary/

http://www.wisvetsmuseum.com/veterans/oral_history/

Michigan: Pvt Joseph W. Guyton

From the Michigan WW1 web site a story about Joseph Guyton - who was born on June 10, 1889 in Evart, Michigan, a small town known for its lumber mills back in its day.  

Pioneers were just settling the area back in 1866 through homesteading after the Civil War. At age 20 he married his sweetheart Agnes Winona Baker from Lake City, Mi. Two years later in 1911 they had a daughter named Olive Clara Guyton. Life at this point was going very well. Then In 1914 war broke out over in Europe. Guyton was drafted into the US Military. Under military law Guyton could have appealed for an exemption -  since he only had a daughter and no name sake - in case he should die

but he was, like many Americans at the time, too proud not to go. He went on to become to first American casualty of the war on German soil. Read his whole story on the Michigan State website at ww1cc.org/michigan

Link:ww1cc.org/michigan

http://www.worldwar1centennial.org/index.php/michigan-in-ww1-articles/1650-pvt-joseph-w-guyton.html

100 Cities/100 Memorials

This coming Thursday, June 15th marks the end of the grant application period for the 100 Cities / 100 Memorials - the $200,000 matching grant challenge  to rescue ailing WW1 memorials - and in most ways - it actually marks the beginning of the project not the end.

What happens from here is that the submissions will be reviewed to make sure they are compliant with the program rules - you know - all the part and pieces of the application for the matching grant were submitted -

Any applicants that missed something will be notified and they will have the opportunity to fix any issues.

Then the applications will be assigned to a delegate jury - a selection committee that we will be announcing next week. We have some wonderful people who have agreed to review the project submissions.

We will be announcing the results this fall.

In the meantime, we will be promoting and profiling all the wonderful projects that were submitted - both on the website and here on the show - starting this week with a 100 Cities / 100 Memorials project from Brownwood Texas -

Joining us now is Dr. Steve Kelly - The president of the Central Texas Veterans Memorial - Hi Steve Welcome

Steve - please tell us about your project, your memorial and your coalition for restoration…

[Interview with Dr. Steve Kelly]

That was Dr Steve Kelly, president of the central texas veterans memorial telling us about the Brownwood texas Post 196 WW1 Memorial.

Stay up to date with everything happening in the 100 Cities / 100 Memorials project by signing up for the program’s blog at ww1cc.org/100memorials

link:http://www.ww1cc.org/100cities

http://www.brownwoodtx.com/article/20160416/NEWS/160419591

The Choctaw Code Talkers

This week in our International Report we have a story from England -- about Americans!

The Daily Mail recently published an article about the Choctaw Code Talkers, a group of Native American soldiers, mostly from Oklahoma, whose native language was used to baffle the enemy.

The story goes that two soldiers on the Western Front were overheard by a captain speaking in their native Choctaw language.

The Germans had been able to decipher many of the Allies' codes over the years, and it struck the captain that using the Native American language as a code, given the Germans had no knowledge of it or familiarity with similar languages, could be just the ticket.

It’s important to note that at this very same time, the US government in an attempt to “Americanize” the natives was trying to eradicate the language.

The Choctaw success paved the way for the Navajo Code Talkers in World War II. It’s another amazing example of America coming to grips with its own culture.

read more about it by following the link in the podcast notes.

link:http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-4552304/Native-American-soldiers-helped-Allies-win-WWI.html#ixzz4iUU22Cbp

In our Articles and Posts where we explore the World War One Centennial Commission’s rapidly growing website at ww1cc.org -

“Billy Bishop Goes To War”

This week in the ww1cc.org/news section there is an article about stage production called “Billy Bishop Goes To War”

We have with us Roy Steinberg, the producing artistic director for the Cape May Stage in New Jersey.

Welcome!

[Exchange Hello}

Roy -  before we dive into the production, can you briefly tell us about the Cape May Stage?

[ROY]

That was Roy Steinberg producing artistic director for the Cape May Stage in New Jersey, about their production “Billy Bishop Goes to War” which runs until June 23rd  Wednesdays through Saturdays at 8pm and a Sunday matinee at 3 - Follow the link in the podcast notes to learn more

link:http://www.worldwar1centennial.org/index.php/communicate/press-media/wwi-centennial-news/2390-cape-may-theater-production-looks-back-at-nj-in-wwi.html

http://www.capemaystage.org/main_production/billy-bishop-goes-war/

ww1cc.org/news

WWrite Blog

In our WWRITE blog, which we host on the commission web site and which explores WWI’s Influence on contemporary writing and scholarship,

this week's post is: "A Journey of Commemoration: The Great War through the Lens of Art", by Susan Werbe.

Appropriate to our previous guest, Susan is the executive producer of the "The Great War Theatre Project: Messengers of a Bitter Truth", performed in Boston, New York, and Letchworth (UK).

In the post she also discusses the process of weaving voice, dance, theatre, writings, and song cycles to examine the collective memory of war on the individual.

Werbe also talks about her latest project, "Letters You Will Not Get", a libretto, using various genres of women's WWI writing, set to commissioned contemporary music. Read the blog post to learn more about this wonderful showcase of an extraordinary, multidisciplinary project—not to be missed!

Read more about the project by visiting the Wwrite blog at ww1cc.org/w-w-r-i-t-e and if this WW1’s Influence on contemporary writing and scholarship is of particular interest - sign up for the blog at the same link.

ww1cc.org/wwrite

That brings us to the buzz - the centennial of WW1 this week in social media with Katherine Akey - Katherine - what do you have for us this week?

Knitting as Espionage

A specialized kind of covert communication was devised during the war in the domestic spaces under German occupation: knitting!

link:http://www.atlasobscura.com/articles/knitting-spies-wwi-wwii

Donut Day

You may have noticed on social media over the weekend an awful lot of images of fried rounds of sugar covered goodness...This past Friday was National Donut day, a day honoring the Salvation Army “Doughnut Girls” who served donuts to troops during WW1.

link:https://www.facebook.com/ww1centennial/photos/a.774612519380715.1073741840.185589304949709/784425948399372/?type=3

http://centralusa.salvationarmy.org/metro/donutdayhistory/

Thank you Katherine.  I think I’m off to get myself a sugar buzz from a nice glazed donut! All of Katherine’s stories have links in the podcast notes.

And That’s WW1 Centennial News for this week. Thank you for listening!

We want to thank our guests:

Mike Shuster from the Great War Project blog

Richard Rubin, Author and Storyteller and Jonathan Bratten, Historian with their new segment the StoryTeller and the Historian

Dr Steve Kelly, president of the central texas veterans memorial about their 100 Cities / 100 memorials project

Roy Steinberg producing artistic director for Cape May Stage about their production - Billy Bishop Goes to War

Katherine Akey the Commission’s social media director and also the line producer for the show.

And I am Theo Mayer - your host.

The US World War One Centennial Commission was created by Congress to honor, commemorate and educate about WW1.

Our programs are to--

inspire a national conversation and awareness about WW1; This show is a part of that effort!

we are bringing the lessons of the 100 years ago into today's classrooms;

We are helping to restore WW1 memorials in communities of all sizes across our country;

and of course we are building America’s National WW1 Memorial in Washington DC.

We rely entirely on your donations. No government appropriations or taxes are being used, so please give what you can by going to ww1cc.org/donate - all lower case

Or if you are listening to the show on your smart phone you can text us a donation - just text  the letters: WW1 to the number 41444.

We want to thank commission’s founding sponsor the Pritzker Military Museum and Library for their support.

The podcast can be found on our website at ww1cc.org/cn  

on  iTunes and google play ww1 Centennial News. As of last week you can also find us on TuneIn.

Our twitter and instagram handles are both @ww1cc and we are on facebook @ww1centennial.

Thanks for joining us. And don’t forget to share what you are learning here about “The War that Changed the World”.

So long.

[music]

• Official Bulletin: War bonds, fake news, prostitutes, shoes, trucks and draft dodgers |@ 01:00

And more...

----more----

Welcome to World War One Centennial News. It’s about WW1 news 100 years ago this week  - and it’s about WW1 NOW - news and updates about the centennial and the commemoration.

WW1 Centennial News is brought to you by the U.S. World War I Centennial Commission and the Pritzker Military Museum and Library. Today is May 31st, 2017 and I’m Theo Mayer - Chief Technologist for the World War One Centennial Commission and your host.

We have gone - back in time 100 years ago this week….

It is commencement week at universities around the country - and this week in May, 1917, Texas A&M - which  -  for those of you who don’t know - stands for Agricultural and Military - has cancelled their graduation ceremonies.

The Aggies have nixed the ceremonies because most of the 120 students in the graduating class have reported to active duty in the military. This is a first - ever - for Texas A&M.

link:http://today.tamu.edu/2017/05/02/texas-am-system-regents-honor-class-of-1917-cadets/

The war effort is getting in full swing around the country - for details let’s look at some of the headlines and stories in the “Official Bulletin” America’s government war gazette published by the order of president Wilson.

There are themes that manifest in the paper:

Buy War Bonds - is a clear theme-  as the nation prepares to raise massive amounts of capital for war.

Headlines on that theme - this week include:

• Appeal To Women Of Nation To Purchase Liberty Bonds

It goes on in every issue. This is a national fund drive like no other in history. Unlike the wars of the late 20th and early 21st century that are paid for by some magical process (called debt), in 1917 the populace is expected to step up and contribute.

But some things stay incredibly parallel. Here is a headline from Secretary of the Navy Daniels about fake news.

Dateline Saturday May 26, 1917:

"FALSE REPORTS" ABOUT SINKING OF U. S. SHIPS DEPLORED BY SECRETARY DANIELS

" It is with deep regret that I note the daily stream of false reports with regard to the sinking of American ships. Brokerage wires are a particular source for these baseless rumors that cannot but be -  the cause of needless distress to every true American as well as to mothers.

" The reason for these false reports cannot be ascertained. The one hope is that the press will refuse to aid this campaign of vicious rumor that is being carried on so industriously by persons unknown."

Following is an interesting appeal by Secretary of War Baker - sent as a letter to all governors of all states regarding the moral maintenance of young conscripts.

In the training camps already established or soon to be established large bodies of men, selected primarily from the youth of the country, will be gathered together for a period of intensive discipline and training.

The greater proportion of this force probably will be made up of young men who have not yet become accustomed to contact with either the saloon or the prostitute and who will be at that - plastic and generous period of life when questionable modes of indulgence - easily serve as outlets for exuberant physical vitality.

The article goes on in detail about keeping these young men from corruption, gambling, drinking and partying too heartily.

We are also in a war of new technology and America is, if nothing else, incredibly innovative.

Dateline May 28, 1917:

FULLY MOTORIZED FIELD BATTERY HAS JUST BEEN DEVELOPED BY U. S. ARMY

Believed to be First Complete Unit of Horseless Artillery Created  - Early Substitution of Tractors for Animals in Handling Nearly all Forms of Ordnance Predicted.

The story goes on to explain the details but mechanization was a big deal with trucks, tanks, ambulances and even Harley Davidson motorcycles.

Just as with innovation American industry and American entrepreneurship are both also exercised in a big way. A good and simple example is shoes!

Dateline June 2cnd, 1917:

Headline: ARMY AND NAVY CONTRACT FOR 3,450,000 PAIRS OF SHOES

Contracts for shoes, 2,000,000 for the Army and 850,000 for the Navy, have just been awarded, it was announced to-day. These are the largest shoe contracts ever made by the Government and were made under the new system by which the requirements of the Army and Navy are considered jointly and the representatives of practically the entire industry affected are brought together to meet the needs of the Government.

The war effort also upsets the social norms of American Society as the country tries to come to grips with fundamental changes.

Dateline May 28, 1917: TRAINING CAMP FOR COLORED MEN ESTABLISHED IN IOWA

The Chief of Staff of the Army issues a brief outlining the provisions made for training camps for colored citizens :

" You are advised that training camps for colored citizens will be established at Fort Des Moines; Iowa, under section 54, National Defense Act, and the regulations prescribed for present training camps, except as modified herein and hereafter. The camp is under the control of the Department Commander, Central Department, who will prepare and conduct the same. “

The story of WW1, the conscription of African Americans, their treatment before, during and after the war - and how this led to the civil rights movement is fundamental - to what made WW1 the War that Changed the World!

Another ongoing theme that continues weekly is the draft, the process of it, the resistance to it and the conflict about it.

Examples this week include the following headlines:

Dateline May 29-June 1, 1917

Headline: 11 ARRESTS FOR ATTEMPTS TO HINDER REGISTRATION

Eleven arrests have been made and nine Indictments have been returned by Federal grand juries as the result of attempts to hinder registration in accordance with the provisions of the new Army bill.

Headline: PROVOST MARSHAL DENIES ALL MARRIED MEN WILL BE EXEMPT FROM DRAFT LAW

The article explains that there will be no exemption for married men with families - as rumor had been insinuated.

Headline: WAR DEPARTMENT - POINTS OUT WHAT YOUNG AMERICANS SHOULD DO ON REGISTRATION DAY

What does a young man do on registration day? He does his duty to his country, and he will find that the ways and means of doing it are not laborious, involved, or complex.

Headline: MEN LEAVING U. S. TO ESCAPE REGISTRATION TO BE HALTED

Department of Justice officials are determined that no man subject to registration under the new Army law shall escape his obligation by leaving the United States before June 5.

Each issue of the official bulletin is now being published daily on the centennial of its original publish date. You can read the current and past issues on our web site. For historians, social anthropologists, and anyone interested in exploring the nuances of America’s transformation in 1917, go to ww1cc.org/bulletin

Link: ww1cc.org/bulletin

Joining us now is former NPR correspondent Mike Shuster from the Great War Project blog.  Mike - Your story this week also looks at the conflicts in US society over the war. What is the story?

“In the us little enthusiasm for war”

LINK:

http://greatwarproject.org/2017/05/28/in-u-s-little-enthusiasm-for-war/

Thank you Mike. That was Mike Shuster from the Great War Project blog.

This week in the great war in the sky, we are going to profile US Army Colonel Raynal Bolling.

Bolling, an arkansan who graduates from Harvard Law School and moves to the east coast - is in sympathy with the objectives of the “Preparedness Movement”, a group of influential Americans advocating military preparedness for involvement in World War I and drawn primarily from wealthy lawyers, bankers, academics, and politicians of the Northeast. He is also members of the American Aero Club, and began taking flying lessons on property owned by the Wright Company near Garden City, New York.

By that time the United States was at war with Germany. Bolling was called to active duty as a major in the Aviation Section, U.S. Signal Corps on April 27, 1917,

Quote: "for duty in connection with the organization of the 1st Reserve Aero Squadron," pursuant to authorization of the National Defense Act of 1916.

So on May 26, 1917, 100 years ago this week, he organizes a new 154-man squadron, the first air reserve unit in the United States.

Before Bolling could actually take command of his unit, he is detached in June 1917 for staff duty.

Turns out that French premier Alexandre Ribot has sent U.S. President Woodrow Wilson a telegram at the end of May urging the United States to contribute 4,500 aircraft; 5,000 pilots; and 50,000 mechanics to the war effort.

Because of his legal experience Bolling is assigned to assist in the drafting of legislation to fund the development of military aviation in response to Ribot's proposal.

The subsequent Aviation Act, passes on July 24, 1917 and is the largest single appropriation for a single purpose in US History, $640 million. That is over 13 billion in 2017 dollars!!

In conjunction with that duty, he is also appointed to the advisory Aircraft Production Board of the Council of National Defense to head an aeronautical commission to Europe known as "the Bolling Mission," to represent Secretary of War Newton D. Baker and the Board.

We will hear more about Raynald Bolling in the coming months - he was smart, effective and an influential character in the formation of US military aviation. Especially 100 years ago this week in the great war in the sky!

If you’d like to watch interesting and informative videos about WW1, 100 years ago this week -

check out the new posts from our friends at the Great War Channel on Youtube.

This week their new episodes include a special about Croatia.

Indie Nydell - the show’s host - points out that most nations involved in WW1 were parts of empires - This special, focuses on one nation inside the Austro-Hungarian Empire - Croatia. The 10 minute retrospective will provide new insight into a country that we hear about in the news occasionally, but don’t really know.

So to learn more about WW1 from a more European perspective we recommend watching the wonderful videos from the Great War Channel on Youtube. The link is in the podcast notes or search for the great war on youtube.

Link:

https://www.youtube.com/user/TheGreatWar

Activities and Events

WW1 well represented during Memorial Day

We are going to open our story about memorial day with a quote about General Pershing from Sandra Pershing his granddaughter-in-law…  who quotes the general: [sandra quote audio from video]

General Pershing would have been proud - our American World War I veterans were well-remembered and well-honored this Memorial Day! …And that - thanks to the work of hundreds of volunteers across the entire country!

The U.S. National WW1 Centennial Events Register at ww1cc.org/events showed over 50 Memorial Day weekend events, exhibits, activities, and parades with a WW1 theme. They were shared by groups and individuals in Arkansas, California, North Carolina, Wisconsin, Tennessee, Ohio, Florida and so many more places.

You can read more about the many diverse events that took place on Memorial day at ww1cc.org/news and we encourage you to check out our events register, and to add your upcoming events to it, at ww1cc.org/events - Click on the big red button to put your WW1 related event into the national Register - which will become part of the permanent national archive of the centennial.

link:http://www.worldwar1centennial.org/index.php/communicate/press-media/wwi-centennial-news/2475-wwi-well-represented-on-memorial-day-2017.html

ww1cc.org/news

ww1cc.org/events

Next, it’s time for some updates from the states and this week we begin with TWO stories about New York!

WW1 beyond the trenches in NY Historical Society

Last week, and exhibit called: World War 1 Beyond the Trenches opened at the New York Historical Society in Manhattan. The exhibit had previously been at the Pennsylvania Academy of the FINE Arts running with great acclaim for several months under the name:  World War 1 and American Art.

Dr. Robin Jaffee Frank, has curated the show for its presentation at the NY Historical Society. There is another chance to hear Dr. Frank speak about the collection as she'll be giving a special gallery tour on June 26th to explore how artists across generations, aesthetic sensibilities, and the political spectrum used their art to depict, memorialize, promote, or oppose the Great War. It is truly an amazing collection - and a MUST SEE if you are going to be in NY between now and September 3rd.

link:

https://www.nyhistory.org/exhibitions/%E2%80%8Bw%E2%80%8Borld-war-i-beyond-trenches%E2%80%8B

Flagstaff Aglow

Now a story about Flagstaff - Not Arizona but still in New York… Near Madison Square Garden…

Three years ago the star atop the - Eternal Light Flagstaff - A WW1 memorial in Madison Square Park in Manhattan extinguished.

This past week, at the cost of $50,000 - and in time for Memorial Day… the eternal-lit-star shone brightly once again!

The flagpole is a monument to the Veterans of WW1 and to New York’s role in the war, a port city that a vast number of doughboys passed through -

on their way to and from Europe.

Interestingly - It’s also the location of the wreath-laying ceremony which commences New York’s nationally famous annual Veterans Day Parade – the largest in the country.

WW1 Centennial Commissioner Libby O’Connell was a speaker at the relighting ceremony along with representatives from

the United War Veterans Council,

the Madison Square Park Conservancy,

the Manhattan Borough President

and the New York City Park’s Manhattan Borough Commissioner.

Thank you NYC for honoring our Doughboy veterans!

link:https://www.nytimes.com/2017/05/24/nyregion/madison-square-park-memorial-day.html?_r=1

Indiana: Aaron R. Fisher

On the Indiana State Centennial Commission website at ww1cc.org/indiana, there is an article about Aaron R. Fisher, the mostly highly decorated African American soldier from Indiana to serve in WW1.

Fisher was the son of a Civil War veteran and was raised in Lyles Station, Indiana. He joined the army in 1911 way prior to the outbreak of the war  -- was promoted to Corporal in 1914 and served under Pershing during the Mexican Punitive Expedition that we talked about last week.  

He was promoted to Lieutenant during his service in WW1 and was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross from the U.S. government and the Croix de Guerre from the French government for the bravery and determination he displayed in battle, leading his troops to successfully repel a German raid despite his troops being outnumbered and himself being wounded.

Read more about his life - and service at ww1cc.org/indiana or by following the link in the podcast notes.

link: http://www.worldwar1centennial.org/index.php/indiana-in-wwi-stories/2391-aaron-r-fisher.html

ww1cc.org/indiana

Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania's nickname is "The Keystone State" because it was the middle colony of the original thirteen colonies, and because Pennsylvania has held a key position in the economic, social, and political development of the United States.

In 1917 it was also home to the Eddystone Munitions plant which produced shrapnel shells and other armaments for the war effort. But on April 10th, 1917, just days after America joined the war, it blew up! 139 people were killed when 18 tons of black powder ignited, setting off an explosion that could be felt for ten miles.

You can learn all about the Eddystone Munitions plant by visiting ww1cc.org/pennsylvania - all lower case.

They have many resources, links and articles there about Pennsylvania during the War including Eddystone, local stories from the era, and much more.

Link:ww1cc.org/pennsylvania

http://www.worldwar1centennial.org/images/Pennsylvania/EDDYSTONE_MUNITIONS_CO_illustrated2.pdf

http://www.delcotimes.com/article/DC/20170325/NEWS/170329777

National History Day

In our education section we have a follow up to last week’s introduction to National History day. This year’s theme “Taking a Stand in History”

With us today is the executive director of National History Day,  Dr. Cathy Gorn.

[Hi Cathy ]

[Cathy - Tell us a little about National History Day and how it evolved from a series of contests to a full-fledged, highly acclaimed national academic program.]

[And quite a successful organization to boot!  You mentioned that National History Day has a WW1 themed essay section… How was WW1 represented? How did it go? ]

Thank you - and your organization for making history bright, new and exciting for our kids - That was Dr. Cathy Gorn the executive director of National History Day, who joined the organization in 1982 - and helped shape it into what it is today - thank you for joining us.

link:https://www.nhd.org/

The First World War of Plates

This week in our International Report we return to France… This time not for Jazz but for plates.

Throughout WW1 both sides of the conflict used an unexpected commonplace object to shore up morale for the home front: decorative plates.

A recent article from French website Centenaire.org outlines the history of printed decorative plates and their use as bastions of patriotism during a grueling conflict. The images are compelling and the stories they tell are as well - a sort of patter in the platter.

Follow the links in the podcast notes to read more about these propagandistic domestic objects -

link:http://centenaire.org/fr/espace-scientifique/arts/la-grande-guerre-des-assiettes

Upcoming WW1 film

Now from New Zealand - A story about filmic recreation. The Victorian section of Oamaru, a city in New Zealand, was recently turned into war-torn France as a set for filming. The film will become part of an installation dedicated to the Anzac forces that will open in the new - Sir John Monash Media Centre, in France, due to be opened on Anzac Day in 2018. You can see footage from the recent shooting in Oamaru and learn more about the project by following the link in the podcast notes.

link:https://www.odt.co.nz/regions/north-otago/town-perfect-ww1-scenes

Gwinnett Braves Baseball recognizes doughboys

A quick update about WW1 Baseball -

As you may know - the singing of the national anthem at baseball games started as a tradition during WW1.

In a collaboration with Minor League baseball - a growing number of teams are holding WW1 Veteran events in their stadiums - this story shows how this is bringing awareness of “The War That Changed The world” - to local communities.

This past weekend a great article was published in the Gwinnett Daily Post - And for those who may not know - Gwinnett County is a lovely community in Georgia -

The article highlights the Gwinnett Braves game on Memorial Day that honored those who served in World War One. Take a read - to see how more communities are engaging in the national conversation on WW1. We’re looking forward to seeing more articles about these exciting Baseball games as they continue throughout the month of June. Follow the link the the podcast notes.

link:http://www.gwinnettdailypost.com/local/gwinnett-braves-recognizing-world-war-i-dough-boys-at-memorial/article_6dc8bef1-79b8-52a2-a9c7-0f003ba781a0.html

Interview with Donna Crisp

Next, we would like to welcome another guest who will introduce us to the National Society of Daughters of the American Revolution the NSDAR or more often simply referred to as the DAR.

Donna Crisp is the National Vice Chair of Commemorative Events for the 100th Anniversary of WWI and Treaty of Versailles for the DAR.

[Hi Donna - welcome]

[Donna -  That sounds like a really fantastic program - and it also sounds like you and Cathy Gorn should get together and have a chat!

[chuckle] Fantastic :)

Well thank you very much Donna - That was Donna Crisp - the National Vice Chair of Commemorative Events for the 100th Anniversary of WWI and Treaty of Versailles for the DAR. You can learn more by simply going to D-A-R.org -

link: DAR.org

In our Articles and Posts where we explore the World War One Centennial Commission’s rapidly growing website at ww1cc.org -

Howard Sabin

Let’s start with a story connected to America’s WW1 Memorial in Pershing park and an article by Sabin Howard - the sculpture for the giant bas-relief wall that is a central part of the design.

This week at ww1cc.org/news we have an interview with the sculptor, where he discusses how he created the design using live actors to model elements for him. Read the story at ww1cc.org/news or follow the link in the podcast notes.

link:http://www.worldwar1centennial.org/index.php/communicate/press-media/wwi-centennial-news/2476-four-questions-for-sabin-howard.html

ww1cc.org/news

Stories of Service

On ww1cc.org’s Stories of  Service - a section of the web site dedicated to capturing and preserving the stories of the people who served - this week we feature Ladli Prasada Varman. It again shows the immense diversity of those who served one hundred years ago - many of whom were recent immigrants.

Varman was such a man - who immigrated to the US in 1913 from east India, settling in Los Angeles.

When America entered the war, Varman was drafted into the army. In looking at the Stories of service posting, we noticed that his draft card listed him as caucasian. This is notable because of ongoing events at the time involving the East Indian American Community; a wave of arrests of Indian Nationalists and Germans took place in 1917. They were accused of violating the United States neutrality laws by conspiring on American soil with Germany to overthrow the British Raj. The conspiracy charges led to the Hindu–German Conspiracy Trial—at the time the longest and most expensive trial ever held in the United States. The story of this this Trial, as well as the lives of Indian Americans who served in WW1, is told on our site at ww1cc.org/vande

A few days after being drafted, Varman declared his allegiance to the United States of America in California. He went on to serve in the Army from June 1918 to January 1919 and was part of Battery D of the 144th Field Artillery in the 40th Division. Read more about his life and legacy at our Stories of Service page by following the link in the podcast notes.

To preserve your own family’s ww1 story in the national archive - we invite you to go to “submit a story of service” at ww1cc.org/stories - all lower case.

link:http://www.worldwar1centennial.org/index.php/commemorate/family-ties/stories-of-service/2336-ladli-prasada-l-p-varman.html

ww1cc.org/stories

ww1cc.org/vande

WWrite Blog

This Week on the WWrite blog: University of Kansas Department of Germanic Languages and Literatures Associate Professor, Lorie A. Vanchena, discusses - WWI American Immigrant Poetry: A Digital Humanities Project, an impressive and original project about WWI American poetry. The poems discussed are those written in response to World War I by immigrants in the United States and constitute a broad range of commentary on the war—for, against, and much more. Read more about the project by visiting the Wwrite blog at ww1cc.org/w-w-r-i-t-e

link:http://www.worldwar1centennial.org/index.php/articles-posts/2472-world-war-i-american-immigrant-poetry-a-digital-humanities-project.html

ww1cc.org/wwrite

That brings us to the buzz - the centennial of WW1 this week in social media with Katherine Akey - Katherine - what do you have for us this week?

Memorial Day events from around the country

We’ve been very busy over the weekend sharing posts on our Facebook page to highlight the many, many different commemorative events that took place this Memorial Day Weekend. If you go to our page and scroll through the timeline you’ll see videos, photos and articles from all across the country.

link:https://www.facebook.com/ww1centennial/

https://www.facebook.com/TheCherokeeNation/videos/1277989135660195/?hc_ref=PAGES_TIMELINE

https://www.facebook.com/theworldwar/photos/a.10150262914016241.369716.149455476240/10155306190851241/?type=3&hc_ref=PAGES_TIMELINE

https://www.facebook.com/ww1centennial/posts/782417271933573

https://www.facebook.com/RichardRubinAuthor/photos/a.264012127354201.1073741828.249364528818961/309000606188686/?type=3&hc_ref=PAGES_TIMELINE

WW1’s Harlem Hellfighters “Half Moan, Half Hallelujah”

More people across the country are are talking about WW1 and those who served. This week, the Daily Beast published an informative and moving piece about the Harlem Hellfighters and the black regiments of the war.

link:http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2017/05/29/the-harlem-hellfighters-who-cut-down-germans-and-gave-france-jazz?via=newsletter&source=DDAfternoon

The memorial that refuses to glorify war (by richard rubin!)

Penned by author Richard Rubin, “The WWI Memorial That Refuses to Glorify War” discusses a WW1 memorial sculpture Les Fantomes, or the Phantoms. It is, according to Rubin, the eeriest war memorial you will ever behold.

link:http://www.atlasobscura.com/articles/landowski-wwi-memorial-marne-statues

Thank you Katherine. A fascinating collection of what’s posted about WW1 in social media - All of Katherine’s stories have links in the podcast notes.

And That’s WW1 Centennial News for this week. Thank you for listening!

We want to thank our guests:

Mike Shuster from the Great War Project blog

Dr. Cathy Gorn, executive director of National History Day

Donna Crisp, National Vice Chair of Commemorative Events for the 100th     Anniversary of WWI for the DAR

Katherine Akey the Commission’s social media director and also the line producer for the show.

And I am Theo Mayer - your host.

The US World War One Centennial Commission was created by Congress to honor, commemorate and educate about WW1.

Our programs are to--

inspire a national conversation and awareness about WW1; This show is a part of that effort!

we are bringing the lessons of the 100 years ago into today's classrooms;

We are helping to restore WW1 memorials in communities of all sizes across our country;

and of course we are building America’s National WW1 Memorial in Washington DC.

We rely entirely on your donations. No government appropriations or taxes are being used, so please give what you can by going to ww1cc.org/donate - all lower case

Or if you are listening to the show on your smart phone you can text us a donation - just text  the letters: WW1 to the number 41444.

We want to thank commission’s founding sponsor the Pritzker Military Museum and Library for their support.

The podcast can be found on our website at ww1cc.org/cn  

on  iTunes and google play ww1 Centennial News. As of last week you can also find us on TuneIn.

Our twitter and instagram handles are both @ww1cc and we are on facebook @ww1centennial.

Thanks for joining us. And don’t forget to share what you are learning here about “The War that Changed the World”.

So long.

• Bulletin: Hear headlines and stories from the “Official Bulletin” |@ 02:15

Much more...

----more----

Welcome to World War One Centennial News. It’s about WW1 news 100 years ago this week  - and it’s about WW1 NOW - news and updates about the centennial and the commemoration.

We have gone back in time 100 years to May 18, 1917. Today is quite a day. It’s all Pomp and Circumstance as Wilson signs the Selective Service Act into law - ending the debate about an all volunteer army - Instead - it will be the combination volunteer and conscripted army.

Saturday May 19, 2017: Storyline: “Regulars will be First Troops Sent to France”:  

Joining us now is former NPR correspondent Mike Shuster from the Great War Project blog.  Mike - in the first few paragraph of your post, Historian Martin Gilbert also notes the arrival of the first base hospital unit sent to Europe - in secret by the war department as the first US military to arrive - BUT as your post makes really clear - Apparently their arrival is in the midst of a pretty dire situation for the French army - Tell us the story Mike:

[Mike Shuster]

If you’d like to watch interesting and informative videos about WW1- 100 years ago this week - check out the new posts from our friends at the Great War Channel on Youtube. This week their new episodes include:

1. The Ally From The Far East - Japan in World War 1
   

Follow the link in the podcast notes to the Great War Channel on Youtube.

We have moved forward into the present with WW1 Centennial News NOW  - News about the centennial and the commemoration.

At the WW1 Centennial Commission, the team is still buzzing about last week’s nod from the CFA -  on concept approval of America’s National WW1 Memorial in Washington DC.

Memorial Day

So what IS memorial day - besides a day off work in early summer and a lot of car sales. What does it means? Where did it came from?

Indiana: First Woman in Marine Corps

National History Day

Jazz in Brest

Here is the US, unfortunately our Department of Defense has ceases looking for our MIAs from World War 1.

Richard Rubin

That brings us to the buzz - the centennial of WW1 this week in social media with Katherine Akey - Katherine - what do you have for us this week?

That’s WW1 Centennial News for this week. Thank you for listening!

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