In the past few years we have read, heard and viewed quite a lot about the 369th Infantry Regiment, originally a New York National Guard Unit, which was the first non-regular army formation in France. These brave African Americans served under French command and amassed numerous honors. However at the time they might have been more well-known in France for their incredible band, which is credited with bringing jazz to Europe.
Kansas WW1
Commemorating the First World War Centennial in Kansas
Extracted (with editing for brevity) from the History of the 353rd ‘All Kansas’ Infantry Regiment 89th Division, National Army September 1917 – June 1919, by Capt. Charles F. Dienst and associates, published by the 353rd Infantry Society in 1921.
One hundred years ago today, on the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month, the world took a big sigh of relief as the First World War ended with an armistice between the Allies and Germany. After four world-changing years, what had become known as the “Great War” the “war to end all wars” was finally over. And so with some sadness but also a little relief, the Kansas WW1 Centennial Committee has chosen this centennial Armistice Day to officially bring its commemoration to a close with the Tolling of the Bells (event details) at the Kansas Museum of History.
Arvonia Church in Arvonia, KS welcomes the public to a family-friendly veterans day salute on Sunday, November 11, 2018. The event will begin at 11:00am with an Arvonia Church Worship Service followed by a Buffet Luncheon (no charge) at the Town Hall from 12:00-3:00pm. Check the flyer for more info!
Suresnes American Battle Monuments Commission (ABMC) Cemetery and Gallery is located in Suresnes, Haut-de-Seine, France, a suburb northwest of Paris, on the eastern slope of Mt. Valerien, offering a sweeping panoramic view of Paris from the cemetery’s chapel steps. This chapel was designed by the distinguished ‘American Renaissance’ architect Charles Platt of New York and the French landscape designer Jacques Gréber was employed to lay out the site plan and cemetery, which choice was unusual as Gen. John Pershing, head of the ABMC at the time, much preferred to use Americans for this work.
As previously posted, the Armistice Centennial inter-faith service in Washington, DC will be live-streamed on Sunday. Here’s a link to get the complete 36 page program.
The University of Nebraska football team will wear ‘throwback’ uniforms this Saturday in observance of the Centennial of the Armistice and the original dedication of Memorial Stadium in Lincoln. The jerseys bear the inscription in place of the player’s name:
One hundred years ago in Kansas, November 12-30:
November 18, 1918
The link below provides for an article in the magazine The Week, which gives a summary of World War I in a recent issue. Of interest is the last paragraph, which deals with the meaning of Armistice Day and some resistance to the idea of having it renamed Veterans Day.
(From the Eisenhower Library’s press release.)
Abilene, Kan. – On the 100th anniversary of the armistice, learn about World War I soldier poetry this Veterans Day at the Eisenhower Presidential Library, 200 SE 4th Street, Abilene. This will be the topic at a free public program on Sunday, November 11 at 2 p.m. in the Visitors Center Auditorium.
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