Although this is not a WFA event, our North American members may be interested to know that the long awaited First World War 60ft bas-relief memorial 'A Soldier's Journey' will for the first time be illuminated as part of a weekend of events running from Friday 13th September through to Sunday 15th in Washington DC.
A 'Soldier's Journey', 13 years in the making, will be the centre-piece of the National World War I Memorial in Pershing Park, Washington DC. It was cast in England, at the Pangolin Foundry in Stroud.
Registration is free > A Soldier's Journey: First Illumination.
The live-streamed ceremony is open to the public with a special public viewing area featuring a large screen at the adjacent Freedom Plaza, 1325 Pennsylvania Ave., NW. For UK viewers you should go online at 12.15am (a little after Midnight) on Friday 13th Online via stream available at www.ww1cc.org.
In addition to the unveiling of the new sculpture, which depicts five scenes and 38 larger-than-life-size human figures telling the story of the United States through the experience of a doughboy, the ceremony will also present performances by The United States Army Band 'Pershing's Own,' a bugle corps in WWI uniforms, and a candle-lighting to exemplify the Memorial's permanent illumination.
The First Illumination ceremony is the first event of the WWI Living History Weekend, which includes a full lineup of activities and performances at the memorial on Saturday, Sept. 14 and Sunday, Sept. 15.
Throughout the weekend, visitors can learn about the impact of World War I on the United States through captivating historical presentations by World War I re-enactors, including the famous Hello Girls, and view displays of authentic WWI vehicles by the National WWI Mobile Museum.
Click here if you are interested in the events of the WWI Living History Weekend.
Images provided by the National World War I Memorial
'The Bugler' courtesy of Attila Szalay-Berzeviczy