U.S. WORLD WAR I CENTENNIAL COMMISSION ANNOUNCES MAJOR CONTRIBUTIONS
CHICAGO -- The U.S. World War I Centennial Commission announced today
that three living former Presidents of the United States will serve as
honorary Chairs of the Commission. The Commission also announced a
major donation by the Pritzker Military Museum & Library in Chicago.
Former Presidents James Earl “Jimmy” Carter, George Herbert Walker
Bush, and George Walker Bush will lend their name to the centennial
commemoration, which will run through July 2019, honoring the
participation of the United States and its citizens in the war effort.
While there are no living veterans of World War I, President George H.W.
Bush offered the use of his name in honor of his father Prescott Bush
who served as a field artillery captain with the American Expeditionary
Forces (1917–1919) during World War I, where he came under fire in the
Meuse-Argonne offensive.
Commission Chair Robert J. Dalessandro, Col, USA (Ret.) also announced
today that the Commission has received a $5 million gift from the
Pritzker Military Museum & Library. Dalessandro said half of the gift
will be used to match other donations to the Commission. The gift will
fund partnership activities to include the publication of the official
U.S. World War I Centennial coffee table book, a number of television
programs, an exhibit, and development and distribution of a
commemorative coin.
Chair Dalessandro stated “The generosity of the Pritzker Military
Museum & Library will allow the Commission to further our efforts toward
honoring the men and women who served and sacrificed, both overseas and
on the home front, during the First World War. American’s first
modern _millennials, they bridged the Gilded Age and the Modern Era_
birthing both the ‘greatest Generation’ and the American Century
that followed.”
Museum & Library Founder and Chair, Jennifer Pritzker, concurred,
stating “As an institution dedicated to preserving and sharing the
history and heritage of the Citizen Soldier, the Pritzker Military
Museum & Library is proud to support the Centennial Commission in
similarly preserving and sharing the history of World War I, so that we
can learn lessons from the past to apply to the future.” Chair
Pritzker is a retired colonel of the Illinois Army National Guard, who
cites the World War I service of both her grandfathers as a more
personal reason for getting involved. “Through this partnership, we
will strive to give the centennial the recognition it deserves by
producing a new book, unveiling a new exhibit, and hosting a wide range
of programs with some of the foremost experts on the subject."
ABOUT THE U.S. WORLD WAR I CENTENNIAL COMMISSION:
The Commission was established by the World War I Centennial Commission
Act, Public Law 112-272 passed by the 112th Congress and signed by
President Obama on January 16, 2013. The Commission is responsible for
planning, developing, and executing programs, projects, and activities
to commemorate the centennial of World War I; encouraging private
organizations and State and local governments to organize and
participate in activities commemorating the centennial of World War I;
facilitating and coordinating activities throughout the United States
relating to the centennial of World War I; serving as a clearinghouse
for the collection and dissemination of information about events and
plans for the centennial of World War I; and developing recommendations
for Congress and the President for commemorating the centennial of World
War I. The Commissioners serve without pay, and no appropriated
Federal funds may be used for any of the Commission's activities or
expenses.
ABOUT THE PRITZKER MILITARY MUSEUM & LIBRARY:
The Pritzker Military Museum & Library is open to the public and
features an extensive collection of books, artifacts, and rotating
exhibits covering many eras and branches of the military. Since
opening in 2003, it has become a center where citizens and Citizen
Soldiers come together to learn about military history and the role of
the Armed Forces in today’s society. The Museum & Library is a
non-partisan, non-government information center supported by its members
and donors
CONTACTS:
World War One Centennial Commission:
Chris Isleib, Director of Communication at 301-641-4060 or
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Pritzker Military Museum & Library: Megan Williams, Director of
External Affairs at 312-374-9333 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
