WW1 Centennial News

Highlights History: Pershing’s 4th of July 1917 |@ 01:30 History: Race riots in East St. Louis |@ 03:45 Feature: US Official Bulletin - Logistics |@ 06 :00 Guest: Joe Johnson, Logistics Expert: Defense Acquisition University |@ 10:30 Guest: Mike Shuster, Espionage Act attack on bill of rights |@ 15:50 News: President Donald Trump heading to Paris for WW1 Franco/US commemoration parade |@ 20:30 Event: Commissioner O’Connell “Feeding The Fight” with WWI culinary event in NYC |@ 22:00 Guest: Ellouise Schoettler “Ready to Serve” - one woman show about WWI Nurses |@ 23:15 States: Texas exhibit: “From Cowboy to Doughboy” & Jim Hodgson article |@ 29:15 International: London mail tunnels reopen as museum attraction |@ 30:10 Feature: 16-year-old teenage girl flies 100-year-old Jenny |@ 31:20 WWrite Blog: New post flips on convention with writer exploring redeeming qualities of combat violence!? |@ 34:00 And more…. Opening Welcome to World War 1 centennial News - It’s about WW1 news 100 years ago this week  - and it’s about WW1 News 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 July 5th, 2017 and I’m Theo Mayer - Chief Technologist for the World War One Centennial Commission and your host. Correction First, a quick correction from last week’s episode #26. In support of our article on Harley Davidson in World War 1, we posted a picture of a line of tough looking soldiers, goggles over their eyes, weapons places on thighs, and gas masks at the ready. It’s a great picture - BUT….. It turns out that this image was not actually -  from WW1 but a bit later. So…  we have replaced that image at ww1cc.org/cn with an equally interesting photo of a Harley - This time definitely from WW1 - and this bad boy is fully equipped with a machine gunner side-car. World War One THEN 100 Year Ago This Week [sound transition] We have moved back in time 100 years ago. It is the morning of July 4th 1917. At his residence in Paris, General John J. Pershing comes to his window as he hears the musical peals of the “Star Spangled Banner”. The music being played outside by the 4th mounted band of the French Republican Guard having arrived at the residence with a large crowd of people to honor the General and the members of the 2nd battalion, 16th infantry who had just arrived in Paris from Saint Nazaire the previous day. At a critical time during America’s Revolutionary War against Britain, the French had come to the aid of the United States, and today on the 4th of July, 1917, the French citizens of Paris are showing their gratitude and respect for the alliance renewed and the favor returned. Pershing, with soldiers from the 16th Infantry, begin a full day of events.  This includes the descendants of French officers of the American Revolution who present their banners to Pershing. The symbol of Franco-American friendship is not lost on Pershing. He notes that Napoleon declared days of national mourning after the death of George Washington. Pershing will recall this event warmly in his memoire.  Quote “No other occasion that I recall was more significant or more clearly indicated the depth of French sentiment and affection for their old ally.” Afterwards, the American and French battalions and a military band march to the Cemetiere de Picpus to visit the grave of the Marquis de Lafayette, a French hero of the American Revolution. On the route, hundreds of thousands throng the parade, giving particular attention

Highlights Help: 4th of july donation appeal video | @00:00 Feature: The Red Cross we know today | @01:45 Guest: Mike Shuster - The anti-war resistance “over there” | @11:00 War In The Sky: Louis Bennet | @15:30 Guests: Richard Rubin & Jonathan Bratten - General Robert Nivelle | @19:00 Feature: Keith Colley’s Mobile WW1 Museum | @26:15 Guest: Jerry Meyer bringing back Chautauqua | @27 :45 International: Many events in France last week | @33:00 And much more… Please Help Hi listeners Before we get going today, I wanted to let you know about this special 4th of July thing we are doing - and that you can help with. As you know, we are totally donation supported, and so for the fourth of July, we got some friends to help us with a donation appeal video. Ambassador and former Senator Carol Mosely Braun, Secretary Leon Panneta, Google’s Vint Cert and General Barry McCaffrey are all in this 20 second video which we posted on our Facebook page. And here is how you can help us. We’re on Facebook at ww1centennial - so go to Facebook.com/ww1Centennial - the video is the first post - and  share the video with your friends and let them know we need their help to build America’s WW1 Memorial in Washington, DC. So far the video has shared over 130 times - and each time it is shared we get a few more new donations. So if YOU can - please make a small gift to our WW1 Doughboys and even if you can’t - please share the video on your social media. It’s really about our remembering the war that changed the world. WW1 THEN - News From 100 Years Ago Looking back at WW1 100 years ago this week  - we are going to follow just ONE of the many amazing stories This week we are following the story of the RED CROSS. The American Red Cross or ARC was Founded by Clara Barton in May of 1881, earning a historic role for serving people in need. When Europe was thrown into conflict in June 1914, the American Red Cross was a small organization still in the process of developing its identity and programs.   In large part the American Red Cross we know today was forged by the “War The Changed the World” when the organization suddenly found itself deeply embroiled in the incredible upheaval, growth and expansion that was America’s war effort. The transformation began as we declared war in April of 2017. At that crucial time, and as with so many other things, Red Cross headquarters was reeling under the sudden projected demands on it  - so in May of 2017, President Wilson appointed Henry P. Davidson - A successful New York banker to head a “War Council”,  which was to direct the Red Cross. YUP - It looks pretty much like a US war effort takeover. So by the end of June - 100 years ago this week - Having just knocked it out of the park with the Liberty Bonds drive - the US government turned its sights on successfully wrapping up $100 Million fund drive from private donations on behalf of the Red Cross. Think about it - that is over $2 billion in 2017 being raised for a private organization with the direct support of the US federal government. Here is what it looked like 100 years ago this week in the pages of the Official Bulletin - the Government War Gazette headed by George Creel - America’s propaganda chief for President Woodrow Wilson. Dateline: June 25th, 1917 Headline: BELIEVE THE $100,000,000 RED CROSS FUND WILL BE RAISED A thousand American cities were striving today to boost the big Red Cross war fund to an even $100,000,000. With returns well over the three-quarters mark this afternoon, the War Council officers were confident that by the close of the day the Red Cross war fund would be In hand.” On the same day... [sound ef

Highlights: Introduction: Espionage and Sedition Acts | @00:45 Guest: Mike Shuster “Where Are The Americans?” | @02:15 Feature: Going big on the air war | @06:45 War In the Sky: the “Flying Circus” | @10:15 Feature: The StoryTeller & The Historian - Americans arrive | @12:45 Commission: Memorial restoration matching grant deadline extension | @18:45 Guest: Courtland Jindra - Victory Memorial Grove project profile | @19:50 Q? Who said: “Lafayette We Are Here!” | @27:00 Feature: National History Day prize winners | @28:40 Media: Cylinder recording archive | @32:30 Media: Wonder Woman - Again? | @34:30 Honors: Capt. James Miller - Distinguished flying cross 99 years after | @35:45 Q? What is the Ghost Fleet? | @36:30 Social Media: The 11 soldier sons of Ike Sims3 | @39:30 And much more… Opening 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 21st, 2017 and I’m Theo Mayer - Chief Technologist for the World War One Centennial Commission and your host. World War One THEN 100 Year Ago This Week [sound transition] We have gone back in time 100 years and in mid June 1917 one of the key events here in the United States is the passing of the “Espionage Act”. The law makes it a crime for any person to convey information intended to interfere with the U.S. armed forces’ prosecution of the war effort. The convicted spy is subject to a fine of $10,000 - that is the equivalent of 200,000 in 2017 dollars,  plus a prison sentence of up to 20 years. And within a year, the pendulum swings ever further into autocracy as the espionage act is reinforced by the Sedition act of 1918. It imposed similarly harsh penalties on anyone found guilty of insulting or abusing the U.S. government, the flag, the Constitution or the military; agitating against the production of necessary war materials; or advocating, teaching or just defending any of these acts. Both pieces of legislation are aimed at socialists, pacifists and other anti-war activists and are used to punishing effect in the early years and those immediately following the war - It is a chilling attack on the first amendment - that seems incredibly strong and even excessive in today’s terms. We will be following this story and it’s consequences over the coming months. links about the Espionage act are in the podcast notes: link:https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Espionage_Act_of_1917 http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/u-s-congress-passes-espionage-act http://www.firstworldwar.com/source/espionageact.htm http://today-in-wwi.tumblr.com/post/161878079908/espionage-act-passed-emma-goldman-arrested Great War Project Looking over at Europe - we have a running theme for this week, 100 years ago… A theme that is very well set up by our first guest this week We are joined by Mike shuster, former NPR correspondent and curator for the Great War Project blog.  Mike - “Where ARE the Americans?” LINK:http://g

Highlights 100 Year Ago: Flag Day 1917 like no other |@ 00:45 100 Year Ago: First Liberty Bond drive big success |@ 02:30 Guest: Mike Shuster - Pershing Arrives in Europe |@ 09:15 Guests: Eileen Dumont & Paul Callens on Ralph Talbot |@ 13:00 Feature: The Storyteller and The Historian: on the selective service |@  19:00 PTSD Month: Charles Whittlesey’s Suicide |@ 26:45 Education: Edu-Newsletter “Animals at War” comes out |@ 28:30 Feature: The Violin of Private Howard |@ 32:15 Media: Wonder Woman - Three theories on why it’s set in WW1 |@ 34:00 Instagram: Pershing Pic hit on social media |@ 39:00 And much more…. Opening 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. World War One THEN 100 Year Ago This Week 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/ Official Bulletin 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

Highlights Official Bulletin: Ships, planes, wood, film, and phones |@ 03:00 Guest: Mike Shuster on the big explosion on the Messine Ridge. |@ 10:00 The Storyteller & The Historian: George Cohan’s “Over There” turn 100 |@ 14 :00 Events: Virginia WW1 Reenactment Day |@ 20:30 Special: PTSD awareness month |@ 21:30 Guest - 100C/100M: Dr. Steve Kelly on Brownwood texas Post 196 project |@ 28:00 Guest: Roy Steinberg on the play “Billy Bishop Goes To War”|@ 33:30 And much more... Opening 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. World War One THEN 100 Year Ago This Week 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 Official Bulletin 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 t

Highlights Official Bulletin: War bonds, fake news, prostitutes, shoes, trucks and draft dodgers |@ 01:00 Guest: Mike Shuster on the low enthusiasm, Creel, 4 minutes men and arrests for disagreeing with the government. |@ 07:15 War In The Sky: Profile Raynal Bolling |@ 11:00 Events: Memorial day retrospective |@ 14:00 States: NY “Beyond The Trenches”, Eternal Light - relit, IN - Aaron Fisher, PA - Big boom at Eddystone |@ 15:15 Guest: Dr. Cathy Gorn - executive director of National History Day |@ 19:00 Guest: Donna Crisp National Vice Chair of Commemorative Events for the 100th Anniversary of WWI for the DAR. |@ 25:15 And more... Opening 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. World War One THEN 100 Year Ago This Week 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 Bulletin 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 Secretary Of Commerce Urges Every Employee To Purchase Liberty Loan Bond Navy Called Upon To Get Behind The Liberty Loan Liberty Loan Success Vital. Farmers And Liberty Loan. Subscribers Can Pay For Liberty Loan Bonds Now Buying A Liberty Bond Is - The Least Sacrifice Americans Must Make, Says George Norris 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 re

Highlights: Bulletin: Hear headlines and stories from the “Official Bulletin” |@ 02:15 Guest: Mike Shuster on the mutinies in France |@ 06:15 America’s WW1 Memorial: what CFA approval means from Edwin Fountain |@ 10:35 Memorial Day: History, significance, observance and links to activities |@ 12:00 States: Indiana article on Opha May Johnson, Alabama on National League for Woman’s Service |@ 14:30 Education: National History Day |@ 16:15 Media Spotlight: Robert Laplander / Doughboy MIA in the news |@ 19:00 Guest: Richard Rubin on his new book: “Back Over There” |@ 20:45 Guests: John Brancy and Peter Dugan on their WW1 music album |@ 25:30 Much more... WW1 Centennial News - Weekly Podcast World War One Centennial News: May 24, 2017 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 17th, 2017 and I’m Theo Mayer - Chief Technologist for the World War One Centennial Commission and your host. World War One THEN 100 Year Ago This Week 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. All men between the ages of 21 and 30 will have to register for the draft by June 5th.   There is still a big question about who is going to head the huge new army… Wilson also answers that question today. It’s a big fat NO to Roosevelt’s plan to raise a division of volunteer troops - which, of course, HE would lead to Europe. This really ticks him off! Some think that he probably misses the glory days of the “Rough Riders” pounding it out in Cuba. It’s also a NO to General Leonard Wood the former US Army Chief of staff. Apparently, Wilson thinks he has too many ties to the opposition Republican Party. Instead, today’s second big announcement by president Woodrow Wilson is the appointment of General John J. Pershing to head the US Army’s Expeditionary Force. Pershing - is politically non-partisan. He is publicly popular - as the former commander of what is known as the “Punitive Expedition” sent out to spank Mexico’s Pancho Villa for sneaking up north and attacking the town of Columbus, in New Mexico. May 18th is a big day on the hill. What else is going on this week in 1917? For interesting details, let’s look at the Official Bulletin. Here are some of the stories running in America’s official war gazette.   The Bulletin Saturday May 19, 2017: Storyline: “Regulars will be First Troops Sent to France”:   President Announces in Statement Issued After Signing the Selective Conscription Bill Also Saturday May 19: Storyline: US ARMY UNIT ARRIVES IN BRITAIN The first unit of the United States Army is now on foreign soil. Yesterday marks the arrival In England of Ruse Hospital No. 4, of Cleveland, Ohio, under command of MaJ. Harry L. Gilchrist, of the Medical Corps of the United States Army, This Is the first of six army base hospitals which have been ordered abroad - for service In France. Monday May 21: Storyline, REGIMENT OF U. S. MARINES IN THE EXPEDITION TO FRANCE Secretary of the Navy Daniels announces that a regiment of US Marines (2,600 men) will accompany the first expedition to France. The regiment will be commanded by Col. Charles A. Doyen : Quote "In being among the first on the firing line In France, the marines will be upholding thei

Highlights: New Feature: Now publishing the 1917 Official Bulletin daily at ww1cc.org/bulletin | @ 00:45 History: “You want to send American troops to FRANCE!?!” | @ 05:00 Big News: National WW1 Memorial gets nod and OK from CFA | @ 11:30 Helping out: Peer-to-peer fundraising video for Memorial day | @ 12:30 Sports: Randy Mobley - President of the International League | @ 15:00 Education: St. Mary’s University, Texas students making WW1 Mini Docs | @ 22:15 Theater: New WW1 play in Los Angeles | @ 24:15 Television: Nat Geo TV WW1 Special to air Memorial Day weekend | @ 25:00 Music: 369th experience | @ 25:45 Much more... WW1 Centennial News - Weekly Podcast World War One Centennial News: May 10, 2017 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 17th, 2017 and I’m Theo Mayer - Chief Technologist for the World War One Centennial Commission and your host. World War One THEN 100 Year Ago This Week We have gone back in time 100 years - and the united states government launches the “The Official Bulletin” the country’s war information newspaper. It is published daily under order of the - President of the United States - published - by the Committee on Public Information, George Creel - Chairman We have introduced you to George Creel previously. Creel is a journalist, friend and staunch supporter of Woodrow Wilson - especially during the election of 1916. So it’s not surprising that President Wilson appoints Creel to head the newly minted Committee on Public Information - the CPI - as a part of the new war effort. The CPI’s mission is to swing public sentiment and backing in favor of the U.S. war effort. Effectively George Creel is the head of America's propaganda and war information bureau. This includes all aspects of the U.S. media, including print, film, posters, music, paintings, cartoons… everything. One of the key products of the CPI is the Official Bulletin, largely forgotten and gone unnoticed - in the century since. Starting this week, We are re-publishing each issue of this daily historically newspaper on the centennial date of its release. This archive is a wonderful cultural resource that illuminates this dynamic period in our country’s history. Fortunately, the entire archive has been digitized by Google Books and we are very excited to bring it to you as a daily serial on our web site - at ww1cc.org/bulletin - all lower case. The editorial team at WW1 Centennial News is going over the 120 or so weekly articles, bringing you some of the interesting headlines and digging into a story or two. This week, some of the headlines read: “Urgent need of ships for coastal defense is outlined” This article includes the interesting note: A number of the finest yachts in the country have been tendered to the Government by the owners for use during the war, either free or on a nominal lease basis” In the article - the Assistant Secretary of the Navy writes - “We need coastal defenses. The present war is showing that the submarine is a weapon that has an important bearing on the final result.” That astute assistant secretary of the navy in 1917 will become the 32nd President of the United States in 1933 - Franklin Delano Roosevelt. Another headline reads - MISSION TO RUSSIA. The Department of State authorizes the members of the special diplomatic mission of the United States of America to Russia - our close allies during this war. REGISTRATION DISTINCT FROM THE DRAFT,

Highlights: Feature: Mothers in WW1 | @ 00:45 Guest: Mike Shuster on poetry in the trenches | @ 06:30 War In The Sky: Colonel Rene Fonck | @ 10:15 Recipe: The Monkey Gland | @ 13:05 Guest: Nathan King on new National Park Service WW1 web site | @ 14:00 International: Albert Ball new journal released | @ 20:00 Media: Gordon Thomas Ward new single - “The Boys of 17” | @  21:30 Web: New WW1 Promotion Tool Kit at ww1cc.org/promotion | @ 25:00 World War One Centennial News: May 10, 2017 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 3rd, 2017 and I’m Theo Mayer - Chief Technologist for the World War One Centennial Commission and your host today. World War One THEN 100 Year Ago This Week We have gone back in time 100 years. It is 1917 and we are coming up on Mother’s day. Mothers always play a special and difficult role in war and WW1 is certainly no exception - let’s take take a look. The motherhood image plays a key role in America’s recruitment campaigns - The war propaganda artists use mother figures to remind young men of their duty to their country and family, and to assure them of how proud their mothers and wives will be when they become soldiers. One notable poster shows a mother and a wife embracing a newly minted recruit with the slogan: ‘They are proud of you. Be of proud of yourself!” Another shows a mother inviting a reluctant young man forward with the slogan: GO. It’s your duty lad! Join today. Mothers are the homefront resource managers - They are fundraisers for the war effort promoting war bonds, and raising money with bake sales and raffles, all the while - they conserve -  they keep the family home and life going - under sharp rationing of essential goods - and they are filling in all sorts of places - as American men take up soldiering. Mothers are the healers as they nurse the wounded. A  world war 1 red cross propaganda poster shows a caring nurse with the slogan - “The Greatest Mother in the world”. They are  also healers in another way. The devastating loss of life in World War I leaves many mothers with the heartbreaking task of mourning and memorializing their dead. One of the memorial symbols is the Gold Star. Families are hanging popular  “Man-in-Service” flags in their windows - red, white and a blue star -  mourning mothers cover that  blue star with gold fabric, symbolizing their loss. Women are encouraged to forgo traditional mourning garb in favor of a simpler black armband with a gold star. Woodrow Wilson refers to these women as the gold star mothers. Moving forward 10 years to 1928, the organization American Gold Star Mothers is founded. To this day, mothers - who have lost a child in military service - wear - a gold star pin to honor the deceased. Moving forward to the present, we addressed the difficult conflict of motherhood in war during the commission’s April 6 commemoration event “in Sacrifice for Liberty and Peace” with a medley sung in counterpoint . Here is Chrissy Poland with “America, Here’s My Boy” and Ramona Dunlap with  “I Didn’t Raise My Boy To Be A Soldier”. [music] To mothers of soldiers everywhere - we salute you and thank you for bearing your gold star burden. Great War Project Joining us now is former NPR correspondent Mike Shuster from the Great War Project blog. This week Mike is going to cover a very thoughtful post from the great war project blog about

Highlights: 1917 - US makes $200,000,000 loan to UK | @ 01:20 Guest - Michael Lombardi: Profile of William Boeing as an entrepreneur and visionary | @ 07:15 Events - WW1 gets into the swing of baseball games | @ 12:30 Guest - Jordan Beck: Sgt. Stubby the animated film profile and update | @ 15:30 International - ABMC sponsors WW1 education program with American School in Paris | @ 21:00 Web - Vande Mataram site launches on ww1cc.org | @ 21:45 Social Media - moss is mostly good | @ 26:00 WW1 Centennial News - Weekly Podcast April 26, 2017 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 3rd, 2017 and I’m Theo Mayer - Chief Technologist for the World War One Centennial Commission and your host today. World War One THEN 100 Year Ago This Week Although America can’t immediately field a giant fighting force and ship it to the Western Front - the US government is going “all in” in other ways. No longer limited under a declaration of war, the US Navy gets busy and sends destroyers across the Atlantic to engage German U-boats, which are ravaging allied shipping. Remember, the US Navy has been a force to be reckoned with for a hundred years - ever since it distinguished itself during the War of 1812 - a war, incidentally, AGAINST the British not for them. Meanwhile, we not only have an effective Navy but we also have money. Unlike our European allies and foes, we haven’t  depleted our economy through years of war - so,  President Wilson’s Treasury Secretary, William McAdoo puts together a ginormous loan for the Bank of England. He hands them a check for $200 million dollars - the equivalent of 4 billion today.. That is the largest single check the US Treasury had ever written. But we Americans are a pragmatic lot. This is - of course - not a gift. It’s a loan. And - as has become typical with a lot of US international governmental dealings - to this very day - the money is only to be used to pay American companies for products and services on behalf of the UK’s war efforts. So it’s a loan to our allie - to be paid back - and to be used to purchase American goods from US suppliers. War has always been good for business. One more interesting note… and yet another amazing parallel in history. Mr. McAdoo -  our secretary of the treasury - also happens to be President Wilson’s son-in-law. Family in the cabinet is a long standing tradition! Meanwhile, on the western front in Europe things are near disastrous. The mutinies among the French troops are expanding. For example, the 2nd battalion of the 18th french regimen suffered two thirds casualties in the Nivelle offensive around April 16th. Just 10 days later, the general command sends in a new crop of officers, the original ones having been killed 10 days earlier.  The men are ordered back to the front. This does not go down well - and Instead of heading for the front, the troops ransack the local stores of wine and get soused - shouting - “Down With The War”. They clearly have had enough. This was unfortunately not an isolated incident. On the same day in the Champagne region, two hundred men fled into the woods rather than report back to the front. Link: http://today-in-wwi.tumblr.com/post/160002079918/first-us-war-loan-to-britain http://today-in-wwi.tumblr.com/post/160108119108/us-co

Highlights 1917 - It turned into the world’s largest aerospace company, Boeing @ 6:57 Events - Colleges & Universities commemorate @ 9:15 Events - Virginia International Tattoo @ 10:15 Interview - Randal Dietrich WWI Specialist from the Minnesota Historical Society @ 11:00 International - Anzac Day, what is it and what does it commemorate @ 16:30 WWrite Blog - Ernest Luke McClees on WWI-era propaganda @ 18:30 The Buzz - WW1 explained as a bar fight - social media meme @ 19:45 World War One Centennial News: April 26, 2017 Opening 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 April 26th, 2017 and I’m Theo Mayer - Chief Technologist for the World War One Centennial Commission and your host today. World War One THEN 100 Year Ago This Week America has declared war and we now face the reality - that we actually doesn't have an army. It’s true. It’s 1917, the US federal army is just barely over 120,000 men.  In fact, the combined STATE militias totally outnumber the federal military with over 180,000 men. Remember - this is only 1 generation after the civil war - - America is a UNION of separate states - the UNITED STATES of AMERICA -  and the power of the Federal Government is relatively weak. Our military thinkers estimate that we need a national army of at least a million soldiers - President Wilson thinks that he can do it with volunteers - but… six weeks after the declaration of war… it is going to turn out that we only have 73,000 new volunteers. This is not gonna work. So 100 years ago this week, President Wilson grabs his newspaper buddy - George Creel - Remember him from last week - our official war propagandist - and they head over to congress to let them know we are going to need a draft… So here comes the selective service act of 1917…   and Wilson will get it… in less than a month - stand by! And our final US domestic note for this week 100 years ago may be just a little less dramatic for the average joe - but it is duly noted that the prestigious New York Yacht Club drops Kaiser Wilhelm and his brother Prince Heinrich of Prussia as members. YOU’RE OUTA HERE…. Link: https://www.facebook.com/TheGreatWar191418/posts/1030785807053670:0 https://www.defense.gov/News/Article/Article/1134509/world-war-i-building-the-american-military/ Great War Project Joining us to tell us what is happening on the fighting fronts rather than here in the US is former NPR correspondent Mike Shuster from the Great War Project blog.   Mike -- It’s not going well for the Allies. France, in particular is pushing into a new offensive - led by French General Robert Nivelle. He comes up way short on gain --- and way long on losses at a disastrous level.  He loses 700% more men than anticipated.. He faces mutiny.. While his british allies hesitate to jump into this horrific meat grinder - and they - the brits - are getting nowhere in Gaza in the middle east. Tell us about it Mike. LINK: http://greatwarproject.org/2017/04/21/for-the-allies-a-bloody-spring/ That’s Mike Shuster from the Great War Project blog. War in the Sky That’s

Highlights 1917 - President Wilson sets up Public Information Office to sell war to America | @ 00:45 Event - In Flanders Field event in Washington DC this month | @ 08:30 States - California website goes live | @ 10:35 Article - US Coast Guard in WW1 interview | @ 12:50 WWrite Blog - Post by James Moad | @ 14:10 Media - Special magazine pubs for Time and The Atlantic | @ 14:45 Much more... WW1 Centennial News - Weekly Podcast World War One Centennial News: April 19, 2017 Opening 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 April 19th, 2017 and I’m Theo Mayer - Chief Technologist for the World War One Centennial Commission and your host today. World War One THEN 100 Year Ago This Week The war with Germany is approved by a wide margin in Congress. But it is still unclear, how much support it has among the American people. So - On April 13, by executive order, President Wilson creates the Committee on Public Information. This new, powerful committee is headed by a guy named George Creel, a newspaperman who is a long-standing ally of Wilson’s - ya gotta love history!!! The committee also has representatives from the State, War, and Navy departments. Their mission is to write news items, create pamphlets and posters and even publish their own newspaper. They send out 75,000 speakers across the country to promote the war effort. Put bluntly, the government fires up a propaganda ministry to support the war agenda. Check out the full story and see what the new - 1917 committee on public information is all about! Link: http://today-in-wwi.tumblr.com/post/159546485618/wilson-creates-committee-on-public-information Great War Project Looking at what is going on in Europe, we are bringing in Mike shuster, former NPR correspondent and curator of the great war project blog. So Mike - things worked well - originally - for the Canadians and the Brits in the Vimy Ridge campaign, but new fighting tactics and new tank technologies fail, and a lot of good men lose their lives for very little gain as things go on - Tell us the story please. LINK: www.greatwarproject.org/ War in the Sky It is the middle of Bloody April - in great war in the sky 100 years ago this week. I have found it interesting and perhaps a bit disturbing that the language about these these early days of aviation sometimes sound like some sort of sports adventure game, ---- but the life and death struggles in the sky were very real. Though the references may speak of scoring wins, these are, in fact, duels to the death. The charisma of these escapades are fully exploited by the propaganda machines of each side, using the technology of aviation to crown new champions, aces and heroes. In one such reference, on April 11,  2017 Baron Von Richthoven scores and is lauded for his 41st “Kill" surpassing his mentor - Boelke's  record of 40. On April 16th, French General Nivelle launches a major offensive south of the Somme, --called the battle of the Aisne - which is stopped by the germans. In an attempt to assist, Britain’s Royal Flying Corps cranks up a really high sortie rate, resulting in very high losses ---- meanwhile on the ground,  the extreme high French troop casualties bring on a French Army mutiny. This is a war weary time

Highlights Note - WW1 Centennial News changes format to Audio Podcast - notes Interview - Kevin Fitzpatrick on NY Harbor seizures of German ships | @ 01:20 Song - "If He Can Fight Like He Can Love" | @ 07:00 Interview - Chris Christopher on April 6 Commemoration Ceremony in KC | @ 08:15 Interview - Jim Corridan, the Indiana WWI Centennial Committee Chair | @ 14:15 100C/100M - 9 weeks left to submit a matching grant application | @ 17:33 WWrite blog - Tsingtao - more than a tasty Chinese beer | @ 19:25 Media - PBS The Great War series now out | @ 20:00 Much more... Get links below - Watch the podcast above WW1 Centennial News - Weekly Video Podcast World War One Centennial News: April 12, 2017 Open 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 April 12th, 2017 and I’m Theo Mayer - Chief Technologist for the World War One Centennial Commission and your host today. A couple of months after launch, and listening to our subscribers, WW1 Centennial News is changing format to an audio podcast rather than a video podcast. There are a number of reason, but the most compelling from our subscribers was that: They listen to the show while driving, working out or doing other things Many people resist subscribing to video podcasts because they use up too much precious space on their mobile device. So by going audio, we only take up 30-40Mb rather than 500-600Mb. Even if you are not technical it’s easy to compare the numbers. If you have any thoughts on this please contact us at ww1cc.org/contact. World War One THEN 100 Year Ago This Week The U.S Seizes German Ship As the US declares war, the government scrambles to raise funds and stockpile the necessary equipment needed to join the allied effort overseas. On April 14th the headlines from the Sausalito News reads: German Ships in US Ports Seized. America’s war against Germany started on the homefront with the seizure of twenty seven ships in New York and four in San Francisco harbor. These ships will be used to transport our doughboys to Europe. The seizures didn’t stop there. Through a campaign aimed to fight against “enemy alien” civilians, the US would seize over half a billion dollars in private property from German immigrants. These funds made up most of the funds in the country’s prewar budget. Links: https://cdnc.ucr.edu/cgi-bin/cdnc?a=d&d=SN19170414.2.72 http://www.smithsonianmag.com/history/us-confiscated-half-billion-dollars-private-property-during-wwi-180952144/ Some weeks ago, I spoke with Kevin Fitzpatrick about his memorial restoration project on New York’s Governors Island - and he mentions these actions. Here is what he has to say: [Kevin Fitzpatrick] Great War Project Last week, Mike Shuster from the Great War Project brought us up April 5th - the day before the US entrance into the war. This week, we take a look to the turmoil brewing in Russia. Mike, we look forward to your post. [Mike Shuster] LINK: www.greatwarproject.org/ Thank you Mike Shuster former NPR correspondent and the curator of Great War Project blog. The Great War Channel For weekly video on WW1 - there is The Great War channel on YouTu

WW1 Centennial News for Wednesday April 5, 2017 Highlights WW1 Then - Heading into "Bloody April" in the Great War In The Sky | 06:00 Guest - Ed Bilous Artistic Director for "In Sacrifice for Liberty and Peace" Kansas City event | 09:00 News - Indiana and Florida WW1 sites goes live at ww1cc.org/indiana and ww1cc.org/florida | 16:10 News - National focus by major media on WW1 rises as we approach April 6, 2017 | 18:45 WWrite blog - Gulf War veteran Seth Brady Tucker explains the influence of WWI poetry on his own writing | 19:55 Much more... Get links below - Watch the podcast above WW1 Centennial News - Weekly Video Podcast World War One Centennial News: April 5, 2017 Opening 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 April 5th, 2017 and I’m Theo Mayer - Chief Technologist for the World War One Centennial Commission and your host today. Tomorrow, April 6th, marks the centenary of our nation’s entrance into first global conflict of the modern era, World War One. Thank you to all of our listeners out there - who have been with us on this amazing journey coming up to this pivotal moment. And if you thought the run up was dramatic - you will be amazed at what happens to our nation, our culture, our politics, our technology and our position in the world over the coming months. World War One THEN 100 Year Ago This Week The headline reads - Danish Virgin Islands transfer to the United States. The Americans were concerned that the Germans might seize Denmark’s colonies, giving them a submarine base in the Caribbean. To prevent this, the United States and Denmark signed a treaty in 1916 to buy the islands for $25 million.  Denmark ratified the treaty in December - after a national referendum - which approved the measure by nearly two-to-one.   The Danish flag was lowered over the Virgin Islands two days before Wilson was expected to ask Congress for a declaration of war on Germany 100 years ago this week. Link: http://today-in-wwi.tumblr.com/post/159046372293/danish-virgin-islands-transferred-to-united-states Great War Project Joining us next is former NPR correspondent Mike Shuster from the Great War Project.  Mike - thanks for sending me the post…   Your story on the Great War Project takes us all the way up to TODAY April 5th 100 years ago -  and there is still a huge reluctance to cross the line to war… tell us about it Mike… LINK: www.greatwarproject.org/ Thanks, Mike Shuster and the Great War Project blog. War in the Sky We are heading into a very tumultuous time. The month becomes known as “Bloody April.” In overview, The UK’s Royal Flying Corp, while supporting the Arras offensive, loses 245 aircraft—140 in the first two weeks—out of an initial strength of 365. Aircrew casualties are 211 killed or missing and 108 captured. The opposing Germans lose only 66 aircraft. Jasta “Boelcke” - you remember them - the squadron named after the man who defined the original techniques for air to air combat - well the squadron shoots down 21 allies, Jasta 11 downs 89, and Von Richthofen alone shoots down  20 allies this month. It’s a bad month for allied air operations. On April 4th, the British begin the air offensive for the Battle of Arras, aimed to capture Vimy Ridge. We will be talking more about that f

WW1 Centennial News for Wednesday March 29, 2017 Highlights 1. Guest - Commissioner Monique Seefried preview on KC April 6th event @ 06:45 2. News - Doughboy MIA list reduced by 1! @ 13:00 3. News - VFW WW1 section goes live on commission web site @ 14:20 4. Guest - Saving Hallowed Ground’s Memorial Tree Project with John Marks @ 16:45 5. Guest - Brooke USA about horses and mules serving during WW1 with Cindy Rullman @20:35 Much more... WW1 Centennial News - Weekly Video Podcast World War One Centennial News: March 29, 2017 World War One THEN Great War Project Mike Shuster from the Great War Project is with us today. Hi Mike--- your post this week talks about a really messy situation in europe and a huge catharsis of conscience here in the US… Mike, tell us how this all plays out! LINK: www.greatwarproject.org/ War in the Sky Now let’s find out about what was happening with the Great War In The Sky 100 years ago this week. Starting NEXT week, we enter what was known as Bloody April - all related to a British offensive called The Battle of Arras… But this week, the end of March, 1917 we meet a Canadian born Lieutenant Billy Bishop - Another colorful aviator. Early on, as a military cadet, he earned acclaim as a hot shot… and I mean a sharp shooter. It was said that he could hit targets that others could only see as dots. He went to war as an infantry spotter and hated it - most of all he hated the mud of the trenches… Having spotted a RFC plane - he reputedly declared: "I’ll bet it's clean up there! You won’t get any mud or horse shit on you up there. If you die, at least it would be a clean death." And so he joined the Royal Flying Corps - and trained to be a pilot. I am sure the story was not quite as neat as all that - but the fact is - that on March 25 th, 1917 Bishop shoots down a german Albatross D. III as his first aerial combat victory. That is #1 in a tally that goes to 72 making him the UK’s top ace - and unlike so many others - he survives WWI - including a famous encounter with Baron Von Richthoven - The Red Baron - The German’s called Billy Bishop - Hell’s Handmaiden - and promptly put a big price on his head - Which no one collects - and Billy Bishop goes on to head UK’s aerial - training plan for WWII then lives until 1956. A pilot who began his career as a WW1 flying ace 100 years ago this week. We invite you to learn more about the war in the sky from RG heads wonderful timeline that you'll find at ww1cc.org/warinthesky LINK: www.ww1cc.org/warinthesky The Great War Channel On to history on YouTube - The Great War channel on YouTube. The channel that shows you the history of the First World War, exactly 100 years ago - from a more european perspective. We encourage our listeners to check it out. This week - the Great War Channel’s new episodes include: Champion for Democracy? - Woodrow Wilson Comparing WW1 Helmet Designs Kaiser Karl Wants Peace - The Sixtus Affair Link: https://www.youtube.com/user/TheGreatWar World War One NOW Zooming forward to the present - it is time for WW1 NOW - News and events about the centennial and the commemoration. Commission News First we have some commission news Theresa Sims - strategic relations at the WW1 Centennial Commission. Will be speaking with Commissioner Monique Seefried. They will be giving you some insights about the upcoming April 6 event in Kansas City. Welcome to you both. Link: www.ww1cc.org/april6 Doughboy MIA Robert