‘Soldier’s Journey’ unveiling completes National World War I Memorial
Published: 5 September 2024
By Matt Grills
via the American Legion website
American Legion Matt Grills header
Photo courtesy Attila Szalay-Berzeviczy
On Sept. 13, at sunset, sculptor Sabin Howard’s “A Soldier’s Journey” will be unveiled during a “First Illumination” ceremony at the National World War I Memorial in Washington, D.C.
The epic 38-figure, 58-foot-long bronze relief will be lighted scene by scene during a “wonderful night of music and narration,” says Jari Villanueva, executive director of the Doughboy Foundation, the nonprofit partner to the U.S. World War One Centennial Commission and steward of the memorial.
The event will start at 7:15 p.m. Eastern time. The public is invited to watch in person at the adjacent Freedom Plaza, 1325 Pennsylvania Ave., NW, or online via livestream at ww1cc.org.
The U.S. Army Band, “Pershing’s Own,” will perform, followed by the ringing of a bell by Howard in tribute to the fallen. Twenty buglers dressed in World War I uniforms will play an opening fanfare.
“First Illumination” opens WWI Living History Weekend, a series of immersive events hosted by the Doughboy Foundation. From 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sept. 14 and 15, visitors to the memorial can see displays of World War I vehicles by the National WWI Mobile Museum, historical presentations by authors and World War I reenactors, Douglas Taurel’s one-man play “A Soldier’s Journey Home” and more. The lineup also includes musical performances by the American Expeditionary Forces Headquarters Band, the Community Bands of Westmoreland County, Pa., and the Old Guard Fife and Drum Corps. Belgium’s Last Post Association will conclude each day with a ceremonial playing of bugle calls.
With the installation of “A Soldier’s Journey,” the National World War I Memorial is complete. And thanks to the Doughboy Foundation, it’s something to experience as well as see, with the daily sounding of taps, augmented-reality mobile apps and more.
Read the entire article on the American Legion website here:
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