WWI Symposium Unites Historians and Attendees for Day of Learning and Networking

The Inaugural World War I Symposium, presented by the Doughboy Foundation, hosted at the prestigious National Press Club in Washington, DC on September 12, 2025, was a resounding success, establishing itself as a premier gathering for historians and enthusiasts of the Great War.

The full-day event offered a rich program of presentations from leading experts, providing deep insights into various facets of the war. Attendees praised the high quality and variety of the talks, making it a true day of immersive historical learning.

Denise Doring VanBuren

“Now that our beautiful new National World War I Memorial is built and attracting millions of visitors annually, our Foundation has taken up the challenge to ensure that our Doughboys will never again be forgotten,” said Densie Doring VanBuren, Chair of the Doughboy Foundation. “This symposium was just one example of our re-energized work to educate Americans about the service and sacrifice of the generation that won the Great War.”

The symposium’s speakers were the highlight, with attendees noting, “I learned something new from each of them.” The most-cited favorite presentation was Dr. Frank Blazich’s talk, “Feathers of Honor,” which focused on homing pigeons and was praised for its “combination of serious and humor.” Presenters Theo Mayer and Mitchell Yockelson were also singled out for their highly engaging content.

The symposium  proved to be an invaluable educational experience, demonstrating that learning is a continuous journey even for experts,  as captured by Dr. Mitch Yockelson, who remarked: “Participating in the 2025 Doughboy Foundation Symposium was a wonderful opportunity for me to learn about the many diverse facets of the First World War. A great experience.”

The event fostered an environment where even the scheduled speakers—esteemed authors and historians themselves—gained new insights and knowledge from their fellow panelists’ presentations, underscoring the depth and breadth of WWI scholarship still being explored.

“I was very glad to have been asked to participate in the Doughboy Foundation’s Inaugural World War I Symposium,” said author Marvin Barrash.  “This was a special opportunity for me to present a brief history of the U.S.S. Cyclops, a ship that perished with all hands as she transported an important war material during the war.  I’ve been very close to that subject as the ship’s loss and that of her crew touched many families, including my own.”

Presenters and attendees had great opportunities for dialogue and discussion throughout the event.

“I am humbled at the response I received from the attendees on my talk about the AEF homing pigeons,” said Frank Blazich. “Honestly I was in awe of my fellow presenters, masters of their subject matter and authors of numerous books on the subjects. Everyone who attended left far more informed about the sheer scope and scale of the first global conflagration of the twenty century – myself included!”

Logistically, the event was well-received, with the National Press Club proving to be a perfect host. Survey feedback noted the convenience of the location and even praised the early morning offerings: “The pastries were excellent!”

Beyond the lecture hall, the symposium proved to be a fantastic environment for networking. The breaks and lunch on their own offered attendees—from academics to amateur historians—the invaluable opportunity to connect, exchange ideas, and forge new relationships within the WWI community. The organizers were praised for managing a very smooth event, fostering an atmosphere where serious historical discussion and professional camaraderie thrived.

“We are grateful to the presenters, the attendees, and those who executed our inaugural symposium,” said VanBuren. “Feedback has been exceptionally positive, and we will make every effort to continue and grow this format as a way to engage others in our work to honor the men and women of World War I.”

Building on this success, save the date for the next symposium on September 11, 2026. The theme will be “From Revolution to the Trenches: The Enduring Spirit of American Service,” connecting WWI topics with the A250 commemoration. We look forward to another impactful day of learning and connection in 2026.

Author Jim Leeke talked about how baseball and ball players contributed to America’s winning performance in World War I. (Photos (c) Bruce Guthrie)

Symposium attendees and presenters discussed interesting WWI topics and enjoyed tasty snacks during break time. (Photos (c) Bruce Guthrie)

Jari Villanueva toots the horn of the U.S. Army Bands that went Over There to support the troops in World War I.(Photos (c) Bruce Guthrie)

Theo Mayer, a distinguished technologist, educator and WWI enthusiast, demonstrated how modern digital platforms unlock new avenues for interactive learning, bridging 1914 – 1918 with today for both classrooms and adult enthusiasts. (Photos (c) Bruce Guthrie)

After the conclusion of the Symposium, attendees and participants adjourned to the National World War I Memorial for the playing of Daily Taps at 5:00 p.m., honoring the 4.7 million Americans who served in uniform during World War I, and all of America’s veterans. (Photos (c) Bruce Guthrie)