NPC Newsmaker Program: Preparing for a National World War I Memorial, 100 Years Later

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Aug 04, 2014, 05:16 ET

WASHINGTON, Aug. 4, 2014 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- In a city densely populated with memorials, there is one conspicuous absence – a memorial commemorating America's involvement in what was known as "the Great War" – World War One, which started 100 years ago, in the summer of 1914.

At a National Press Club Newsmakers news conference on Tuesday, August 12, Edwin L. Fountain of the U.S. World War I Centennial Commission will discuss legislation that's been introduced to authorize re-development of Pershing Park in Northwest Washington as a national World War I memorial.

The Congressionally chartered Commission is tasked with educating the American people about the causes and consequences of the war and to commemorate the sacrifices of the American servicemen and women who served in that war. Pershing Park, located on Pennsylvania Avenue in front of the Willard Hotel – just steps from the National Press Club – currently contains a small memorial to Gen. John J. Pershing, commander of the American Expeditionary Forces during World War I.

The legislation, which has passed the House of Representatives as an amendment to the National Defense Authorization Act and is awaiting action by the Senate, would permit the Commission to pursue re-development of the park.

This Newsmakers news conference is scheduled for Tuesday, August 12 at 10 a.m. in the club's Zenger Room, on the 13^th Floor of the National Press Building, 529 14^th St. NW, Washington DC 20045.

Like all NPC Newsmaker events, this news conference is open to credentialed media and NPC club members. It is free of charge and no advance registration is required.

Contact:
Tony Gallo NPC Newsmakers Event Host
202 -544-6973, [email protected]

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SOURCE National Press Club