Media Resources
"In Sacrifice for Liberty and Peace" Press Briefing
Video Press Conference held 3/21/17 in Kansas City
Expert Bios
Libby O'Connell, Ph.D.
Commissioner, U.S. WWI Centennial Commission
Libby H. O’Connell was appointed by President Barack Obama to serve on the U.S. World War One Centennial Commission, where she oversees the Education Committee. She also serves as Chairwoman of the World War One Centennial Committee for New York City.
O’Connell is currently the Chief Historian Emeritus at History Channel, where she worked for 23 years in education and corporate social responsibility. She has appeared as a commentator on History and A&E Network, as well as on CNN, the Today Show, and other news channels. Libby O’Connell’s work in television and education has received four national “Emmy” awards, White House recognition, and numerous other honors.
Dr. O’Connell’s recent book, The American Plate: A History in 100 Bites, uses food and drink as a lens for exploring the past. She lectures around the country on World War I and on the interplay of food, drink, and society. She received her Ph.D. in American history from the University of Virginia.
To request and interview with Commissioner O'Connell, please contact Paulo Sibaja at psibaja@susandavis.com.
Monique Brouillet, Ph.D.
Commissioner, U.S. WWI Centennial Commission
Born a French citizen in Tunisia, Monique Seefried became a US citizen in 1985. She grew up in Austria, France and Italy before getting married in the Vatican with Ferdinand Carlos Seefried in 1973. They moved to the United States in 1977. She holds a Ph.D. in History from the University of Paris-Sorbonne where she also did her undergraduate and graduate studies. She has worked in education for 40 years and also in the archaeological and museum world. Between 1982 and 2002, she was Curator of Near Eastern Art at the Carlos Museum.
She is the founder and now board chair of CASIE, the Center for the Advancement and Study of International Education, in Atlanta and from May 2003 until April 2009, she served as chairman of the IB Board of Governors. Her three children are IB graduates from the Atlanta International School, where she served as board chair between 1995 and 1999.
In 2010, Seefried became president of the Croix Rouge Farm Memorial Foundation which has erected in France a WWI memorial statue to the US 42nd (Rainbow Division). In June 2014, she was appointed by the Speaker of the House to the U.S. World War One Centennial Commission where she will serve until July 2019 and where she is responsible for international partnerships and also works on education and states initiatives. She is fluent in English, French, German and Italian.
In 2005, the French Government made her a “chevalier” in the Order of the Academic Palms, in 2009 in the Order of Merit and in 2015 in the Order of the Legion of Honor.
To request an interview with Commissioner Brouillet, please contact Paulo Sibaja at psibaja@susandavis.com.
Col. Robert Dalessandro
Chair, U.S. WWI Centennial Commission
Colonel, USA (Ret.)
Rob Dalessandro was appointed as the deputy secretary for Headquarters Operations at the American Battle Monuments Commission (ABMC) on September 8, 2014. Previously he was selected as a member of the Senior Executive Service and appointed as Executive Director/Chief of Military History, U.S. Army Center of Military History, on 13 February 2011.
He has over 31 years of experience in the Department of Defense serving in a variety of command and staff positions at both the operational and headquarters levels. After beginning his Federal career in 1980 as a Second Lieutenant in the U.S. Army, Dalessandro served in a wide variety of leadership and staff assignments, including commands at the company, depot, and battalion levels and staff assignments at echelons of command from battalion through Department of the Army level.
Dalessandro retired from the U.S. Army in June 2009 after serving as the Director of the U.S. Army Heritage and Education Center in Carlisle, PA. Since then, he has served as the Assistant Chief of Military History at the Center of Military History, working a wide range of administrative, technical, museum, and policy issues.
Rob was commissioned in the U.S. Army after graduating from the Virginia Military Institute with a degree in history. His graduate studies include work at the College of William and Mary, where he studied historical archeology; a master's degree in Military Arts and Science in history from the U.S. Army Command and General Staff College; a master's degree in Strategic Studies from the U.S. Army War College; and a graduate certificate in museum collections management and care from George Washington University.
Considered one of the Army's foremost experts on battlefield interpretation, Mr. Dalessandro is widely published on the lifeways and material culture of the American Soldier.
He is editor of the Army Officer's Guide, and coauthor of Organization and Insignia of the American Expeditionary Force, 1917-1923; Willing Patriots: Men of Color in the First World War; and American Lions: The 332nd Infantry Regiment in Italy in World War One. He is a member of a number of professional organizations, including the Society for Military History, American Association of Museums, and the Company of Military Historians. He has received numerous awards and honors throughout his career, including the Legion of Merit, the Meritorious Service Medal, and the Parachutist Badge.
He was appointed to the Commission by the House Minority Leader, Congresswoman Nancy Pelosi of California.
To request an interview with Colonel Delassandro, please contact Paulo Sibaja at psibaja@susandavis.com.
Debra Anderson
Commissioner, U.S. WWI Centennial Commission
Debra Anderson is the Quartermaster General of the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) organization National Headquarters in Kansas City, MO. Anderson graduated from the University of Missouri Columbia. She served for 13 years in the U.S. Army, which included deployment to Operation Desert Storm. She has been awarded the Bronze Star medal, two Meritorious Service Medals, the Southeast Asia Service Medal, the Kuwait Liberation Medal, and the Parachutist Badge.
She left the Army in 1993 and held a variety of management positions in business from 1993-2007. Anderson joined VFW Post 7356 in Parkville, MO, in 2006 as a way to get more involved in the local community. She joined the staff of the VFW National Headquarters in 2007.
She was appointed to the Commission by the Veterans of Foreign Wars.
To request an interview with Commissioner Anderson, please contact Paulo Sibaja at psibaja@susandavis.com.
Press Releases
U.S. World War I Centennial Commission Announces Centennial Commemoration of U.S. Entry into World War l
Washington, D.C. — The United States World War I Centennial Commission today officially announced the national ceremony commemorating the centennial of the United States entry into World War I, a war that changed the nation and the world forever.
The national ceremony, “In Sacrifice for Liberty and Peace: Centennial Commemoration of the U.S. Entry in World War I,” will be held on April 6, 2017 at the National World War I Museum and Memorial in Kansas City, Mo. Invited attendees include the President of the United States; Congressional leadership; Cabinet members; State governors; U.S. military leaders; veteran organizations; representatives from U.S. military legacy units that trace their history back to World War I; descendants of significant American WWI figures; and other organizations, dignitaries, and VIPs. International invitees include the Heads of State of Australia, Austria, Belgium, Canada, France, Germany, Hungary, Italy, the United Kingdom, and all other nations whose people were involved in the Great War.
On April 6, 1917, after much debate, the United States entered World War I. The ceremony in Kansas City, and complementary events around the nation, will encourage every American to reflect on what that moment meant, how it continues to influence the nation, and how every American family, then and now, is linked to that perilous time.
“The April 6 ceremony in Kansas City is an important element of the national conversation about World War I,” said Dan Dayton, executive director of the World War I Centennial Commission. “Why should we care? Because we are all products of World War I. The entire country was involved— everyone has a story. The Commission’s goal is to inspire you to find your personal story and connection.”
“In Sacrifice for Liberty and Peace: Centennial Commemoration of the U.S. Entry in World War I” will consist principally of the reading of passages from significant and representative American writings of a century ago about the U.S. decision to enter the war, including selections from speeches, journalism, literature, poetry, and performance of important music of the time. Invited American readers include the President of the United States, Congressional leadership, and descendants of U.S. World War I veterans. Certain Heads of State from other nations are invited to read passages reflecting the reaction of their respective nations to the U.S. entry into the war in 1917.
The ceremony will also include flyovers by U.S. aircraft and Patrouille de France, as well as a military band, color guard, ceremonial units, and video productions. Students across the nation will participate in this historic event, learning how WWI changed the United States and the world.
America’s entry into the Great War created profound change throughout the country. WWI military Historian and archivist at the National Archives and Records Administration Mitchell Yockelson explains that “although the union was again whole after the end of the American Civil War, the United States remained fractured. Recovery was slow until the turning point of reconciliation occurred 52 years later. On April 6, 1917, Americans cast aside past sectional and political differences, donned the same uniform and fought as one under a singular president and field commander in the Great War.”
World War I Centennial Commissioner Dr. Monique Seefried said it is critical that the nation remember the momentous events of World War I.
“It is so important to understand the debate that was going on within the United States about entering World War l. In reaching that decision, the nation became united for the first time in decades. Our goal was to bring peace to a world that had become inflamed. The subsequent decisions and actions taken 100 years ago helped shape and define the world we live in today.”
Designated by the U.S. Congress in 2004 as the official museum dedicated to WWI, and in 2014 as America's National World War I Museum and Memorial, the Museum is uniquely positioned to host the official Commission event. “It’s a fitting tribute to those who served in the Great War that we commemorate the entry of the United States into World War I in the very same place where millions of visitors from across the world have paid tribute for nearly a century,” said National World War I Museum and Memorial President and CEO and World War l Commissioner Dr. Matthew Naylor. “The National World War I Museum and Memorial is committed to remembering, understanding and interpreting the Great War and its enduring impact and this event underscores how this calamitous conflict continues to significantly affect everyone to this day.”
The ceremony launches an 18-month long commemoration period of the United States’ involvement in WWI, marked by anniversaries of specific events of the war, including major engagements of U.S. forces, key local dates, and more. More information on key events can be found at ww1cc.org/events.
For additional information or to request an interview with the Commission or its spokespeople, please contact Paulo Sibaja, psibaja@susandavis.com or 202-414-0798.
About the World War I Centennial Commission
The Commission was established by the World War I Centennial Commission Act, passed by the 112th Congress and signed by President Barack Obama on January 16, 2013, and is responsible for planning, developing, and executing programs, projects, and activities to commemorate the centennial of World War I. The mission is to educate the country’s citizens about the causes, courses and consequences of the war; honor the heroism and sacrifice of those Americans who served, and commemorate the Great War through public programs and initiatives. To learn more about the Commission activities, visit ww1cc.org/tools.
To further the mission, the Commission is leading the effort to build the National World War I Memorial at Pershing Park in Washington, D.C. to honor the 4.7 million American veterans who served. To learn more about the Memorial, visit ww1cc.org/memorial.
The Commission’s founding sponsor is the Pritzker Military Museum and Library (PMML) in Chicago, Ill. PMML is a nonpartisan research institution dedicated to enhancing public understanding of military history and the sacrifices made by America's veterans and service members. To learn more about PMML, visit www.pritzkermilitary.org.
About the National World War I Museum and Memorial
The National World War I Museum and Memorial is America’s leading institution dedicated to remembering, interpreting and understanding the Great War and its enduring impact on the global community. The Museum holds the most diverse collection of World War I objects and documents in the world and is the second-oldest public museum dedicated to preserving the objects, history and experiences of the war. The Museum takes visitors of all ages on an epic journey through a transformative period and shares deeply personal stories of courage, honor, patriotism and sacrifice. Designated by Congress as America’s National World War I Museum and Memorial and located in downtown Kansas City, Mo., the National World War I Museum and Memorial inspires thought, dialogue and learning to make the experiences of the Great War era meaningful and relevant for present and future generations. To learn more, visit theworldwar.org.
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World War I Centennial Commission Announces Key Participation in Advance of April 6 Commemoration
Actor Kevin Costner to Lend Voice to WWI Centennial Commission Commemoration
Washington, D.C. — The United States World War I Centennial Commission announced the participation of Kevin Costner as well as international, national, and local dignitaries in anticipation of the national ceremony, “In Sacrifice for Liberty and Peace: Centennial Commemoration of the U.S. Entry into World War I,” at the National WWI Museum and Memorial in Kansas City, Mo. on April 6.
At a press briefing, WWI Centennial Commissioner and President and CEO of the National WWI Museum and Memorial Dr. Matthew Naylor announced that actor, producer, and director Kevin Costner will narrate part of the ceremony’s text. The actor’s participation comes on the heels of confirmed participation of Gen. Paul J. Selva, the vice chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, the French delegation headed by Minister of Defense Jean-Yves Le Drian, and the Belgian delegation headed by Minister of Defense, Steven Vandeput.
The Commission confirmed the attendance of ambassadors from Belgium, Guatemala, Italy, Latvia, Malawi, Slovenia and the Ukraine and announced the honorary host committee comprised of Missouri Governor Eric Greitens, Senators Claire McCaskill and Roy Blunt, Congressman Emanuel Cleaver, II, and Kansas City Mayor Sylvester “Sly” James. Debra Anderson, quartermaster general of the Veterans of Foreign War and WWI Centennial commissioner, also noted the attendance of Kansas Governor Sam Brownback, Lieutenant Governor Jeff Colyer, and relatives of WWI heroes Gen. George S. Patton and Gen. John J. Pershing, Helen Patton and Sandra Pershing.
French-born, American citizen and WWI Centennial Commissioner Dr. Monique Seefried noted the importance of American involvement in WWI, “My reason for being with you today is to tell you how grateful I am as a French-born woman for what Americans did twice in a century to save France... at the time of WWI the United States entered the war for purely unselfish and idealistic reasons: for peace and democracy. These were noble reasons, and even if the peace was short, and democracy failed in most of Europe, American soldiers gave their lives fighting for values we highly respect still today. We should never forget them, nor forget the nearly 20% of foreign-born Americans who served in WWI.”
“In Sacrifice for Liberty and Peace: Centennial Commemoration of the U.S. Entry into World War I” will begin at 9 a.m. CDT with a stunning prelude and pre-ceremony multi-media production that illustrates American life in 1917 as the horror of war unfolded on the battlefields of Europe. It will recall the impassioned arguments from our countrymen and women both for and against involvement in the Great War.
A limited number of ceremony tickets will be available to the general public Thursday March 23 at www.ww1cc.org/april6. Guests may reserve up to four tickets through an online ticketing system on a first-come, first-serve basis. For schools and group reservations, a limited number of group tickets will also be available on a first-come, first-serve basis.
Media credentialing is also available at www.ww1cc.org/april6.
To watch the “In Sacrifice for Liberty and Peace” Press Briefing click on the image above.
About the World War I Centennial Commission
The Commission was established by the World War I Centennial Commission Act, passed by the 112th Congress and signed by President Barack Obama on January 16, 2013, and is responsible for planning, developing, and executing programs, projects, and activities to commemorate the centennial of World War I. The mission is to educate the country’s citizens about the causes, courses and consequences of the war; honor the heroism and sacrifice of those Americans who served, and commemorate the Great War through public programs and initiatives. To learn more about the Commission activities, visit www.ww1cc.org/tools.
To further the mission, the Commission is leading the effort to build the National World War I Memorial at Pershing Park in Washington, D.C. to honor the 4.7 million American veterans who served. To learn more about the Memorial, visit www.ww1cc.org/memorial.
The Commission’s founding sponsor is the Pritzker Military Museum and Library (PMML) in Chicago, Ill. PMML is a nonpartisan research institution dedicated to enhancing public understanding of military history and the sacrifices made by America's veterans and service members. To learn more about PMML, visit www.pritzkermilitary.org.
The presenting sponsor for “In Sacrifice for Liberty and Peace: Centennial Commemoration of the U.S. Entry into World War I” is the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States (VFW) in Kansas City, Mo. The VFW is a nonprofit veterans service organization comprised of eligible veterans and military service members from the active, guard and reserve forces. To learn more about the VFW, visit www.vfw.org.
About the National World War I Museum and Memorial
The National World War I Museum and Memorial is America’s leading institution dedicated to remembering, interpreting and understanding the Great War and its enduring impact on the global community. The Museum holds the most diverse collection of World War I objects and documents in the world and is the second-oldest public museum dedicated to preserving the objects, history and experiences of the war. The Museum takes visitors of all ages on an epic journey through a transformative period and shares deeply personal stories of courage, honor, patriotism and sacrifice. Designated by Congress as America’s National World War I Museum and Memorial and located in downtown Kansas City, Mo., the National World War I Museum and Memorial inspires thought, dialogue and learning to make the experiences of the Great War era meaningful and relevant for present and future generations. To learn more, visit www.theworldwar.org.
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World War I Centennial Commission Announces April 6 Commemorative Ceremony Public Tickets
Washington, D.C. — The United States World War I Centennial Commission announced today public tickets are now available for “In Sacrifice for Liberty and Peace: Centennial Commemoration of the U.S. Entry into World War I,” at the National World War I Museum and Memorial in Kansas City, Mo. on April 6.
Up to four tickets for the ceremony can be requested through online ticketing on a first-come, first-serve basis. For schools and group reservations, a limited number of group tickets will also be available on a first-come, first-serve basis. The ticket link can be found on the “In Sacrifice for Liberty and Peace: Centennial Commemoration of the U.S. Entry into World War I” website at www.ww1cc.org/april6.
All guests, including children, must have a ticket to gain entry into the event. Ticket holders will be required to enter the National World War I Museum and Memorial grounds between the hours of 6:00 a.m. – 9:00 a.m., on Thursday, April 6th and pass through security screening. Security screening gates will open at 6:00 a.m. and attendees are encouraged to come early. The public seating area will not have chairs, but guests will be allowed to bring blankets or cushions. No entry will be allowed after 9:00 a.m.
Additional security and entry information can be found on the ceremony website, www.ww1cc.org/april6 , as information is finalized. In addition to the general public ticket option, live video of the cremony will also be streamed on the internet for schools, individuals and organizations to view.
About the World War I Centennial Commission
The Commission was established by the World War I Centennial Commission Act, passed by the 112th Congress and signed by President Barack Obama on January 16, 2013, and is responsible for planning, developing, and executing programs, projects, and activities to commemorate the centennial of World War I. The mission is to educate the country’s citizens about the causes, courses and consequences of the war; honor the heroism and sacrifice of those Americans who served, and commemorate the Great War through public programs and initiatives. To learn more about the Commission activities, visit www.ww1cc.org/tools.
To further the mission, the Commission is leading the effort to build the National World War I Memorial at Pershing Park in Washington, D.C. to honor the 4.7 million American veterans who served. To learn more about the Memorial, visit www.ww1cc.org/memorial.
The Commission’s founding sponsor is the Pritzker Military Museum and Library (PMML) in Chicago, Ill. PMML is a nonpartisan research institution dedicated to enhancing public understanding of military history and the sacrifices made by America's veterans and service members. To learn more about PMML, visit www.pritzkermilitary.org.
The presenting sponsor for “In Sacrifice for Liberty and Peace: Centennial Commemoration of the U.S. Entry into World War I” is the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States (VFW) in Kansas City, Mo. The VFW is a nonprofit veterans service organization comprised of eligible veterans and military service members from the active, guard and reserve forces. To learn more about the VFW, visit www.vfw.org
About the National World War I Museum and Memorial
The National World War I Museum and Memorial is America’s leading institution dedicated to remembering, interpreting and understanding the Great War and its enduring impact on the global community. The Museum holds the most diverse collection of World War I objects and documents in the world and is the second-oldest public museum dedicated to preserving the objects, history and experiences of the war. The Museum takes visitors of all ages on an epic journey through a transformative period and shares deeply personal stories of courage, honor, patriotism and sacrifice. Designated by Congress as America’s National World War I Museum and Memorial and located in downtown Kansas City, Mo., the National World War I Museum and Memorial inspires thought, dialogue and learning to make the experiences of the Great War era meaningful and relevant for present and future generations. To learn more, visit www.theworldwar.org.
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Coverage
Press Briefing
Members of the media are invited to participate in an official press briefing for the April 6 commemorative ceremony on Tuesday, March 21 at 1:00 p.m. CDT. To receive a link to the briefing live stream and call-in information, please contact Paulo Sibaja at psibaja@susandavis.com.
“In Sacrifice for Liberty and Peace: Centennial Commemoration of the U.S. Entry into World War I” Press Briefing
Tuesday March 21, 2017
1 p.m. CDT
National World War I Museum and Memorial
Introductions
Dr. Matthew Naylor
President & CEO, National WWI Museum and Memorial
Commissioner, U.S. World War I Centennial Commission
Opening Remarks
Col. Robert Dalessandro
Executive Director, American Battle Monuments Commission
Chairman, U.S. World War I Centennial Commission
Kansas City
Hon. Emanuel Cleaver, II
United States House of Representatives, Missouri’s Fifth District
Impact of World War I
Dr. Monique Seefried
Commissioner, U.S. World War I Centennial Commission
Special Announcements
Debra Anderson
Quartermaster General, Veterans of Foreign Wars
Commissioner, U.S. World War I Centennial Commissioner
Ceremony Logistics
Keli O’Neill Wenzel
President & CEO, O’Neill Events/Susan Davis International
Q & A
Mike Vietti
Director of Marketing, Communications & Guest Services, National WWI Museum and Memorial
VFW Check Presentation
Closing Remarks
Mike Vietti
Interviews
Museum Tours
Ceremony
The Defense Media Agency (DMA) will broadcast the ceremony live to the U.S Armed Forces and Defense Department Schools internationally. Live video of the ceremony will also be streamed on the Internet.
Media wishing to host the ceremony live stream on their website may request an embed code by emailing Paulo Sibaja at psibaja@susandavis.com. Embed codes will be distributed 15 minutes prior to the ceremony beginning.
Satellite Coordinates
Satellite Coordinates for April 6:
Satellite Time is 0900-1400 EDT, or 0800-1300 CDT, with a 15 minute approx.
Satellite: Galaxy 17 (Ku) Dig
Transponder: 12
Channel: C
Orbital Slot: 91 W
Bandwidth: 9 MHz
Uplink Frequency: 14244.5 (H)
Downlink Frequency: 11944.5 (V)
Symbol Rate: 7.5
Modulation: DVB-S2/8PSK
FEC: 3 over 4
Sound:4.2.0
Video Codec: MPEG4
Data Rate: 16.7
Rolloff: 20 percent
Channel 1 Stereo Mix
Channel 2 Stereo Mix
Channel 3 Stereo Mix
Channel 4 Stereo Mix
Transmission Contact:
Mike Jones
mjones@boxermediagroup.com
316-323-7800
