WASHINGTON (Nov. 11, 2014) - - On Veterans Day, Americans take time out to remember and honor its Veterans, and this year was no different with thousands of memorials held nationwide. One such service was held in Arlington National Cemetery at the grave of America's General of the Armies, John J. "Black Jack" Pershing.
The Military Order of the World Wars' (MOWW) coordinates the event and was established after Pershing requested that his officers continue serving America after their active military service ended following World War I. Since MOWW was established in 1919, MOWW members ("Companions") have lived by the Military Order's motto, "It is nobler to serve than to be served."
"MOWW inherited the production of this ceremony in front of General Pershing's grave from the Veterans of World War I when they became too few to carry on the task," said retired Lt. Col. Alfred H.M. Shehab, past commander-in-chief of the MOWW. "Today, we invite representatives from all of the nations involved in World War I in order to honor the sacrifice their Soldiers and people made during a time of war."
Pershing (1860-1948) served in the Indian Wars, the Spanish-American War, the Philippines, the Mexican Intervention and World War I. He was promoted to a rank never attained before, General of the Armies, the highest American military rank. During this time, Pershing reorganized the Army. Among his achievements, Pershing updated military training techniques, emphasized physical fitness and started professional schools for officers.
But the MOWW is not just about one memorial service on Veterans Day. The organization's goals include fostering fraternal relations among all branches of the armed forces, to cherish the memories and associations of the World Wars waged for humanity and to promote patriotic education in America.
"Usually we contact High School counselors and Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps commanders looking for sophomores and juniors interested in learning more about their country," said Richard E. Minor, Patriotic Education chairman and the Arizona Youth Leadership Conference director.
MOWW's Patriotic Education Program is hosted by MOWW chapters in local communities. Primarily, this program involves MOWW's Youth Leadership Conferences and Massing of Colors ceremonies.
The Youth Leadership Conferences have consistently been selected for inclusion in the National Association of Secondary School Principals List of Approved Contests and Activities for Students. The conference goals provide 50% of class time dedicated to leadership, with 30% of class time devoted to the U.S. government, U.S. history, the U.S. Constitution, and 20% devoted to the Free Enterprise System and the U.S. economy.
MOWW chapters also conduct Massing of Colors and other programs in support of patriotic activities on the Fourth of July, Veterans Day, Memorial Day, Flag Day, etc., including the annual General of the Armies John J. Pershing Memorial Ceremony at Arlington National Cemetery.
Guest speaker at the ceremony was Maj. Gen. Jeffrey S. Buchanan, commanding general of the U.S. Army Military District of Washington and the Joint Force Headquarters - National Capital Region. Music was supplied by The U.S. Army Band "Pershing's Own." The Band was founded in 1922 by then Army Chief of Staff General Pershing to emulate European military bands he heard during World War I.
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