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Published: June 30th 2009
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World War One Museum
National World War One Museum In Kansas City, MO While in Kansas City, MO over Flag Day weekend visiting my friends Greg and Judy, I wanted to do something special for Flag Day. One of the things on my to-do list is to visit the Harry Truman Library in Independence (just outside the city). So on Flag Day, June 14th, I planned to check this off my bucket list. (It's also my brother Tony's birthday- Happy Birthday Tony!).
So what about The National World War 1 Monument/Museum asked Greg? What a World War 1 museum in KC? The answer was no and no because I did not know one existed. Plans changed and off we went to see this awesome museum on Flag Day.
There are too many highlights of the museum, so all I will say is WOW. WOW from the walk across the Field of Poppies, to the orientation movie, the many displays, the art work, the walk up the monument and the first class multi-media history lesson. This is one museum that I plan on revisiting from time to time.
For you history buffs, here’s a recap of the key points of WW I. (I hope I’m really close to the facts). Read more
about the museum here:
Long story short for the catalyst for WW I was the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand.
1. Archduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria is assassinated, June 28, 1914.
2. Austria blames Serbia for assassination.
3. Serbia refuses to comply with the demands so Austria invades Serbia, July 23, 1914.
4. Russia mobilizes its forces, July 30, 1914.
5. Germany declares war on Russia, August 1, 1914.
6. Germany declares war on France, August 3, 1914.
7. Germany invades Belgium to get into France, August 4, 1914.
8. Britain declares war on Germany, August 4, 1914.
9. United States declared war on Germany, April 6, 1917. Why?
In short story format, the sinking of the Lusitania on May 7, 1915. This was a British cruise/transport ship, bound for Britain from New York. German U-boat ring sought to sink all supply ships headed for Britain in order to starve the island. They bombed the Lusitania, 1195 people died, including 128 Americans.
The Allied Powers consisted of 28 nations, including Britain, France, Russia, Italy, and the United States.
The Central Powers consisted of Germany, Austria-Hungary, the Ottoman Empire and Bulgaria.
WW 1 ended November 11, 1918, known as Armistice Day and the Treaty of Versailles was ratified July 1919. In 1919, Citizens of Kansas City raised $2.5m in two weeks for the Liberty Memorial. On November 1, 1921, the site for the Liberty Memorial was dedicated, in attendance: Lieutenant General Baron Jacques of Belgium; General Armando Diaz of Italy; Marshal Ferdinand Foch of France; General John J. Pershing of the United States; and Admiral David Beatty of Great Britain. How cool is that!
Nov 11, 1926, eight years after the end of the War, President Calvin Coolidge delivered the dedication speech. So why don’t we know much about WW 1, otherwise known as the “forgotten war”. Sad to say, no real excuse on my part. But today, I rectified this by spending three hours here.
So not to rewrite history, take a look at the memorial website,
One last item, the Flanders Fields poem by John McCrae. Take a look at this website for the history of this poem. . The next time you see a veteran selling poppies on Veterans Day, buy one not for yourself but for the brave men (and some women) who died so that we could live Flanders Field
This Field Is Dedicated To The Fallen US Military Men free. I vow to visit Flanders Fields on my next trip to Europe.
In Flanders Fields, By: Lieutenant Colonel John McCrae, MD (1872-1918), Canadian Army
In Flanders Fields the poppies blow
Between the crosses row on row,
That mark our place; and in the sky
The larks, still bravely singing, fly
Scarce heard amid the guns below.
We are the Dead. Short days ago
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
Loved and were loved, and now we lie
In Flanders fields.
Take up our quarrel with the foe:
To you from failing hands we throw
The torch; be yours to hold it high.
If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
In Flanders fields
Source:
Above The Best, Ann
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