National WWI Museum and Memorial

Here are 8 ways to show your appreciation on and around Veterans Day. 1. Show up. Attend a Veterans Day event in your area. (Join us! theworldwar.org/veteransday) 2. Donate. Find an organization that supports veterans. 3. Fly a U.S. flag... 4. Ask someone about their service. Questions such as What did you do in the military? and How long did you serve? are great starting points. 5. Write a note of gratitude. Send a postcard, letter or email. 6. Don’t confuse Veterans Day with Memorial Day. Veterans Day is a time to thank people for their service. Memorial Day is meant to reflect on those who gave their lives during service. 7. Visit a VA Hospital or find other ways to support one | Many host special events on Veterans Day. 8. Get outdoors with a Veteran. Admission to national parks is free for everyone on #VeteransDay. via Military.com

Be on the lookout for two UH-60 Blackhawks from the 1-108th Aviation Regiment of the Kansas Army National Guard flying over downtown Kansas City and the Museum and Memorial starting at around 11 a.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 11, in honor of #VeteransDay. Flyover path marked below. Thank you, Black & Veatch.

The message from an infantry soldier based at Ingersheim, written in German in a barely legible hand, detailed military manoeuvres apparently during the First World War and was addressed to a superior officer.

Are you an early-riser? Join us on Nov. 11, at 6:30 a.m., to observe an All Veteran Group parachute team that will tandem skydive a veteran from each war World War II, Korean War, Vietnam War, Persian Gulf, Afghanistan War & Iraq War, as well as Sept. 11 and land on the Museum's North Lawn. A symbolic WWI Soldier & Missing Man will also BASE Jump from the Liberty Memorial Tower. Learn more: theworldwar.org/veteransday

Veterans Day is next week on Nov. 11. Join fellow Americans in honoring veterans, present and past, with special activities, public ceremonies on the grounds and free general admission for veterans/active duty military to the Museum, Nov. 7-15. In addition, general admission is half price for the public on Nov. 11. Make your plans at theworldwar.org/veteransday.

What always unites us: supporting our veterans who have served and sacrificed. The wearing of poppy pins is a symbol that endures to this day from World War I. Many staff and volunteers at the Museum choose to wear the pin throughout the year but it is typically worn in the 11 days leading up to November 11, known as Veterans Day in the U.S. and Armistice Day or Remembrance Day in other parts of the world. Poppies are worn in remembrance of those who have died in war and also... symbolizes a bond of gratefulness between the living and the dead. Don't have a pin? You can buy one in our Museum Shop or online here: ow.ly/aW2a30qHvfI Pictured: visiting Canadian officer and his family at the Museum and Memorial on Veterans Day wearing their poppies.

Veterans Day is next week on Nov. 11. Join us in honoring veterans with special activities, public ceremonies on the grounds and free general admission for veterans/active duty military to the Museum, Nov. 7-15. In addition, general admission is half price for the public on Nov. 11. Make plans to honor veterans on Nov. 11 here or at home by exploring our page at theworldwar.org/veteransday.

The "Georgia on My Mind" song is being widely shared today. It was a 1930 song written by Hoagy Carmichael and Stuart Gorrell and first recorded by Hoagy. Listen to the original recording below! Louis Armstrong first recorded his version of the song #OTD in 1931. Hoagy tried to enter service during World War I but was rejected constantly as underweight until he was finally accepted. The next day the war ended.

While the world waits for the final election reports, enjoy this fluffy mood that models our WWI voting day stickers. Hold your sweet animals today! It’s going to be a long week.

Photographs from today as people hit the polls at the National WWI Museum and Memorial. Because we never miss an educational opportunity, we have signage about "100 Years of Democracy" leading up to the voting entrance. We're so proud to be a polling place and to open our doors to the community in this way. Remember that if you come by with your "I Voted" sticker, you can receive half-price admission today until close! Plan your visit at theworldwar.org/safe.

Want to vote at the National WWI Museum and Memorial? Do you live in Kansas City, MO? Do you live in Jackson County, MO? IF you answered yes to BOTH questions you can vote at the Museum and Memorial and get one of our exclusive stickers inspired by our own Collection. ... If you voted in our sticker design contest, know that your vote was counted and all three designs received their own overwhelming support across our platforms! In the end, we printed all three so you can don your favorite.

Thank you to Steve Haith (of DSG Industrial Cleaning Systems) and the wonderful folks at Concrete & Masonry Restoration for coming by so quickly to assess the damage and work to carefully wash the paint off the historic stonework. They are our heroes today as we work tirelessly to make this a safe and welcoming polling location. VOTE!

In the early hours of this morning a small group of people defaced stonework at the National WWI Museum and Memorial. We are honored to be a polling location for today’s election and condemn this attempt at voter intimidation. Our democracy is something that generations of veterans, including those in WWI, have fought to defend. Today we’ll clean this up and we hope that you’ll all do your part to vote and make your voices heard.

From isolationist to global leader, the U.S. fought to secure liberty abroad in WWI in order to sustain freedom at home. Among the results: broader freedoms, a new era in women’s and civil rights, the dawn of the American Century and much more. America was thrust onto the global stage, transformed into a military and industrial power that has made the world even more watchful over our own political map and who we choose as our next President. Our participation in World War ...I over 100 years ago solidified the U.S. as a major world leader. It is our collective responsibility to reflect and learn about what it means, as President Wilson said in April 1917, to make the world safe for democracy. The enduring impact of the Great War and the leadership decisions made then continues to be felt today and continues to influence the lives of men and women throughout the world. This is the story told uniquely at the National WWI Museum and Memorial. And, it’s as important now as it’s ever been. Tomorrow, VOTE and do your part to make the world safe for democracy.