ABMC to host centennial events to mark 100 years of commemoration
To mark a hundred years of commemoration, ABMC released a unique 56-minute documentary, "Our Promise: 100 years of the American Battle Monuments Commission." The unique documentary, which honors both the sacrifice of our fallen and the dedication of ABMC staff to keep their legacy alive, was premiered at the National Archives in Washington D.C., on March 3, 2023, in collaboration with the National Archives Foundation.
ABMC has partnered with organizations to screen the documentary throughout the year in presence of ABMC representatives, such as ABMC Commissioners, historians and overseas cemeteries Superintendents.
Most events will be livestreamed on ABMC’s Facebook page, Twitter account and YouTube channel. Join us in commemorating the lives, sacrifice and legacy of hundreds of thousands of American fallen heroes: follow our social accounts.
A list of events to be scheduled this year can be found below.
| December 12, 2022 Press Conference at the National Press Club, Washington D.C. Guests: Mark P. Hertling, ABMC Chairman; Mike Knapp, ABMC Chief Historian. Learn more: The American Battle Monuments Commission launches year-long centennial anniversary commemoration at National Press Club in Washington, D.C. |
| March 3, 2023 Documentary Premiere at the National Archives and Records Administration, Washington D.C. Guests: Thomas Conner, Historian; Charles K. Djou, ABMC Secretary; Mark P. Hertling, ABMC Chairman; Mike Knapp, ABMC Chief Historian; Gretchen Wronka, Next-of-Kin. Learn more: The American Battle Monuments Commission releases documentary to mark a hundred years of commemoration |
| March 4, 2023 Centennial commemorative ceremonies at ABMC cemeteries across the globe. See details: ABMC Cemeteries to host centennial events as ABMC turns 100 on March 4, 2023 |
| March 6, 2023 Luminary event and centennial commemorative ceremony at Suresnes American Cemetery, France. See details: The American Battle Monuments Commission commemorates centennial with luminary at Suresnes American Cemetery |
| May 12, 2023 Documentary Screening at the World War I Museum, Kansas City, Missouri. Guests: Florent Groberg, ABMC Commissioner and Medal of Honor Recipient; Mike Knapp, ABMC Chief Historian; Bruce Malone, ABMC Superintendent; Dr. Christopher Warren, World War I Museum Vice President and Senior Curator. More information: ABMC documentary to be screened at World War I Museum, Kansas City |
| May 28, 2023 Memorial Day ceremony at Flanders Field American Cemetery, Belgium. More information: Memorial Day 2023 at Flanders Field American Cemetery |
| May 2023 Memorial Day ceremonies hosted at ABMC sites across the globe. Learn more: Memorial Day 2023 at ABMC Sites |
| June 2, 2023 Documentary Screening at the World War II Museum, New Orleans, Louisiana. Guest: Dan Hicks, ABMC Superintendent; Mike Knapp, ABMC Chief Historian. Learn more: https://www.abmc.gov/news-events/news/abmc-documentary-be-screened-world-war-ii-museum-new-orleans |
| June 7, 2023 Burial Ceremony of World War I Unknown Soldier at Oise-Aisne American Cemetery, France. Learn more: https://www.abmc.gov/news-events/news/american-battle-monuments-commission-lays-rest-unknown-us-wwi-soldier-france-more |
| June 15, 2023 Documentary Screening at the Pritzker Military Museum and Library, Chicago, Illinois. Guests: Amy Looney Heffernan, ABMC Commissioner; Carly Mathieu, ABMC Superintendent; Gretchen Wronka, Next-of-Kin. More information will be available soon. |
|
September 19, 2023 RSVP is required for entry to this free event. Click the link for more details and to reserve, RSVP invitation link will close September 17, 2023. |
| November 3, 2023 Documentary Screening at the National Museum of the American Indian, New York City, New York. Guests: Charlotte Josnard, ABMC Museum Curator; Karen Wurzburger, ABMC Director of Visitor Services and Interpretation. More information will be available soon. |
The American Battle Monuments Commission operates and maintains 26 cemeteries and 32 federal memorials, monuments, and commemorative plaques in 17 countries throughout the world, including the United States. The four memorials in the United States are: the World War I Memorial in Washington, D.C.; the Honolulu memorial located within the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific in Honolulu, Hawaii; the West Coast Memorial located within the Presidio National Park in San Francisco, Calif; and the East Coast Memorial located within Battery City Park in New York City, New York. Since March 4, 1923, ABMC’s sacred mission remains to honor the service, achievements, and sacrifice of more than 200,000 U.S. service members buried and memorialized at our sites.