Several short films were shown, one narrated by Kevin Costner and another one by Gary Sinise were displayed on 25-foot tall screens. Ragtime music (popular back in 1917) was played plus there was military pomp and recitations as well as speeches by politicians.
Many who spoke talked about American sacrifice. By the end of the war in 1918, more than 9 million lives were lost in combat and Americans accounted for 116,000 of them in the short time we were involved.
Retired Army Col. Ribert Dalesandro, chairman of the U.S. World War I Centennial Commission told the crowd: "America entered the war to bring liberty, democracy and peace to the world after almost three years of unprecedented hardship, strife and horror. We still live in the long shadow of World War I in every aspect of our lives."
--Cooter
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