On Friday, September 13th, Grunley was honored to attend the illumination ceremony unveiling “A Soldier’s Journey” at our recently completed National WWI Memorial in Washington, D.C. project. The ceremony began with Retired Army Captain Christopher Rehnberg ringing a bell in tribute to the 116,708 Americans who lost their lives in World War I, followed by 20 buglers from the American Expeditionary Forces Headquarters Band who performed an opening fanfare dressed in period uniforms. The program featured remarks from key figures, including Daniel Dayton, Executive Director of the U.S. World War One Centennial Commission; Rev. Dr. Margaret Grun Kibben, Chaplain of the U.S. House of Representatives; Edwin Fountain, former Vice Chairman of the U.S. World War One Centennial Commission; Joseph Weishaar, Lead Designer; and Sabin Howard, the sculptor of “A Soldier’s Journey.” As Howard narrated, each scene of the sculpture was illuminated in sequence.

Additional speeches were given by Terry Hamby, Chairman of the U.S. World War One Centennial Commission; Jeff Reinbold, Superintendent of National Mall and Memorial Parks; and Ted Poe, former U.S. Congressman. The candle-lit ceremony concluded with the solemn playing of “Taps” and a reflective reading by Dr. Libby Haight O’Connell, Commissioner of the U.S. World War One Centennial Commission.

This sacred site is dedicated to honoring the sacrifice of more than four million Americans who served during World War I. This moment stands as a reminder of their heroism and the importance of preserving history for future generations.