World War I Wreath Laying Tribute to the States and Territories
The U.S. World War One Centennial Commission hosted a series of commemorative events on Veterans Day weekend, beginning with a wreath-laying tribute to the states and territories that sent Americans to fight in the Great War 100 years ago. Photos by Eric Kruszewski![Jonathan Elias, evening anchor at WJLA-TV and Army War College instructor, emcees a wreath-laying ceremony at Pershing Park in Washington, D.C., on Nov. 8, 2018.](https://www.legion.org/sites/legion.org/files/styles/scale800w/public/legion/photo-album/110818_Bells%20of%20Peace%20Women%20and%20Minorities_03.jpg?itok=f3_OgGfn)
Jonathan Elias, evening anchor at WJLA-TV and Army War College instructor, emcees a wreath-laying ceremony at Pershing Park in Washington, D.C., on Nov. 8, 2018.
![Representatives of each U.S. state and territory place wreaths in honor of Americans who served in World War I during a ceremony at Pershing Park in Washington, D.C., on Nov. 8, 2018.](https://www.legion.org/sites/legion.org/files/styles/scale800w/public/legion/photo-album/110818_Bells%20of%20Peace%20Women%20and%20Minorities_07.jpg?itok=Oz0z9ZFf)
Representatives of each U.S. state and territory place wreaths in honor of Americans who served in World War I during a ceremony at Pershing Park in Washington, D.C., on Nov. 8, 2018.
![The U.S. Army Band](https://www.legion.org/sites/legion.org/files/styles/scale800w/public/legion/photo-album/110818_Bells%20of%20Peace%20Women%20and%20Minorities_08.jpg?itok=MsnTvNIL)
The U.S. Army Band "Pershing's Own" Brass Quintet plays patriotic music during a wreath-laying ceremony at Pershing Park in Washington, D.C., on Nov. 8, 2018.
![VA Secretary Robert Wilkie, center, and event emcee Jonathan Elias, evening anchor at WJLA-TV, right, observe a moment of silence after placing a wreath in memory of America's World War I veterans at Pershing Park in Washington, D.C, on Nov. 8, 2018.](https://www.legion.org/sites/legion.org/files/styles/scale800w/public/legion/photo-album/110818_Bells%20of%20Peace%20Women%20and%20Minorities_09.jpg?itok=SNAXB1cD)
VA Secretary Robert Wilkie, center, and event emcee Jonathan Elias, evening anchor at WJLA-TV, right, observe a moment of silence after placing a wreath in memory of America's World War I veterans at Pershing Park in Washington, D.C, on Nov. 8, 2018.
![Wreaths representing every U.S. state and territory commemorate the 4.7 million Americans who served in World War I, of which 116,516 made the supreme sacrifice, during a ceremony at Pershing Park in Washington, D.C., on Nov. 8, 2018.](https://www.legion.org/sites/legion.org/files/styles/scale800w/public/legion/photo-album/110818_Bells%20of%20Peace%20Women%20and%20Minorities_12.jpg?itok=jLv7Ss6a)
Wreaths representing every U.S. state and territory commemorate the 4.7 million Americans who served in World War I, of which 116,516 made the supreme sacrifice, during a ceremony at Pershing Park in Washington, D.C., on Nov. 8, 2018.
![A](https://www.legion.org/sites/legion.org/files/styles/scale800w/public/legion/photo-album/110818_Bells%20of%20Peace%20Women%20and%20Minorities_14.jpg?itok=82L9tgCa)
A "First Look" pavilion gives visitors a preview of the sculptural wall that will be the centerpiece of the future National World War I Memorial at Pershing Park in Washington, D.C., on Nov. 8, 2018.