National Museum of the United States Army

World War I forced the United States and the Army to confront two unprecedented questions: how to care for more than 80,000 American war dead overseas, and how to memorialize a conflict fought far from home. From this challenge emerged the Battle Monuments Board—an Army-led effort that evolved into the modern American Battle Monuments Commission (ABMC).
In this History Talk, trace the Army’s foundational role in American memorialization, from General John J. Pershing’s influence and the symbolism of white marble crosses to debates over repatriation and permanent overseas burial. Follow the transition from a military program to a civilian agency, the expansion of memorial efforts after World War II, collaboration with the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency, and modern-day Memorial Day commemorations worldwide.
Together, these stories reveal how the Army helped shape not only how America fights wars, but how it remembers them.
This program will be presented by Benjamin D. Brands, Ph.D., Historian, and Liz DeLucia, Training and Education Officer, at the American Battle Monuments Commission.

Local Event: History Talk - From Combat to Commemoration: The U.S. Army and America’s Overseas Cemeteries

Fairfax County

Greater Alexandria

Virginia

History Talk - From Combat to Commemoration:...

World War I forced the United States and the Army to confront two unprecedented questions: how to care for more than 80,000...

History Talk - From Combat to Commemoration: The U.S. Army and America’s Overseas Cemeteries

As the nation prepares to celebrate America 250, the National Army Museum presents a symposium focused on the middle years of the Revolutionary War, 1777-79, exploring the victories and defeats of this critical period in the fight for independence.
These three grueling years saw events of triumph and despair, “times that tried men’s souls,” during the struggle for independence. The summer and fall of 1777 saw the war’s decisive American victories in the sprawling Saratoga Campaign and the surrender of a major British field army, but the season also included George Washington’s defeats in Pennsylvania at Brandywine, Germantown, and the enemy’s capture of Philadelphia. American Soldiers endured months of cold weather, inadequate supplies, and disease in their frigid camps at Valley Forge in 1778, but by the encampment’s end late that spring, a better trained, more confident Army had emerged.
In 1778, Americans also celebrated an invaluable military alliance with France and a well-fought battle by Washington’s improved regiments at Monmouth Courthouse, New Jersey. Still, in 1779, British forces raided Atlantic coastlines, a New England expedition against British-held Maine was a disaster, and a Franco-American army failed to capture British held Savannah in Georgia. Despite the much-welcomed assistance from France, the war was far from over.

Local Event: Symposium - Struggle for Independence, 1777-79

Symposium - Struggle for Independence, 1777-79

As the nation prepares to celebrate America 250, the National Army Museum presents a symposium focused on the middle years of...

In the lead-up to the Revolutionary War, Patrick Henry of Virginia was known as a strong Patriot and advocate for independence. He is most famous for his “Give me liberty or give me death” speech in early 1775, but he also had difficult military experiences during the war. Learn about Henry’s wartime efforts and challenges from military historian John Maass.
John R. Maass, Ph.D., is an education specialist and historian at the National Museum of the United States Army. He received a Ph.D. from the Ohio State University in early U.S. and military history. His most recent book is “From Trenton to Yorktown: Turning Points of the Revolutionary War.” (2025).

Local Event: Battle Brief - Patrick Henry's Revolutionary War

Battle Brief - Patrick Henry's Revolutionary War

In the lead-up to the Revolutionary War, Patrick Henry of Virginia was known as a strong Patriot and advocate for independence....

In “The Battle of Manila,” Nicholas Sarantakes offers the first in-depth account of this crucial campaign from the American, Japanese, and Filipino perspectives. Fighting was building by building, with both sides forced to adapt to the new combat environment. None of the U.S. units that entered Manila had any previous training in urban warfare—yet, as Sarantakes shows, they learned on the fly how to use tanks, flamethrowers, and air and artillery assets in support of infantry assaults. Their effective use of these weapons was an important factor in limiting U.S. casualties, even as it may also have contributed to a catastrophic loss of civilian lives.
Nicholas Evan Sarantakes, Ph.D., is an associate professor in the strategy and policy department at the U.S. Naval War College. He is the author of four books, including “Dropping the Torch: Jimmy Carter, the Olympic Boycott, and the Cold War.”

Local Event: Book Talk - "The Battle of Manila: Poisoned Victory in the Pacific War," by Nicholas Sarantakes

Book Talk - "The Battle of Manila: Poisoned...

In “The Battle of Manila,” Nicholas Sarantakes offers the first in-depth account of this crucial campaign from the American,...

Book Talk - "The Battle of Manila: Poisoned Victory in the Pacific War," by Nicholas Sarantakes

Generations of Americans have used military service to expand notions of citizenship and advance civil rights. As a result, military service has become a tool to broaden the concept of “the people” and what it means to be an American.
During World War I, over 200 women served the American Expeditionary Forces as telephone operators connecting calls between the front line and higher headquarters. The women, nicknamed the “Hello Girls,” worked tirelessly, under at times combat conditions as the first women to actively support combat operations.
In this History Talk explore the commitment, sacrifices, and challenges of the Hello Girls and how their service paved the way for women’s right to vote.

Local Event: History Talk - The Hello Girls in World War I

History Talk - The Hello Girls in World War I

Generations of Americans have used military service to expand notions of citizenship and advance civil rights. As a result,...

NMUSA Programs and Education

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Groveton

Mount Vernon

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Kingstowne-Rose Hill

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Michelle Witte

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April 18:  SPRINGTIME EVENT HOSTED BY THE MOUNT VERNON  LODGE #219.  
 8:00 AM to 2:00 PM
COMMUNITY  EVENT:  YOU WILL FIND...

Vintage, Antique & Artisan Market on Fort Hunt Road

EVENT HOSTED BY THE MOUNT VERNON  LODGE #219.  
 8:00 AM to 2:00 PM
COMMUNITY SPRNGTIME EVENT:  YOU WILL FIND - Antique,...

Vintage, Antique, & Artisan Market

SPRINGTIME MARKET EVENT:  Antique, Vintage, as well as Crafters/Artisan Vendors, Practical (new/used), & Refreshments for...

VINTAGE ANTIQUE ARTISAN MARKET (Fort Hunt Road, Alexandria, VA)

This Saturday, April 18th, join the Alexandria Choral Society’s chamber ensemble, Pro Coro Alexandria, for History Has Its Eyes...

Pro Coro Alexandria: History Has Its Eyes On You

Join us for an evening of made-up-on-the-spot improv comedy! We'll be calling on you to give us suggestions for a totally...

Improv Comedy show

One of Old Town’s most beloved traditions, the Garden Club of Virginia’s Historic Garden Week Tour, ushers in the spring season...

Old Town Alexandria’s Annual Spring Home and Garden Tour Showcases Historic Homes with Storied Pasts

Wonder, the food delivery platform to satisfy every craving, is opening a new location in Hybla Valley! They're planning a...

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Posting Activity

History Talk - From Combat to Commemoration: The U.S. Army and America’s Overseas Cemeteries

MAY

6

12:00 PM

National Museum of the United States Army, 1775 Liberty Dr, Fort Belvoir, VA

Symposium - Struggle for Independence, 1777-79

MAY

8

8:30 AM

National Museum of the United States Army, 1775 Liberty Dr, Fort Belvoir, VA

Battle Brief - Patrick Henry's Revolutionary War

MAY

12

12:00 PM

National Museum of the United States Army, 1775 Liberty Dr, Fort Belvoir, VA

Book Talk - "The Battle of Manila: Poisoned Victory in the Pacific War," by Nicholas Sarantakes

MAY

21

7:00 PM

Greater Alexandria, VA

History Talk - The Hello Girls in World War I

MAY

28

12:00 PM

National Museum of the United States Army, 1775 Liberty Dr, Fort Belvoir, VA

Vintage, Antique & Artisan Market on Fort Hunt Road

Vintage, Antique, & Artisan Market

VINTAGE ANTIQUE ARTISAN MARKET (Fort Hunt Road, Alexandria, VA)

Pro Coro Alexandria: History Has Its Eyes On You

Improv Comedy show

Old Town Alexandria’s Annual Spring Home and Garden Tour Showcases Historic Homes with Storied Pasts

Wonder Grand Opening Week in Hybla Valley — Join Us 4/27-4/30!