Supporting the World War I Museum
The Sixth Congressional District is home to many noteworthy figures of American history. Walt Disney developed his love of drawing in Marceline. J.C. Penney got his start in Hamilton. Last week, the last remaining "doughboy" from the First World War passed away. He was one of many soldiers who hailed from our area.
Of course, the Sixth Congressional District is home to John J. Pershing who was born in Laclede in Linn County. "Black Jack" Pershing commanded the American Expeditionary Force (AEF) of World War I. The AEF fought alongside British and French allies on the Western front.
After the war, the Liberty Memorial was dedicated on November 1, 1921, in Kansas City. It was the only time in history that Supreme Allied Commanders were together in one place - including John J. Pershing. It is an iconic symbol of Kansas City, and sadly, one of the only memorials in our country to the Great War.
I was proud to work with Representative Emanuel Cleaver to pass H.R. 1849 out of the House last year to designate the Liberty Memorial and the National World War I Museum in Kansas City as the official National World War I Memorial. However, the Senate did not pass the bill, and we will have to reintroduce it.
If you have not already, I encourage you to visit and take your child or grandchild. Our obligation to history is to remember those who paid the ultimate price for freedom and to avoid the mistakes that made it necessary.
Sincerely,
