On Hallowed Ground: The American Battle Monuments Commission - Ben Brands

Established in 1923 by Congress, the American Battle Monuments Commission (ABMC) was founded to oversee the construction of commemorative monuments for the American Expeditionary Forces. Within a decade, the Commission’s responsibilities expanded from building memorial chapels in the eight permanent military cemeteries in Europe to the total management and maintenance of these sacred spaces - tasks originally conducted by the War Department. Nearly a quarter of the 124,000 American war dead interred in ABMC cemeteries served during the Great War. This talk will explore the origins and evolution of the ABMC’s commemorative work over the last century.
Presentation given as part of the National WWI Museum and Memorial's 2023 Symposium Milestones & Cornerstones
For more information about the National WWI Museum and Memorial visit theworldwar.org