Description
Arlington County commemorated the centennial of World War I in 2018, 100 years after the Great War ended. The war erupted in Europe in July 1914 when nationalist rivalries resulted in a catastrophic struggle among the major European nations. By the end of the war over 40 nations participated along with their colonies around the world.
The United State entered the war in April 1917. It took a year to raise, train, and ship our army–the American Expeditionary Forces –to Europe. ultimately five million Americans served in uniform and about half were deployed to France to face German troops. Over nine million women also mobilized to serve in the military and relieve men from non-combat duties at home and abroad and to serve as nurses and telephone operators in the theaters of war.
Arlington County, then called Alexandria County, was a small rural community of about 12,000. During the war, the US relied on the first military draft since the Civil War. All men between the ages of 21-31 were required to register for military service. A total of 2,488 Arlington men registered and about 2,200 Arlingtonians served in the war.
The fighting ended with the Armistice at 11:00 AM French time on 11 November, the 11th month, the 11th day, at the 11th hour. In 2018, Arlington County marked with anniversary of the end of the war as a community to commemorate the service and sacrifice of Arlingtonians during the war.
As part of the commemoration, a coin was designed and sold to help defray costs and serve as a reminder of World War I servicemen and women. The coin is two inches in diameter and comes in a black felt box.
The Front
The coin features a US soldier standing in a trench with the US flag flying overhead. Trenches became an identifying feature of World War I battle tactics as each side dug into the earth to protect themselves from heavy firepower.
- On the left at the base of the trench wall are four red poppies, representing the four years of war. Red poppies growing near battlefields in France have long been a symbol of WWI remembrance.
- The soldier is looking down in a pose of respect for those who sacrificed
- Around the image is gold lettering on a blue background that says: “The Great War” at the top with “1914” (the year it began) and “1918” (the year it ended).
- At the bottom the gold lettering says: “100th Year Commemoration”
The Back
The other side of the coin depicts an image of the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier” at Arlington National Cemetery. The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier was established after World War I and a fallen US soldier from the European theater of war was the first interment.
- The Tomb is shown being guarded by one of the Sentinels of the elite 3rd US Infantry Regiment (the Old Guard).
- On the Tomb are the words “Here rests in honored glory an American soldier known but to God,” the same words that are on the Tomb.
- At the top in gold lettering on the blue background is “World war I”
- At the bottom in gold lettering on the blue background is “Arlington Remembers”
- Six gold laurel wreaths represent victory, distinction, eternity, and immortality.
A pamphlet describing Arlington’s commemoration program, and other county monuments to World War I is included with your purchase of this coin.
Every purchase you make here on this website helps support the AHS mission to strengthen our community by building a better understanding of local history.
