Like his peers who received the Legion's Distinguished Service Medal in 1921, Bertrand paid tribute to the Allies' achievement. As secretary of France's largest veteran organization and president of the developing Inter-Allied Veterans Association, he wanted to maintain that unity during peacetime.

Commander in chief of the Italian army, Diaz was among the many World War I leaders to travel to Kansas City for the groundbreaking of the Liberty Memorial in 1921. He also visited the tomb of President Theodore Roosevelt to express his appreciation for the United States' contributions in the Great War. As reported by The New York Times, Diaz commented, "At the tomb of Roosevelt it is not fitting to make a speech, but only to express the deepest regard.

Conveying his gratitude to the Allied forces was foremost in the mind of Jacques, commander in chief of the Belgian army, during his 1921 visit to the United States. While stateside, he attended The American Legion's convention in Kansas City and visited Arlington National Cemetery to place his own Belgian Croix de Guerre (War Cross) at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.

Beatty, who became commander in chief of Britain's Grand Fleet late in World War I, was quick to stress the importance of Allied strength, even in times of peace.

In March 1918, after the Germans had displayed their strength in a series of successful offensives, Foch became supreme commander of the Allied armies. Charged with keeping them intact and holding back the Germans, he drew on a lifetime's experience as a soldier. In 1871, he joined the French army at 20, attended a war college and eventually became an instructor there. Forced out of retirement, he became a key French figure in World War I. In August 1918, Foch was named marshal of France.