Legion representative keynote speaker at “Bells of Peace” ceremony.
Legionnaire John “Jack” Monahan was “honored” to serve as the keynote speaker during the “Bells of Peace” ceremony Nov. 11 at the new National World War I Memorial in Washington, D.C. Sponsored by the Doughboy Foundation, “Bells of Peace” commemorates the end of the war each Veterans Day.
From 2017 to 2024, Monahan – of Essex, Conn. – served as The American Legion’s representative to the U.S. World War One Centennial Commission, of which the Legion is a commemorative sponsor. He also attended the memorial’s “First Illumination” event in September.
During his Nov. 11 remarks, Monahan described the war as “the hinge which turned the history of the 20th century.” Referring to the 60-foot bronze sculpture behind him, he continued, “The soldier … is the archetypal citizen soldier, the lineal descendant of the minuteman, aware of his civic responsibility and embracing it.”
See the entire ceremony here: Monahan’s remarks begin just over 44 minutes in.
- Honor & Remembrance