Doughboy Foundation 2026 Annual Symposium: "Unsung Heroes"

Doughboy Foundation Annual Symposium:  “Unsung Heroes”
Friday, September 18, 2025; 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

Join the Doughboy Foundation for our Annual Symposium:  Unsung Heroes.   This event honors the often overlooked individuals who shaped the Great War.  Explore vital logistical support, the legacy of American Indian code talkers and modern military traditions.  The event will include a full day of panels, speakers and networking on "Unsung Heroes" from the award-winning authors and presenters.  

The Symposium will wrap up with a short walk to the National World War I Memorial, where attendees will get a brief history of the "A Soldier's Journey" sculpture.   Following daily Taps at 5 p.m., everyone is invited to our final concert of our Summer Concert Series:  "From Ragtime to Swing, American Finds its Rhythm" from 5:05 - 6:00 p.m.

Location:  Fourth Estate Room, National Press Club, 529 14th St. NW Washington, DC

Cost:  $74 Standard Registration

          $50 Early Bird Registration (now through August 21 – limited tickets available)

          $25 Military/Veteran/Student (must show military ID or student ID at symposium check-in – limited tickets available)

SYMPOSIUM AGENDA:

9:00  - 9:30 AM   |  Registration, Continental Breakfast and Networking  

9:30  - 9:35 AM   | Welcome

Clair S. Sassin, President & CEO, Doughboy Foundation

9: 35 - 10:50 AM  | Panel:  Getting it Done, Supporting the Troops in WWI

A moderated deep-dive into the essential logistics and support networks of the Great War:

Jerri  Bell, Golden 14 Yeomen, Navy's First Enlisted Black Women

Susan Watson, The American Red Cross Motor Corps

10:50 - 11:00 AM  |  Break

11:00 - 11:50 AM   |  Panel:  Music - History of the Bugle

Presentation and demonstration by:

Kevin Paul, U.S. Army Band, Doughboy Foundation

Chris Gekker, Professor, University of Maryland

11:50 - 12 noon  | Break

12 - 1:15 PM | Catered Box Lunch and Book Signings

1:15 - 3:00 PM | Afternoon Panel:  Impact of American Code Talkers in WWI Through Modern Time

Erin Fehr, American Indians in WWI

Sarah Elisabeth Sawyer, Choctaw Code Talkers

Timothy Hunts-In-Winter, WWI Sioux Code Talkers: Albert Grass and Richard Blue Earth

3:00 - 3:15 PM | Break

3:15 - 4:00 PM  |  Closing Speaker  |  How We Honor our Military Today

Guest speaker to be announced soon!

4:00 - 4:10 PM  | Closing Remarks

4:10 - 4:30 PM  |  Free Time and Adjourn to National World War I Memorial 

4:30 - 4:45 PM  |  Explore the National WWI Memorial, "A Soldier's Journey"

5:00 PM - Taps

5:05 - 6 PM  |  Doughboy Foundation's Final Concert of the Summer:  " From Ragtime to Swing, America Finds it's Rhythm"