“Duty, honor and country.” Words to live by for hundreds of West Point graduates, including renowned General John Pershing. The West Point motto was his inspiration as he commanded the American Expeditionary Forces during World War I. To lead the U.S. to victory, he had to keep his troops overseas engaged physically and mentally and not distracted by homesickness. 

In 1917, he agreed to a request from Evangeline Booth, The Salvation Army’s Commander, to send her “army” to the frontlines in France. These Salvation Army “lassies” made a huge difference in the morale of the soldiers. The lassies read to the soldiers and wrote letters to their loved ones back home. They mended uniforms and held Bible classes. And they gave them a little taste of home cooking, making delicious donuts.

To this day, The Salvation Army honors General Pershing with a wreath laying at his grave in Arlington National Cemetery every year to remember not only his bravery as a commander, but also his heart for his soldiers. The ceremony this year was marked by performances from the United States Army Band (“Pershing’s Own”) and the JROTC Color Guard from McKinley Technology High School in Washington D.C.  

Van Hipp Jr., Chairman of American Defense International and former Deputy Secretary of the Army, said in his remarks, “When the storms of life come and someone has hit rock bottom and feels like they have no hope, The Salvation Army is there.”  

Attendees also heard from Eric Yanes, who honorably served in the United States Marine Corps but later fell into substance abuse, sinking his livelihood and family into hard times. However, with the help of The Salvation Army’s Adult Rehabilitation Center, he has reconnected with his family and created a positive life. Not taking his journey for granted, he said, with emotion, “I love my mundane life.”

This annual wreath laying ceremony with The Salvation Army and the United States Military honors General Pershing for beginning this partnership. Today it continues, as a deeply relevant and important relationship, that comes alongside veterans and service members in meaningful and life-changing ways.