One-hundred years ago, on April 6, 1917, the U.S. entered World War I. To help people understand what was going on over here AND “Over There,” the Southlake Historical Society is sponsoring a World War I Centennial Commemoration from 1:30-2:30 p.m., Sunday, April 9, at the gazebo in Southlake Town Square. It’s a program all ages will learn from and enjoy. Everyone is invited, and the event is free.

We hope you will join us, and also spread the word about this program. Featured will be heartfelt letters sent home to Texas in 1917 and ’18 by a cowboy turned doughboy and letters sent to him by his mother, and the letters of a UT student who trained with the Royal Air Force and became a flying ace. Reading the letters will be Southlake Librarian Cynthia Pfledderer and Carroll grad and history buff Paul Porter, who will be dressed in an authentic WWI uniform.

A trio specializing in patriotic songs, The Sorta Sisters, will sing such favorites as “Over There,” “It’s a Long Way to Tipperary” and “K-K-K Katy.” They’ll also lead an audience sing-along. World War I soldiers’ sons, daughters and other family members in the audience will be recognized. There also will be a flag ceremony and a mayor’s proclamation. Everyone will receive a Buddy Poppy.

“We hope this program will inspire people to find their family’s connection to World War I,” said Anita Robeson of the Southlake Historical Society. “So dig out the old uniform and letters in the attic and discover the stories of Grandpa or Great-Grandpa’s service.

“Free resources online and in libraries and archives will tell you which unit your family member was in and where in France the unit fought. You will be in awe of what he and the others did.”

The Southlake Historical Society is planning an exhibit for summer 2018 that tells the stories of local men who went to war and their families and communities.