Workers put the finishing touches on the area around sculptor Sabin Howard’s “A Soldier’s Journey” at the National World War I Memorial in Washington in preparation for its unveiling Friday, Sept. 13, 2024. The 60-foot-long bronze sculpture consists of 38 figures depicting a battle scene from the Great War. Before its installation, a painting of the sculpture had temporarily adorned the wall. (Joe Gromelski/Special to Stars and Stripes)

After eight years in the making, acclaimed master sculptor Sabin Howard’s “A Soldier’s Journey”, will be unveiled with the First Illumination ceremony on Friday at 7:15 p.m. ET. It is the final piece to complete the National World War I Memorial in Washington D.C.

The 25-ton, 60-foot-long bronze monument depicts five scenes and 38 larger-than-life-size human figures and tells two narratives: the soldier’s personal experience during WWI, and America’s journey. The sculpture represents the parallel of each own’s development through the conflict.

During the unveiling ceremony, the United States Army Band “Pershing’s Own” and bugle corps in WWI uniforms will perform along with a candle-lighting to exemplify the memorial’s permanent illumination.

The World War I Centennial Commission (WWICC) and the Doughboy Foundation will continue to celebrate the monument’s completion and unveiling with a World War I Living History Weekend, Friday through Sunday. The general public can either attend in-person at the adjacent Freedom Plaza or join virtually on the WWICC’s website where the live event will be streaming.

Throughout the weekend, attendees and online viewers can learn about the impact of WWI on the United States through historical presentations by WWI reenactors including the Hello Girls. For those attending in person, there will also be a chance to view displays of authentic WWI vehicles by the National WWI Mobile Museum.

In addition to the festivities, there will be live performances by world-renowned musicians led by the American Expeditionary Forces Headquarters Band as well as the Community Bands of Westmoreland County, Pa., and the Old Guard Fife and Drum Corps.