CPL JAMES B. GRESHAM, KNOWN AS “BETHEL” WAS THE FIRST AMERICAN KILLED IN WW I ON 3 NOVEMBER 1917.  HE WAS BURIED IN FRANCE AND REPATRIATED TO THE UNITED STATES FOLLOWING THE WAR FOR BURIAL IN HIS HOMETOWN OF EVANSVILLE, IN. THE WREATH LAYING CEREMONY WILL REPRESENT THE 100 YEAR ANNIVERSARY OF THE DEATH OF CPL GRESHAM. THE CEREMONY WILL CONSIST OF A HISTORICAL REVIEW OF THE DEATH OF THE SOLDIER, HIS REPATRIATION, AND CONSTRUCTION OF THE CENOTAPH BY DR. JAMES GLASS, FORMER DEPUTY STATE HISTORIC PRESERVATION OFFICER.  GREETINGS FROM THE GOVERNOR WILL BE PRESENTED BY MR. JOE ELSENER, DIRECTOR OF INTRAGOVERNMENTAL AFFAIRS, STATE OF INDIANA.  THE WREATH LAYING CEREMONY WILL BE PRESENTED BY MRS. LOIS HUNTINGTON, INDIANA STATE REGENT, DAUGHTERS OF THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION, AND MEMBERS OF THE OFFICIAL PARTY. THE CEREMONY WILL BE HELD AT 9:30 ON 3 NOVEMBER 2017. THE CEREMONY WILL TAKE PLACE AT THE CENOTAPH ON THE NORTH SIDE OF AMERICAN LEGION MALL BETWEEN MERIDIAN AND PENNSYLVANIA STREETS. THIS AREA IS ALSO KNOWN AS THE “SUNKEN GARDENS.” THIS EVENT IS PART OF THE INDIANA WORLD WAR ONE CENTENNIAL COMMITTEE WHICH HAS ORGANIZED EVENTS ACROSS THE STATE TO CELEBRATE 100 YEARS FROM 6 APRIL 1917 WHEN THE UNITED STATES ENTERED THE WAR AND CONCLUDED ON 11 NOVEMBER 1918. APPROXIMATELY 135,000 HOOSIERS SERVED IN THIS WAR AND 3,300 SERVICE MEMBERS PAID THE ULTIMATE SACRIFICE.   FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION CONTACT BRIGADIER GENERAL J. STEWART GOODWIN, USAF (RET) AT 317 502 5372 OR SGOODWIN@IWM.IN.GOV