The Salvation Army Honors U.S. Troops & Doughnut Lassies at Arlington National Cemetery
Under the banner of "STILL HERE, STILL SERVING," The Salvation Army held a wreath-laying ceremony at the gravesite of General John J. Pershing in Arlington National Cemetery on Sunday, May 16th, 2021. See the full ceremony in the video below.
More about this event:
In 1917, General John J. Pershing permitted some 250 Salvation Army officers to cross the Atlantic Ocean and serve U.S. soldiers at the front lines of WWI. Famously known as ‘Doughnut Lassies,’ these officers would provide comfort food, drinks, and moral support to soldiers returning from the horrors of trench warfare.
At the end of National Salvation Army Week, May 16, 2021, The Salvation Army will laid a wreath at the gravesite of General John J. Pershing.
Under the banner of ‘Still Here, Still Serving,’ this wreath-laying ceremony will reaffirm The Salvation Army’s commitment to serving veterans and the American people while honoring the U.S. Armed Forces and General John J. Pershing for their friendship and service during some of the darkest times in world history.
The event served as the culmination of National Salvation Army Week 2021.
More about the impact of Salvation Army Doughnut Lassies:
When U.S. soldiers returned from the front lines of WWI, they did not forget the comfort of deep-friend confectionary served by the Doughnut Lassies. Hence, the popularization of the doughnut came shortly after the end of the first World War. The Doughnut Lassies also set a new standard for civilian support of military during wartime, laid the groundwork for Salvation Army officers to become chaplains for the U.S. Armed Forces, and inspired the creation of the United Service Organizations (USO).
In commemoration of the Doughnut Lassies and the troops who served during WWI, The Salvation Army in Chicago celebrated the first "National Donut Day" in 1938 to help communities struggling because of the Great Depression. Since then, Americans continue to celebrate National Donut Day on the first Friday of June each year. The Salvation Army uses the occasion each year to celebrate the work of the original Doughnut Lassies by delivering donuts to communities in need, partners in the fight for good, and members of the U.S. Armed Forces.
On Friday, June 4, 2021, The Salvation Army will thank the men and women on the front lines of the coronavirus pandemic by delivering donuts and hope. We encourage everyone to involved locally and help us celebrate this most delicious day by doing good for others.
*Photos courtesy of The Salvation Army National Archives
