"When the United States entered the Great War in 1917, John Hezekiah ("Hezzie") Pattrick was working in Washington, D.C., attending George Washington University. On May 18, President Wilson signed the Selective Service Act, and Hezzie went to the War Department to volunteer for civilian support work, one of the first to do so. Ten days later on May 28, 1917, Hezzie sailed with General John Pershing on the Baltic in the first detachment of American troops to France. This exhibit tells part of his story through his letters home to Mother and Dad, his photographs and postcards, and items worn, used and collected by him."