I Corps and Joint Base Lewis-McChord will commemorate Patriots Day with Massing of the Colors integrated into the ceremony Sept. 11.

The Massing of the Colors ceremony originated with The Society of the Massing of the Colors, which was organized by distinguished military officers, veterans and civic leaders at the end of World War I, on Armistice Day in 1922. The Military Order of the World Wars (MOWW) eventually took over control and promotion of the ceremony.

While Massing of the Colors ceremonies are seemingly decreasing nationwide - for instance, Portland, Ore. will be discontinuing the ceremony next year after holding one for the past 50 years - the local Puget Sound chapter of the MOWW is working to avoid that.

"Lt. Col. (Ret.) Don Campell, our chapter commander, is leading a gallant effort to keep the Massing of the Colors alive," said retired Maj. Gen. John Hemphill, who is also a part of the MOWW staff.

The MOWW had petitioned to move the Massing of the Colors onto JBLM in 2004 and over the last eight years it has moved locations across the base, to include Soldiers Field House, Carey Theater and one of the baseball fields. It has also shifted dates, from Armed Forces Week, to the 4th of July and finally to become part of a Presidents Day celebration ... until this year, when I Corps Commander Lt. Gen. Robert Brown agreed to integrate the Massing of the Colors with JBLM's Patriot Day commemoration.

"It is a patriotic and serious ceremony meant to honor those that are serving and those who have died," said Hemphill.

The participants, along with their respective colors, will assemble on Watkins Field at 3 p.m. Hemphill explained that the time was set for 3 p.m. in order to facilitate student attendance, like the various local JROTC units which will be performing as a combined color guard and carrying the American flag, otherwise referred to as the National Colors.

In addition to the MOWW, the Military Officers Association of America, Rainier Chapter; Tacoma Council Navy League; McChord Air Force Base Chapter, Air Force Association; and Captain Meriwether Lewis Chapter, Association of the United States Army will also be represented at the ceremony by one member who carries its respective colors. Other leaders and members of the patriotic civilian organizations are invited to attend as guests but will not be permitted on the field.

The 2013 Massing of the Colors will also include the colors of a division headquarters, 11 brigades, 39 battalions and 27 National Guard (Air and Army) organizations.

Maj. Gen. Kenneth R. Dahl, I Corps Deputy Commanding General, will serve as the reviewing officer. Maj. Gen. Bret D. Daugherty, adjutant general for the state of Washington, will also be on the reviewing stand.

Parking for the event will be available on North 3rd Street and North 4th Street, between Pendleton Avenue and Liggett Avenue. The registration tent will be located along Liggett Avenue, across from Watkins Field. The event is open to the public but does require base access.