Doughboy Foundation Honors Local Service and ‘Hello Girls’ Legacy at 2026 CAA Championship Games

During the 2026 Coastal Athletic Association (CAA) Basketball Championships at CareFirst Arena in Washington, D.C., the Doughboy Foundation continued its proud tradition of honoring those who serve our nation and community. This year’s “Hometown Hero” recognitions highlighted exceptional military and community service during the tournament’s most high-profile matchups.

On March 10, during the Men’s Championship, the Foundation honored Major General (retired) Christopher Leins, a 35-year U.S. Army veteran and former Director for Politico-Military Affairs on the Joint Staff, for his steadfast support of the National WWI Memorial.

On March 15, the focus shifted to the Women’s Championship, where the Hometown Hero Award was presented to Colonel Linda Jantzen (retired), U.S. Army Signal Corps, whose lifelong dedication and community spirit perfectly embody the values that the Doughboy Foundation and the CAA strive to celebrate. Jantzen was an invaluable member of the team that helped pursuade Congress to award a Congressional Gold Medal to the World War I U.S. Army Signal Corps female telephone operators, known as the “Hello Girls”.

The National Anthem for both championship games was performed by buglers from the Doughboy Foundation, bringing the solemnity of the National WWI Memorial directly to the court. On March 10, Ryan Brewer, a premier D.C. based military bandsman and Foundation bugler since 2021, delivered a stirring rendition.

On March 15, Christina Alegre performed the anthem, offering a powerful tribute that coincided with the championship’s celebration of women’s sports. Christina has been a cornerstone of the Foundation’s advocacy, notably as a member of the “Call on the Hill” team. By attending Congressional meetings in an authentic “Hello Girl” uniform—including the original service cap of Chief Operator Grace Banker—she helped put a human face on the history of WWI female signalers for lawmakers.

Doughboy Foundation bugler Christina Alegre performs the National Anthem at the Coastal Athletic Association (CAA) Women’s Basketball Championship on March 15, 2026, wearing an authentic World War I “Hello Girl” uniform.

These performances and honors served as a poignant reminder of the successful effort to secure the Hello Girls Congressional Gold Medal, which was officially awarded on March 19, 2025. Christina’s role in securing the necessary cosponsors for the legislation, combined with her daily musical tributes at the Memorial, underscores the Foundation’s mission to keep the story of the 4.7 million Americans who served in WWI alive.  Watch Alegre’s Performance of the National Anthem before the game.

Through this high-profile partnership with the CAA, the Doughboy Foundation continues to bridge the gap between historic sacrifice and modern-day community engagement, ensuring that the legacy of heroes like the Hello Girls and our modern Hometown Heroes remains in the public eye.

Join Us in Honoring Their Legacy: We invite you to visit the National WWI Memorial in person or online to learn more about our Hometown Heroes. You can also sign up for Daily Taps notifications by subscribing to our YouTube channel ensuring that the sound of remembrance is never silenced.  We also invite you to support the Hello Girls Military Honors and Remembrance Program so we may continue honoring the 280 Hello Girls at their burial sites around the U.S. and Canada.

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