Although invited , General Pershing declined an invitation to attend the July 4 opening ceremony with a letter of apology .
the park was named for General John J. Pershing , associating it with the previous use of the grounds as a World War I military training ground .
Although invited , General   declined an invitation to attend the July 4 opening ceremony with a letter of apology .
the park was named for General John J. Pershing , associating it with the previous use of the grounds as a World War I military training ground .