Supreme Sacrifice - Foundation Conversations

Join public historian Lily Comstive as she explores Galveston’s deep connections to World War I and the ways the island community chose to honor its fallen. In her lecture, “Supreme Sacrifice: Remembering the Great War in Galveston, Texas,” Lily will discuss the history and meaning of the city’s memorial efforts—including the Honor Roll Monument along the Seawall, the Memorial Oak plaques once lining Broadway, and the 2018 historical marker at the University of Texas Medical Branch campus.

Drawing on her ongoing research, Lily examines how Galveston residents responded to both the outbreak and conclusion of the war, revealing the values and motivations behind these acts of remembrance. Her presentation highlights the significance of reinstating the original Memorial Oak plaques on the island to fulfill their intended purpose: honoring and remembering the seventy-six Galveston soldiers who gave their lives during the Great War.