Explore the rich military history of Galveston Island. Honoring American veterans who have called Galveston County home. Join us as we journey through the 20th century conflicts, visiting monuments and locations that pay tribute to the brave men and women who served, sacrificed, and left an indelible mark on the fabric of our nation's history.
Explore the rich military history of Galveston Island. Honoring American veterans who have called Galveston County home. Join us as we journey through the 20th century conflicts, visiting monuments and locations that pay tribute to the brave men and women who served, sacrificed, and left an indelible mark on the fabric of our nation's history.
In honor of all American veterans. Galveston Island is no stranger to wars, battles and military operations, from the United States Navy driving the pirate Jean Le Fitt off of the island in 1820, to battles of the Texas Revolution and to the American Civil War. As we look back over the past two centuries, the island holds tales of resilience, sacrifice and honor that echo through our history. During the 20th century, galveston has been home to military forts, air bases, naval shipbuilders and a Navy base, and plenty of gun emplacements to protect Galveston Bay and Galveston Island, like Fort San Jacinto on the extreme east end of the island and under the San Luis Hotel, where massive gun batteries can still be seen Today. Our focus is on the American veterans who have called Galveston Island and Galveston County home, many of which left to serve their country and never returned. A tribute to the brave men and women who've donned the uniform, faced adversity and fought for our country, many of which never made it back home to Galveston Island. I'm going to share with you a few locations and monuments where you can pay your respects to those who didn't make it back home during the American Wars of the 20th century.
Speaker 0:Let's start with World War I, world War I also known as the Great War, was a global conflict that lasted from July 1914 to November 1918. The countries of France, russia and the United Kingdom were fighting the aggressors Germany, austria, hungary and Italy. The United States joined the conflict in 1917 due to Germany's unfettered aggression at sea, sinking any vessel that wasn't allied with Germany, as well as the interception of the Zimmerman Telegram, an encoded telegram sent from Germany to Mexico urging Mexico to start a war with the United States. That encoded telegram was actually relayed to Mexico from Galveston. The United States was involved in World War I from April 1917 to November 1918, and during that time over 4 million Americans served in the armed forces. Over 116,000 Americans lost their lives, not only due to combat but the harsh conditions of trench warfare. During World War I, 75 Galvestonians lost their lives, 74 men and one woman. A monument was dedicated to those who lost their lives in 1927. That monument can be found on the seawall between 27th and 28th Street on the extreme south side of Menard Park.
Speaker 0:World War II the Second World War occurred between 1939 and 1945. Another global conflict that involved the majority of the world's nations. There were two opposing alliances, known as the Axis and the Allies. The Allies consisted of the United States, the United Kingdom, the Soviet Union, china, france, canada, Australia, new Zealand, india, south Africa and Poland. The Axis powers consisted of Germany, italy, japan, hungary, romania, bulgaria and Finland, which was loosely associated. World War II was significant for the United States as America was at war on two fronts, with Japan in the South Pacific and Germany in Europe. The United States joined World War II in December of 1941 after Japan bombed a naval base known as Pearl Harbor located on the island of Oahu, hawaii. World War II. World War II had more than twice the amount of American casualties over World War I. Over 16 million Americans served in the armed forces during World War II, with over 416,000 American casualties throughout the four-year conflict. At the intersection of Broadway and 23rd Street you can find a monument dedicated to those who lost their lives during World War II from Galveston County. Well over 300 names of Galveston County residents who lost their lives during World War II are listed on this monument.
Speaker 0:The next two conflicts were direct results of the Cold War. The Cold War was a geopolitical and ideological standoff between the United States and the Soviet Union emerging in the aftermath of World War II. For the Cold War, the word cold reflects the absence of large-scale direct warfare, but signifies the persistent tensions and proxy wars between the two world superpowers. The Korean War the Korean War occurred between 1950 and 1953. A conflict between North Korea, supported by China, and the Soviet Union, against South Korea, backed by the United States. The Korean War is also known as the Forgotten War, as it was in the middle of two major conflicts World War II and the Vietnam War. Although nearly 6 million Americans served during the Korean War, over 36,000 Americans lost their lives during the Korean War. Galveston has a Korean War Memorial dedicated to the 51 men of Galveston County killed during the conflict, located on 20th Street between Mechanic and Market Street.
Speaker 0:The Vietnam War the Vietnam War occurred between 1955 and 1975. A prolonged conflict between North Vietnam, backed by the communist forces of the Soviet Union and China, against South Vietnam, supported by the anti-communist allies, primarily the United States. The war originated from the struggle for control over Vietnam and the ideological divide between communism and anti-communism during the Cold War. Nearly 9 million Americans served in the armed forces during the Vietnam conflict, with nearly 58,000 losing their lives during that war. A Vietnam War Memorial can be found at the Moody Gardens Hotel on Hope Boulevard and Jones Drive. The memorial honors 25 Galveston County residents who lost their lives during the Vietnam conflict.
Speaker 0:The largest and most interactive war memorials of Galveston is on Pelican Island, at Seawolf Park, at the Galveston Naval Museum, where you'll find the USS Cavala, a World War II submarine, and the USS Stuart, a World War II destroyer escort Both surviving relics of the largest American war of the 20th century and right in between those vessels at Seawolf Park is a veteran memorial. You are able to tour and explore these vessels and experience, even for just a little bit, what it was like to live aboard a war vessel. Desert Storm and Desert Shield, the last of the 20th century American conflicts. Desert Storm and Desert Shield occurred between 1990 and 1991, two closely related military operations conducted by a coalition of nations led by the United States in response to Iraq's invasion of Kuwait in 1990. During my research, I was not able to find an official war memorial in Galveston for Desert Storm and Desert Shield, which is why I think it's important next time you come across someone who served in the United States military to thank them for their service.
Speaker 0:As we conclude, I extend my deepest gratitude to the brave men and women who have served and sacrificed for our nation. To the veterans who, in the face of adversity, donned the uniform of one of the United States military branches and fought for the freedom we enjoy today, I urge you to go out and explore the monuments and locations that honor Galveston's rich military history and the brave men and women from Galveston County who never returned home. We are reminded that these stories of resilience, sacrifice and honor are etched into the very fabric of our nation. These monuments stand not only as a tribute to those who didn't make it back home, but as testaments to the enduring spirit of those who served here on Galveston Island.
Speaker 0:As we walk in the footsteps of history, we are confronted with the profound impact of military action on the course of our past. In the quiet contemplation of the World War I monument at Menard Park, the names of those who were lost during World War II engraved at the intersection of Broadway and 23rd Street, or the Korean War Memorial on 20th Street, we are reminded that history is not just a distant tale. Venturing into Seawolf Park, where the USS Cavalla and USS Stewart proudly stand, the Veteran Memorial at Seawolf Park invites us to share a moment of reflection, acknowledging the sacrifices made aboard these vessels during the largest American war of the 20th century. As we express our gratitude to all American veterans, I invite you to join in on commemorating their service to all of those American veterans out there, those who fought for our country and those who made the ultimate sacrifice. Thank you for your service.