The Great War Alliance Forum, September 15, 2017 – Photos by Jenny Lehman

Attendees connect over coffee and breakfast ahead of the morning sessions of The Great War Alliance Forum.
Ambassador Stuart Holliday, President and CEO of Meridian International Center, kicks off the forum with opening remarks, welcoming guests and speakers alike for a day-long dialogue on the impact of World War I.
A forum attendee reviews the event program booklet, featuring speaker bios and an overview of the day.
From left, Ambassador Stuart Holliday begins a conversation about the origins of the trilateral alliance formed among the United States, Great Britain, and France at the onset of World War I with experts Dr. Paul Jankowski, Professor of History at Brandeis University, Michael G. Knapp, Director of Historical Services for the American Battle Monuments Commission, and Dr. Monique Seefried, Commissioner of the U.S. World War I Centennial Commission.
Dr. Monique Seefried, Commissioner of the U.S. World War I Centennial Commission, discusses the role of France during the formation of The Great War alliance.
From left to right Ambassador Stuart Holliday, Meridian International Center; Dr. Paul Jankowski, Brandeis University; and Michael G. Knapp, the American Battle Monuments Commission.
A guest poses a question to the panelists.
During audience Q&A, one guest poses a question about the role of American nuns who worked as nurses in France during WWI.
From left to right, Dr. Patricia Lewis, Research Director of International Security at Chatham House, discusses the nature of war with Dr. Jennifer Keene, Professor and Chair of the History Department at Chapman University and Jeffrey Sammons, Professor of History at New York University. Both Dr. Keene and Dr. Sammons are Historical Advisory Board Members of the U.S. World War I Centennial Commission.
Dr. Tara Leigh Tappert (far right corner) gives a presentation on the reflections and depictions of war through the arts including the influential work of novelist and journalist, Ernest Hemingway.
Dr. Jeffrey Sammons (left), a forum speaker, joins alongside fellow forum attendees as Ambassador Wilczek delivers his remarks.
His Excellency Piotr Wilczek, Ambassador of Poland to the U.S., delivers a speech examining the implications of WWI for Poland. He emphasized the friendly relationship that was formed between Poland and the United States as Poland gained independence after the conflict.
Ambassador Laurie S. Fulton, a Meridian Trustee, offers introductory remarks ahead of the keynote speech by His Excellency Piotr Wilczek, Ambassador of Poland to the U.S.
At head of table, from left to right, Dan Dayton, Executive Director of the U.S. World War I Centennial Commission, and Joseph Suarez, Chair of Maryland’s World War I Centennial Commission, engage forum participants in a dialogue about the educational initiatives of the Commissions at the national and local levels.
Forum attendees enjoy lunch and a conversation about the role of women during WWI at a small breakout session led by journalist Jamie Stiehm.
Atul Singh, CEO and Founder of Fair Observer, comments on the role of Indian soldiers during WWI
From left, Dr. Tara Leigh Tappert, Founder of The Arts & The Military, Megan Harris, Senior Reference Specialist for the Library of Congress Veterans History Project, and Lauren Katzenberg, Co-Founder and Managing Editor of Task & Purpose, discuss the role of art and media in societal perceptions of war and global conflict.
Lauren Katzenberg, Co-Founder and Managing Editor of Task & Purpose, discusses the evolution of art therapy for soldiers suffering from PTSD.
Megan Harris, Senior Reference Specialist for the Library of Congress Veterans History Project, explains the wide variety of information that has been found in the letters, journals and diaries of soldiers.
Joining among forum attendees for the afternoon, Dr. Paul Jankowski of Brandeis University, poses a question about the validity and accuracy of journals and diaries from soldiers exposed to the horrors of war.
From left to right, Dr. Patricia Lewis, Research Director of International Security at Chatham House sparks a debate about the technological future of war with Paul Scharre, Senior Fellow and Director of International Security at Center for a New American Security – CNAS, Dr. T.X. Hammes, Distinguished Fellow of the Center for Strategic Research at National Defense University, and Ian Wallace, Co-Director of Cybersecurity Initiative at New America.
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