Megan Taylor, second from right, is the Global War on Terrorism Memorial Foundation’s inaugural Gold Star Child Fellow, and a member of the Foundation’s Design Advisory Council.
By Megan Taylor
As a rising sophomore at George Washington University in Washington, D.C., I’m fortunate to be able to walk a few blocks to the National Mall whenever I want to enjoy the beauty and serenity of that space.
It won’t be long before I’ll have another reason to walk there: It will soon be the home of the National Global War on Terrorism (GWOT) Memorial.
When I was thirteen years old, my father, Utah Army National Guard Major Brent Taylor, was killed in action outside Kabul, Afghanistan while on his fourth combat deployment. When I think about my dad, I remember a man who was a servant-hearted leader and patriot. Whether he was working as our town’s mayor, lovingly raising his seven children, or proudly putting on his U.S. Army fatigues, my dad was defined by his commitment to serving others. In the context of the Global War on Terrorism, my dad wasn’t alone. At least hundreds of thousands of men and women have served and sacrificed on behalf of our nation since 9/11, and more than 7,000 of them have been killed while in uniform.
Consequently, my experience as a Gold Star Child is more common for American youth than many may realize. There are thousands of children across the country who each day grieve the loss of a mother or father who gave themselves on the altar of freedom. We are those who have had our worst nightmare come true. We know the true meaning of sacrifice. We’ve learned resilience at a young age, and how to appreciate things while you still have them.
At the same time, many of us carry with us a special duty to honor those we have lost. To that end, I’ve been privileged to be the Global War on Terrorism’s first-ever Gold Star Child Fellow. It’s an honor to build bonds with other Gold Star family members, give input on what the Memorial should look like, and work with a team which is dedicated to honoring heroes like my dad.
This past Memorial Day, I stood shoulder to shoulder with other Gold Star family members and veterans as “Taps” was played on the site of the Global War on Terrorism Memorial. As those haunting notes pierced the air, I kept thinking how surreal it was that this spot would soon be transformed into sacred ground where Gold Star family members and all Americans can come to honor, heal, be empowered, and unite. Building the Memorial is the least we can do for those who gave their least breath for our country.
Constructing a memorial dedicated to our Global War on Terrorism personnel will also help educate present and future generations about the conflict. I’ve noticed a lack of awareness among my peers about the Global War on Terrorism in general, and few people my age have had the experience of sending a family member off to war. Building the Memorial where it belongs—beside other war memorials on the National Mall—will help close the knowledge gap about a multi-generational war that continues today, long after the smoke from 9/11 has cleared.
My dad was a big lover of history and politics, so it’s no surprise he also loved Washington, D.C. It’s only fitting that a Memorial that will honor brave servants like him will have a home in our nation’s capital. I know that he would have loved to see his brothers and sisters in arms be recognized here, too. As the nation recognizes Gold Star Children’s Day on August 1, I can’t wait for the day when this sanctuary to all who have participated in the Global War on Terrorism is finished. My dad may be gone, but I’ll always be able to feel his spirit with me on this sacred ground.
Megan Taylor is the Global War on Terrorism Memorial Foundation’s inaugural Gold Star Child Fellow, and a member of the Foundation’s Design Advisory Council.
