WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Global War on Terrorism Memorial Foundation (GWOTMF) is proud to announce the Global War on Terrorism Memorial Act became law today after receiving President Trump’s signature. The law exempts the Global War on Terrorism memorial from a 10-year waiting period by the Commemorative Works Act of 1986, and authorizes GWOTMF to oversee the fundraising, design, and construction of the memorial.
“Today’s historic signing is dedicated to our 3 million brothers and sisters who have deployed in the Global War on Terror, especially to the ones we have lost, and those who face great obstacles since their return home,” said Andrew J. Brennan, GWOTMF founder and executive director. “We’re looking forward to building a sacred place of healing and remembrance for our veterans and their families and want to thank our partners and advocated who worked tirelessly on Capitol Hill to pass this bipartisan legislation.”
The foundation will work closely with the National Capital Memorial Advisory Commission to secure federal approval for acreage on the National Mall and coordinate a national competition for the memorial’s design.
H.R. 873 and its Senate companion bill S. 926 were introduced by GWOT veterans, Representatives Mike Gallagher (R-WI) and Seth Moulton (D-MA) in the House and Senator Joni Ernst (R-IA), along with Senator Joe Manchin, co-chair of the Senate Post-9/11 Veterans Caucus. The bill was formally endorsed in March by a national coalition of 16 veteran service organizations including: VFW; Got Your 6; IAVA; Travis Manion Foundation; Wounded Warrior Project; Team Rubicon; The Mission Continues; Green Beret Foundation; AmVets; Union Veteran Council AFL-CIO; United War Veterans Council; TAPS; Student Veterans of America; The Veterans Group; American Gold Star Mothers; Warrior Expeditions; and Team Red White & Blue.
About the Global War on Terrorism Memorial Foundation
The mission of the Global War on Terrorism Memorial Foundation is to provide the organizing, fundraising and coordinating efforts to build a memorial on the National Mall in Washington D.C. to honor our fallen warriors, U.S. servicemembers, their families and all those who supported our nation’s longest war. The objective is to create a tangible symbol of the sacrifices made by fallen U.S. service members and their families in support of the Global War on Terror. Since Sept. 11, 2001, nearly 3 million Americans have deployed in support of the Global War on Terrorism. Of those servicemembers, close to 7,000 have been killed, with 52,000 wounded in action and an estimated 20 percent of GWOT veterans returning home grappling with PTSD. Visit www.gwotmf.org for more information and ‘Like Us’ on Facebook to get all the latest updates at www.facebook.com/gwotmf.
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