Military and veterans groups rally in support of legislation to authorize construction of a memorial on the National Mall
WASHINGTON – Seven leading military and veterans service organizations joined the Global War on Terrorism (GWOT) Memorial Foundation at a congressional briefing to support the Global War on Terrorism Memorial Location Act (HR 5046).
Introduced in November 2019 by Reps. Jason Crow (D-CO) and Mike Gallagher (R-WI), the bill would authorize the construction of a lasting tribute to the service and sacrifice of all who have served in our nation’s longest war, located within the Reserve on the National Mall. The memorial would honor the service members and civilians who have served in all post-9/11 military operations, especially those who made the ultimate sacrifice.
Military and veterans service organizations in support of HR 5046 include the following:
- Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America
- National Military Family Association
- Student Veterans of America
- Team Rubicon
- Union Veterans Council
- Veterans of Foreign Wars
- With Honor Action
“We are honored and humbled by the enthusiastic support that these multiple veteran and military service organizations have shown for the initiative to place this memorial within the Reserve on the National Mall,” said Michael “Rod” Rodriguez, president and CEO of the GWOT Memorial Foundation. “We believe that through their selfless service, the all-volunteer armed forces and civilians who defend our nation have earned the right to be recognized with a memorial alongside our nation’s other major war memorials.
“Only by locating this memorial near the World War II, Korean War and Vietnam War memorials can we show the generations of Americans who have served, and will serve, in this war that their service is equally valued by our country.”
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Photos from the congressional briefing can be found here.
About the Global War on Terrorism Memorial Foundation
The Global War on Terrorism (GWOT) Memorial Foundation is the congressionally designated nonprofit organization whose mission is to lead the effort to plan, fund and build the National GWOT Memorial on the National Mall, in Washington, D.C., on a site befitting the historical significance of service in this war. The memorial will be a lasting tribute to the courage and sacrifice of all who have served, and especially those who gave their lives, in the nation’s longest war to protect our country, while inspiring all Americans to stand united behind those who continue to serve.
Since Sept. 11, 2001, about 6,970 service members have lost their lives in the global war on terrorism and 52,802 have been wounded. About 3,410 civilian government contractors have been killed in Afghanistan and Iraq, and 38,953 have sustained work-related injuries. The GWOT Memorial Foundation believes that both service members and civilians who have served in this war, their families and the American people deserve a fitting memorial where our country can learn about, reflect on and honor their endurance and sacrifice. More information can be found at gwotmf.org and on Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn and Instagram.
