25 APR 2017
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senators Joni Ernst (R-IA), a combat veteran, and Joe Manchin (D-WV) introduced bipartisan legislation to authorize the Global War on Terrorism Memorial Foundation, a private foundation, to begin the process of pursuing the construction of a memorial on the National Mall in Washington, D.C. The memorial will honor our men and women in uniform, the fallen servicemembers, their families, and all those who have been impacted by our nation’s longest war.
“The ongoing Global War on Terrorism has impacted the lives of millions of Americans across our nation,”said Senator Ernst. “Though nothing will ever be able to bring back those we have lost, this will serve as a tribute to the brave men and women and their loved ones who have sacrificed in the defense of our freedom and who fight for those across the globe who do not have those same freedoms. It is my hope that this memorial will serve as a place of healing and reflection for servicemembers, veterans and the families of our fallen, as well as a reminder of the heroic acts of many for generations to come.”
“Throughout our country we have many memorials to remember those who we have lost and those who have sacrificed in conflicts throughout our history and in wars across the globe,” Senator Manchin said.“But we have yet to erect a memorial for the men and women in uniform, Fallen servicemembers and their families who have served their country courageously in our nation’s longest war – the Global War on Terror. This memorial will serve as a place for families and loved ones to reflect and honor their service and remind Americans of the human cost of war. I am proud to join my colleague Senator Ernst in introducing this important legislation to memorialize all of the servicemembers we have lost and all of those who have served in the war on terror.”
This authorization is the first step in a process that will culminate with the design and construction of a Global War on Terror Memorial on the National Mall without using any federal funds.
The bipartisan companion legislation was introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives by Congressmen Mike Gallagher (R-WI) and Seth Moulton (D-MA).
Additionally, this legislation has received support from The Veterans of Foreign Wars of the US (VFW), Iraq And Afghanistan Veterans Of America (IAVA), Wounded Warrior Project, The Military Order of the Purple Heart, American Veterans (AMVETS), American Goldstar Mothers, Student Veterans of America, The Green Beret Foundation, Team Rubicon, The Mission Continues, Team Red White and Blue, Travis Manion Foundation, Got Your Six, Warrior Expeditions, Union Veteran Council of the AFL-CIO, and Tragedy Assistance Program For Survivors (TAPS).
