Global War on Terrorism (GWOT) Memorials

Global War on Terrorism (GWOT) Memorials By COL, Ret. Arthur N. Tulak

The U.S. House of Representatives considered a bill (H.R. 1115, introduced by Rep. Jason Crow of Colorado, with 200 co-sponsors to include Ed Case of Hawaii) to authorize a location for the GWOT Memorial. The approval came in the form of an amendment to the National Defense Authorization Act of 2022 (H.R. 4350). This memorial would honor the more than 2.7 million men and women who served in the many named operations and conflicts that together comprise the GWOT. This is not the first effort to establish this memorial, which is traced back to Public Law 115-51, the Global War on Terrorism War Memorial Act, which President Donald J. Trump signed on August 18, 2017. In signing that law, President Trump clearws the way for construction of a memorial on Federal land in the District of Columbia to honoe LL U.S. service members who have fought in the war on terror, which includes a great many Companions of our Order. The corresponding Senate Bill to H.R. 1115 is S.535, “Global War on Terrorism Memorial Location Act,” which was paced on the Senate Legislative Calendar on December 16, 2021. The Global War on Terrorism Memorial Foundation, led by its President, Army Capt. Marina Jackman, must come up with at least 75% of the projected $50 million cost of the GWOT Memorial -- all through private donations -- before it can be built. The design will be selected via a contest of competing designs. Donations may be given on-line at https://www.gwotmemorialfoundation.org/

In the state of Hawaii, efforts to erect a GWOT memorial have been underway since 2010. COL, Ret. David Brostrom led the Gulf War Memorial Task Force under the Hawaii State DoD, which eventually recommended a GWOT memorial to cover then ongoing GWOT. I was privileged to serve on that Task Force, which submitted its recommendations to the Hawaii Congress in 2014. MOFW Hawaii members continue to endorse efforts to establish a Memorial for the Gulf War and Global War on Terrorism Veterans, and strongly recommends that the Committee act to implement the recommendations of the State’s Gulf War Memorial Task Force (GWMTF).

Recently, the Hawaii State Senate accepted testimony regarding Hawaii Senate Bill 2591, which would honor “the veterans of the Persian Gulf War, Operation Desert Storm,, Operation Iraqi Freedom, Operation Enduring Freedom, Operation New Dawn, Global War on Terrorism, Homeland Defense, and Operation Noble Eagle and those who have protected our borders by land, sea, and air.” As Secretary of the Hawaii Commandery, Military Order of Foreign Wars, I provided written testimony in support of the bill. We can be encouraged that the Hawaii Senate is considering this bill to ensure that the many generations of Veterans who have served in this ongoing war on terrorism are appropriately recognized for their combat service. Over the last five years since the Task Force gave its recommendations, the war on terror continues, as evidenced by the recent strike against ISIS terrorists in Syria last month. However, the purpose of the bill, to provide funds, is addressing a task that should have been accomplished shortly after the GWMTF submitted its findings in 2014. As reported by Col Ron Han at the 26 February Oahu Veterans Council meeting, SB 2591 currently making its way through committees.

The Gulf War, and subsequent military actions associated with the Global War on Terror, together represent the longest period of sustained military conflict carried out by generations of American service members. With U.S. Counter-Terrorism operations still underway, the Federal and State memorials will come at a critical time, and permit the citizens of our Nation and the State of Hawaii the means to honor the sacrifices of our military personnel from 1990 until today, and into the future. For the Hawaii effort, It is appropriate for Hawaii to follow the example of other states in erecting its monuments to these veterans, and in particular those who died in service to the nation. Other states have already erected GWOT Memorials of various forms. Pictured at right is the GWOT Memorial at the National Infantry Museum.