Desert Storm vets to get their own memorial

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Photo credit National Desert Storm War Memorial Association

The National Desert Storm and Desert Shield Memorial is one step closer to becoming a reality in the nation’s capital. A site dedication ceremony was held this week at its location near the Lincoln Memorial.

“This war memorial is for each and every one of us,” said Scott C. Stump, CEO and president of the National Desert Storm War Memorial Association, which is in the process of raising money to construct the monument and finalizing its concept and design.

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According to Stump, $2.5 million of the $34 million that is needed to build the memorial has been raised.

On Aug. 2, 1990, Iraq invaded Kuwait, leading to the formation of an international coalition of 34 nations led by the United States. The coalition sought to liberate Kuwait from Iraq’s control through first political and when that failed military means. When Iraq did not meet a Jan. 15, 1991 United Nations mandate to leave Kuwait, a four-week aerial bombardment campaign began. That was followed by a 100-hour ground offensive that restored Kuwaiti sovereignty.

More than 380 coalition troops were killed during the operations, including 148 American service members.

“Although remembering our fallen is of utmost importance, this will not be a place of mourning,” he continued. “Instead, the efforts and achievements of Operations Desert Storm and Desert Shield will be remembered and celebrated through the memorial.”

Speakers at the dedication ceremony included former Vice President Dick Cheney, who served as defense secretary during Desert Storm and Desert Shield.

“Desert Storm was so swift and certain in its result that to some, in retrospect, it looked almost easy,” he said.  

The memorial itself is designed to resemble an arc and the structure itself will be made of limestone. Stump hopes it is completed before Veterans Day 2021.

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