The Global War on Terrorism Memorial Foundation held its first-ever “Ruck the Reserve” event Thursday to celebrate progress towards establishing a GWOT Memorial on the National Mall in Washington D.C.
The event, designed to reflect the spirit of a military ruck march, celebrated the Global War on Terrorism Memorial Location Act becoming law last December. The law authorizes the construction of a national Global War on Terrorism Memorial specifically in the Reserve area of the National Mall.
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“We were fortunate to have so many people join us on the National Mall, whose presence reaffirmed that Americans of all backgrounds and political persuasions firmly support a Global War on Terrorism Memorial in the Reserve area of the National Mall,” said Global War on Terror Memorial Foundation President and CEO Michael “Rod” Rodriguez.
Formed in 2015 by veterans, military spouses, and supportive Americans, the Global War on Terrorism Memorial Foundation is the nonprofit organization designated by Congress to lead the effort to plan, fund, and build the National GWOT Memorial on the National Mall in Washington, D.C.
The ruck brought together legislators, executive branch representatives, Gold Star families, and veteran advocacy group leaders in a procession that kicked off on the front steps of the Lincoln Memorial and made its way past other national war memorials on the National Mall for a distance of nearly three miles.
Participants carried various flags behind an American flag which was flown at the U.S. embassy in Somalia. Organizers said keeping the American flag at the head of the ruck conveyed that the diverse supporters of the effort are ultimately united behind the goal of honoring all who have served and sacrificed in the Global War on Terrorism, whether in a uniformed or non-uniformed role.
Sen. Joni Ernst (R-IA) said she was honored to take part in the inaugural event and to join alongside veterans, advocates, and Gold Star families in proudly saying that the Global War on Terrorism Memorial will soon become a reality on the National Mall in Washington, D.C. Ernst is a veteran of the Global War on Terrorism and a co-sponsor of the GWOT Memorial Location Act.
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“Last December, after a years-long, hard-fought effort, I was proud to get my bipartisan measure with Sen. Maggie Hassan to build the Global War on Terrorism Memorial across the finish line to honor the heroes who served in our nation’s longest war for generations to come, and I cannot wait to see it come together,” she said.
Hassan (D-NH) the GWOT will forever shape the lives of service members, veterans, and their families.
“This ruck march was a chance to come together and honor the service and sacrifice of those who served in the Global War on Terrorism in the shadow of our nation’s most historic, sacred monuments,” she said.
GWOT veteran and co-sponsor of the GWOT Memorial Location Act Rep. Mike Gallagher (R-WI) said there is no better place to honor the service and sacrifice of GWOT veterans than the National Mall.
“The ruck was an incredible way to come together and celebrate this important milestone,” he said.
The memorial will be entirely funded by donations and is expected to cost about $50 million. No federal government funding will be used. All donations are 100% tax-deductible. To learn more, visit here.
Reach Julia LeDoux at Julia@connectingvets.com.