WASHINGTON — The national commander of the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States is saluting President Trump for signing the VFW-supported Global War on Terrorism Memorial Act into law late Friday. The signing now clears the way for the GWOT Memorial Foundation to work with the National Capital Memorial Advisory Commission to secure federal approval for acreage on the National Mall, as well as coordinate a national competition for the memorial’s design. It also exempts the GWOT Memorial from a provision in the Commemorative Works Act of 1986 that requires Congress to wait 10 years after the official end of a military conflict before considering a war memorial in the nation’s capital.
“Sixteen years ago, no one would have thought it possible for America to fight a nonstop, multi-front war for so long with just an all-volunteer force,” said VFW National Commander Keith Harman, who served in Vietnam as a UH-1 Huey helicopter crew chief and door gunner. “That we have — that they have — and continue to do so magnificently, is a testament not only to this generation’s patriotism but of their character, as well. The VFW is very proud to support this memorial, and we are extremely proud that VFW members are the driving force behind its creation.”
The GWOT Memorial Foundation founder and executive director, Andrew Brennan, is a life member of VFW Post 3945 in Pittsburgh. The legislation was introduced in the House by Rep. Mike Gallagher (R-Wis.), a life member of VFW Post 2037 in Green Bay, Wis., and Rep. Seth Moulton, a member of VFW Post 2005 in Marblehead, Mass. Its companion bill in the Senate was introduced by Sen. Joni Ernst (R-Iowa), a life member of VFW Post 2265 in Red Oak, Iowa, and Sen. Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.), a strong veterans’ advocate who also co-chairs the Senate Post-9/11 Veterans Caucus.
“This historic signing is dedicated to our 3 million brothers and sisters who have deployed in the Global War on Terror, especially to the ones we have lost, and those who face great obstacles since their return home,” said Brennan, a West Point graduate, who served in Afghanistan as a UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter pilot. “I’m very proud of the VFW’s early support, and when the time comes, I look forward to a significant presence at the memorial’s groundbreaking and its grand opening, hopefully alongside our nation’s other war memorials.”
Follow the memorial’s progress on the GWOT Memorial Foundation website.