Apr 07, 2017
KANSAS CITY, Mo. – April 11 marks the 26th anniversary of the official end of Operation Desert Storm. The war, which lasted six weeks in the air and 100 hours on the ground, proved not only the devastating lethality of the U.S. military, but also that it was extremely capable of fighting as an interoperable and expeditionary force against what was then the fourth largest standing army in the world.
Each of the nearly 700,000 American soldiers, sailors, airmen, Marines, and Coast Guardsmen who served in the Gulf helped to achieve the victory, but the success did come with a price of 374 dead, 467 wounded, and two servicemen whose remains have yet to return home.
As the public’s attention of the war fades with time, the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States remains dedicated to remembering all Gulf War veterans, and ensuring that their sacrifices are never forgotten. The VFW has successfully pushed for legislation to expand the list of presumptive service-connected ailments associated with service in the Gulf, and to date, the VFW is the only major veterans service organization to pledge $500,000 toward the construction of the National Desert Storm War Memorial.
“The VFW is proud to serve those whose bravery and resolve helped to liberate a nation,” said Gulf War veteran and VFW National Commander Brian Duffy. “Please join us on Tuesday to remember all who served.”