Stars and Stripes: Iraq War Veterans' Bill would Pave Way for National Global War on Terror Memorial

WASHINGTON — Legislation introduced Monday evening by two congressmen could pave the way for a national memorial honoring the veterans of America’s longest and most recent wars – the post-9/11 conflicts in Afghanistan and Iraq.

Reps. Ryan Zinke, R-Mont., and Seth Moulton, D-Mass., who both served in Iraq, submitted the bill that would exempt the proposed Global War on Terrorism Memorial from a three-decade-old law that prohibits the building of a national war memorial “until 10 years after the officially designated end of such war or conflict.”

“Unlike most monuments that are built post-conflict, this would be a memorial that recognizes not only those that we have lost, but it is also a memorial that recognizes that this is a nation that remains at war,” Zinke said Monday. “The global war on terrorism is far from over, but building this memorial to those who have fought and those who will fight in the future would be an impressive message both for veterans and for America.”

The retired Navy SEAL officer said he anticipated wide-spread support for the bill that he and former Marine Corps officer Moulton authored. Twelve Republicans and four Democrats co-sponsored the bill, which is supported by the Veterans of Foreign Wars.

“This is a very bi-partisan, pro-American issue,” Zinke said. “I would be shocked if anyone would not support it.”

After 15 years of war, it is time to begin preparations to construct a national monument to honor the nearly 2.8 million Americans who have served in Afghanistan and Iraq since the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks, said Andrew Brennan, the founder and executive director of the Global War on Terror Memorial Foundation. The legislation introduced Monday would name Brennan’s foundation the official nonprofit organization in charge of the memorial.

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