Moulton Introduces Bipartisan Legislation to Authorize National War on Terrorism Memorial

Today, Congressmen Seth Moulton (D-MA) and Ryan Zinke (R-MT) introduced bipartisan legislation to authorize a national memorial dedicated to those who have fought in the Global War on Terror (GWOT) following the September 11^th terrorist attacks. This week marks the 15-year anniversary of the attack and thus the beginning of the war. Under current law, Congress would have to wait ten years after a war is over to create a memorial. This bill would exempt the GWOT from this restriction and allow the GWOT Foundation to begin building a national memorial to honor the more than 4,500 American troops who fell in combat and the countless more who return home.

"As a Marine veteran, this effort to build a new memorial is especially meaningful to me as a way to honor the men and women who gave their lives in service to our country,” said Congressman Seth Moulton (D-MA). "We owe this to all of them, to their families, and to the young Americans who continue put their lives on the line for us today.”

"Modern warfare is asymmetrical and unconventional, which is partly why we have been at war for the longest period in our nation’s history fighting the War on Terror,” said Rep. Zinke, a retired Navy SEAL Commander and Commander of Joint Special Forces in Iraq (2004). “Our nation was plunged into war 15 years ago after the September 11th terrorist attacks, and yet we are unable to build a memorial because of government regulations that stipulate when and where a memorial can be built. That's not right. It's a disservice to the Warriors and to the families. I’m thankful to my colleague and fellow Iraq veteran, Rep. Seth Moulton, and for the team at the War on Global Terror Memorial Foundation for helping create legislation to honor our warriors and provide loved ones with a place to reflect. As somebody who has been to too many funerals for fallen soldiers, sailors, airmen, and marines, I can say without a doubt this memorial is greatly needed as part of the healing process."\

“Unlike past wars and conflicts, the Global War on Terror is one that had a marked beginning on 9/11, but has no definitive end. Therefore, it is important that we build a memorial on our National Mall in Washington, D.C. to commemorate the sacrifices made by those service members who did not come home from the battlefield, those who continue to serve in conflict zones, and their families. This includes members of our intelligence and diplomatic communities as well as our first responders on 9/11,” said Andrew Brennan, executive director of the Global War on Terror Memorial Foundation. “We are grateful to Congressman Zinke and Congressman Moulton for their leadership, support and commitment to enabling our organization to build a tangible symbol of our generation’s sacrifice. We look forward to the group healing, the ability to honor and remember, and the capacity to educate that this memorial will enable.”

The bill has the support of the Veterans of Foreign Wars and is sponsored by the following Members of Congress: Reps. Seth Moulton (D-MA), Ryan Zinke (R-MT), Mike Coffman (R-CO), Trent Franks (R-AZ), C.A. Dutch Ruppersberger (D-MD), Tulsi Gabbard (D-HI), Tim Walz (D-MN), Doug LaMalfa (R-CA), Jeff Denham (R-CA),  Dan Donovan (R-NY), Steve Russell (R-OK), David Rouzer (R-NC), Keith Rothfus (R-PA), Elise Stefanik (R-NY), Bill Huizenga (R-MI), Bradley Byrne (R-AL), Ann Wagner (R-MO), Cresent Hardy (R-NV).

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