Congress approves plans to build a Global War on Terror memorial
It will be a long process to plan and build, but it seems to be a good move.
Lawmakers on Thursday gave final approval to the idea of a Global War on Terror memorial, clearing the path for what is expected to be a years-long process of designing and building a tribute to the latest generation of veterans.
In wrap-up work before their summer recess, senators unanimously approved legislation that would allow planning of the memorial to begin immediately, instead of the normally mandated 10-year wait period after the end of a military conflict.
Supporters have argued that because the ongoing “war on terror” is open-ended, it could take decades before an official end is declared. By then, they worry, a generation of warfighters may have already died without seeing a tribute to their service.
“This memorial will be wholly dedicated to our 7,000 brothers and sisters who deployed with us but did not return, and their survivors,” said Andrew Brennan, founder and executive director of the Global War on Terror Memorial Foundation. “It is dedicated to the 1 million wounded warriors who are reclaiming their lives back here at home.