The Global War on Terrorism Memorial Foundation

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The Global War on Terrorism Memorial Foundation is an American non-profit organization dedicated to planning, funding, and building a memorial focused on the Global War on Terrorism on the National Mall in Washington, D.C.[1]

History[edit]

The Global War on Terror Memorial Foundation was formed in 2015 as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit corporation by a small group of like-minded veterans, military spouses, and citizens seeking to honor the service and sacrifice of all who served in the Global War on Terrorism.[2] In its first two years of existence, the foundation lobbied the United States Congress to pass the Global War on Terrorism Memorial Act. The legislation, which passed the U.S. House of Representatives and U.S. Senate by unanimous consent and was signed into law by President Donald Trump on August 18, 2017, authorized the establishment of a national war memorial on federal land in Washington, D.C.[3] The Global War on Terrorism Memorial Act entrusts the foundation to oversee the fundraising, design, and construction of the memorial in accordance with federal law, and exempts the memorial from the customary 10-year statutory waiting period after the formal conclusion of the associated conflict. It also prohibits the use of federal funds for the memorial.[4]

From 2019 to 2021, the foundation advocated for the passage of a piece of companion legislation, the Global War on Terrorism Memorial Location Act, which authorizes construction of a memorial specifically within the Reserve area of the National Mall.[5] This legislation passed the House of Representatives as an amendment to the fiscal year 2022 National Defense Authorization Act on September 23, 2021.[6] On December 15, 2021, the U.S. Senate passed the FY 2022 NDAA, thus securing congressional approval for a memorial on the National Mall.[7] President Joe Biden signed the legislation into law on December 27, 2021.[8]

Construction of a memorial[edit]

The construction of a memorial on federal land in Washington, D.C., is a 24-step process as set forth by the National Capital Planning Commission.[9] As of May 2022, the foundation is in the midst of completing steps 9–12 of the NCPC's prescribed process, including the selection of an appropriate site for the memorial inside the National Mall.

Leadership[edit]

Michael "Rod" Rodriguez, a former U.S. Army Green Beret, became the president and CEO of the foundation on January 3, 2022.[10] President George W. Bush serves as the foundation's Honorary Chairman.[11] The foundation's leadership structure also entails a board of directors. The chairman of the board is Theodore "Ted" Skokos, a retired U.S. Army officer and entrepreneur.[12]

References[edit]

  1. ^ Gonzalez, John (17 November 2021). "Group pushes for construction of Global War on Terrorism Memorial on National Mall". WJLA-ABC 7, Washington, D.C. ABC News. Retrieved January 3, 2022.
  2. ^ "Global War on Terrorism Memorial Foundation". ProPublica.org. 17 May 2022. Retrieved May 17, 2022.
  3. ^ "Trump signs bill authorizing memorial to service members who fought in war on terror". ABCNews.com. 19 August 2017. Retrieved May 17, 2022.
  4. ^ "H.R.873 - Global War on Terrorism War Memorial Act". Congress.gov. 18 August 2017. Retrieved January 3, 2022.
  5. ^ "Where the National Global War on Terrorism Memorial stands". Axios. November 11, 2019. Retrieved May 17, 2022.
  6. ^ "H.R.4350 - National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2022". Congress.gov. Retrieved January 3, 2022.
  7. ^ "NDAA grants Global War on Terrorism Memorial a location on National Mall". Stars and Stripes. Retrieved May 17, 2022.
  8. ^ Singh, Kanishka (27 December 2021). "U.S. President Biden signs $770 billion defense bill". Reuters. Retrieved January 3, 2022.
  9. ^ "Congress Gives Thumbs Up to Global War on Terrorism Memorial at Prime Spot on National Mall". Military.com. 16 December 2021. Retrieved May 17, 2022.
  10. ^ "Familiar Face Returns to Lead Global War on Terrorism Memorial Effort". The Well News. Retrieved May 17, 2022.
  11. ^ "If Congress acts, we may soon have a Global War on Terrorism Memorial on the Mall". Dallas Morning News. 18 November 2019. Retrieved May 17, 2022.
  12. ^ "Three Veterans Join Effort to Build Global War on Terror Memorial". Veterans News Report. 5 March 2019. Retrieved May 17, 2022.

External links[edit]

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