WASHINGTON—After a years-long effort spearheaded by Senators Joni Ernst (R-Iowa) and Maggie Hassan (D-N.H.), bipartisan legislation to build a memorial on the National Mall honoring the veterans of the Global War on Terrorism was signed into law Dec. 27, guaranteeing that the memorial will soon become a reality.
Ernst, a combat veteran of the Global War on Terrorism, and Hassan, a member of the Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee, have worked across the aisle to garner strong support for their effort from more than 50 Democrats and Republicans in Congress, influential public figures, and the six surviving secretaries of Defense—spanning Democratic and Republican administrations. Their bill, the Global War on Terrorism Memorial Location Act, which proposes three locations for the memorial on the National Mall in Washington, D.C., was included as a part of the annual defense bill, the National Defense Authorization Act of Fiscal Year 2022, and is now law.
“In the wake of 9/11, millions of Americans answered the call to keep America safe, sacrificing life and limb to protect our homeland and to fight the enemies of freedom the world over,” said Ernst. “The time to honor these heroes of our nation’s longest war and their families is now, and there is no more fitting of a way to do that than with a memorial on our National Mall to serve as a permanent testament of their selflessness for generations to come. Today, after a years-long effort, I can proudly say that this memorial will soon become a reality. The time has finally come – it’s a done deal!”
“Our National Mall is a representation of our country’s history – the challenges we have faced and the sacrifices we have made for freedom. To not have a memorial to the brave men and women who fought in the Global War on Terrorism is inexcusable, and an injustice to our service members and their families who have given so much,” said Hassan. “Today, that changes. I am so honored to have helped lead this effort with Senator Ernst and to see this bill signed into law. It is a testament to the service members and their families who, have given so much to their country, and continued to advocate for this memorial’s rightful place on our National Mall.”
In 2017, through bipartisan legislation, Ernst helped create the Global War on Terrorism Memorial Foundation, a private foundation, to begin the process of pursuing the construction of a memorial and paving the way for today’s passage.
