Letter to President Joseph R. Biden - For Country Caucus Urges President Biden to Support Global War on Terrorism Memorial

Letter

Dear President Biden,
Since the start of the Global War on Terrorism in 2001, over 2.7 million Americans have served in the United States Armed Forces. More than 60,000 have been wounded, and over 7,000 service members have lost their lives in service to our country. Although these conflicts have taken a tremendous toll on our service members, veterans, and their families, there is no national memorial dedicated to honoring their sacrifice. On behalf of our fellow veterans across the country we, the twenty five military veterans of the For Country Caucus, request your formal support of H.R. 1115 and S. 535, the Global War on Terrorism Memorial Location Act.

The For Country Caucus is a bipartisan veteran caucus in Congress. Each of our members served
honorably in the U.S. Armed Forces with the majority of our members serving after the September 11th attacks, including several who fought in Iraq and Afghanistan. Our Nation witnessed the power of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial to bring together veterans of that war, their families, and fellow Americans to honor the fallen. A memorial on the National Mall is vital to recognizing the sacrifice of our service members, veterans, and civilian personnel in the Global War on Terrorism. Such a memorial would stand as an enduring symbol of their service, sacrifice, and by extension a place of healing.

Enacted in 2017 with unanimous support from both Chambers, H.R. 873, the Global War on Terrorism War Memorial Act authorized the creation of a Global War on Terrorism Memorial and a foundation to oversee funding and construction of the project. Passage and enactment of the Global War on Terrorism Memorial Location Act is the final step needed to authorize the construction of the memorial on the National Mall. These efforts, led by combat veterans Jason Crow (D-CO) and Mike Gallagher (R-WI) in the House and combat veteran Joni Ernst (R-IA) and Maggie Hassan (D-NH) in the Senate attracted broad bipartisan support. Over 100 co-sponsored in the House and ten in the Senate joined the effort. In the 117th Congress, ninety two Members in the House and nine in the Senate have already joined in support. In addition, there is a large and growing coalition of veteran service organizations supporting this effort, including the American Legion, Veterans of Foreign Wars, Wounded Warrior Project, Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America, Student Veterans of American, National Military Family Association, Team Rubicon, and many others.

Throughout your long history of public service, you have supported legislation to create the World
War II, Korean War, and Vietnam Veterans memorials. Supporting the creation of the Global War on Terrorism Memorial would be a continuation of your commitment to ensuring recognition of our nation's service members, veterans, and civilians for their service. With your endorsement, we are confident this memorial will quickly gain the support needed to become law.

Respectfully,

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